Literary notes about Monogram (AI summary)
The use of the word "monogram" in literature spans from symbols of official authority to markers of refined personal taste. In historical and official contexts, it appears as an emblem of authenticity—consider the monogram copied from Charlemagne’s seal ([1]) or the official mark of an Italian notary in the thirteenth century ([2]), with even a distinctive notary flourish noted as a "fanciful distinctive monogram" ([3]). At the same time, monograms serve a decorative function in descriptions of luxury goods. They embellish fine household items such as tablecloths, linens, napkins, and towels in Emily Post’s etiquette guides ([4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10]), and add a touch of elegance to personal belongings like the gold-adorned writing-case in The Secret Garden ([11], [12]). This varied usage, further illustrated by artistic depictions on a slender wooden fence ([13]) and playful exchanges in detective fiction ([14]), demonstrates the monogram’s evolution from a signifier of identity and authority to a subtle mark of style and individuality in literary expression.
- The annexed monogram of Charlemagne has been copied from Peringskiold, “Annotationes in Vitam Theodorici,” p.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - The annexed monogram was the official mark of an Italian notary, Nicolaus Ferenterius, who lived in 1236.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - The peculiar flourish before the Notary's name is what is called the Tabellionato , a fanciful distinctive monogram which each Notary adopted.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano - One tablecloth, six or eight yards long, of finest but untrimmed damask with embroidered monogram on each side, or four corners.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - One to six dozen finest quality linen sheets, plain hemstitched, large monogram.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - One or two dozen damask tablecloths, plain, with monogram, and a dozen napkins to match each.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - All tablecloths and napkins to have embroidered monogram or initials.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - Thin white paper, with monogram or address stamped in gray to match gray tissue lining of the envelope is, for instance, in very best taste.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - One to six dozen finest quality linen under-sheets, narrow hem and small monogram.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - One to two dozen very large bath towels, with embroidered monogram, either white or in color to match the border of towels.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post - There were two or three games and there was a beautiful little writing-case with a gold monogram on it and a gold pen and inkstand.
— from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - There were two or three games and there was a beautiful little writing-case with a gold monogram on it and a gold pen and inkstand.
— from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - The slender wooden fence, fashioned into a monogram, shone with ribbons of gay daisies.
— from Pan Tadeusz; or, The last foray in Lithuania by Adam Mickiewicz - “The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather.” “Not at all.
— from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
