About this template
The Vellum template is a senior letter on textured vellum: Caslon Italic for the name, Caslon Regular for the body, ox-blood ink, no rules, no logo. The paper does all the work — calligraphic without imitating handwriting. Compatible with the ATS systems of academic and cultural institutions (Workday at the British Library, Bodleian Libraries, Vatican Library, the Metropolitan Museum, the Royal Society, the American Philosophical Society).
Who is it for?
It suits senior executives applying to academy chairs, learned-society elections, museum boards (Met, V&A, British Museum, MoMA, the Prado), manuscript-collection curatorships (Bodleian, Vatican Library, Beinecke Library) and rare-book trade boards (Sotheby's Books & Manuscripts, Christie's Books). Academicians, fellows, museum trustees, manuscript curators and rare-book associates. Out of place in tech, modern finance or any contemporary commercial path.
How to use it
The vellum texture is extremely subtle — it must never tip into visible pattern. At print time, choose cream stock 140 gsm Conqueror Wove or G.F. Smith Colorplan. The hook opens with a full courtesy formula ("Dear Fellow", "Madam Chief Curator"). Paragraph 2 cites your publications, conferences or curated exhibitions in editorial shorthand. A handwritten signature in ox-blood ink (Pelikan 4001 Konzentrate Brilliant-Red), scanned at 600 dpi, signs at the bottom.
Frequently asked questions
Is the letter suitable for a Royal Society election?
Yes for Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS), British Academy Fellowship (FBA) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences — which require a vellum-grade protocol register. The application must be sponsored by two current Fellows and goes through the election cycle. Attach your full bibliography as a separate annex.
Should I list the manuscript collections I have catalogued?
Yes in paragraph 2: "Catalogued the Beinecke Voltaire collection (340 autograph items), inventoried the Pierre Bergé fund at the BnF (8,000 volumes)". These mentions are direct signals to conservation committees.
Is it suitable for the rare-book trade?
Yes for Sotheby's Books & Manuscripts, Christie's Books, Maggs Bros (London), Pierre Bergé & Associés (Paris) — which appreciate the Vellum register in senior correspondence. Mention your expertise by century (16th, 17th, 18th), by language (Latin, Greek, Hebrew) or by collection (incunabula, books of hours, atlases).
