Unlocking History number (UH#)

UH6171


Original

Romare Bearden’s illustrated aerogramme to Billie Allen, 1979 (Sint Maarten).


Model and research notes

MIT Libraries, Unlocking History Research Group archive, MC0760, Box 54.


Letterlocking Unique Video number(s) (LUV #s) & Instructional video(s) URL

LUV287 https://youtu.be/6xOVttt7Pu0

Instructional video info transcription

Forthcoming


Letterlocking Category number (LC #)

LC05L


Letterlocking Format number (LF #)

4RW


Security score

Low


Assessment of Confidence in assigning LC#

Attested


Substrate

Paper


Dimensions

Opened (in mm):        H: 300 mm tall x W: 105 mm

Letterpacket (in mm): H: 100 mm tall x W: 105 mm


Manifestation

Opened


Distinctive letterlocking style(s)

Fold-and-send stationery


Locking mechanism

Lock


Security enhancements

NA 


Letterlocking category formula (shorthand)

LC29 

Fold + Adhere + Lock-SA

(F + A + LSA)


Letterlocking manipulation sequence (shorthand)

Fold + fold + fold LSA + fold LSA + fold LSA + adhere


Locking instructions

Write letter. Roll-fold bottom to top edge two times. Keep folded. 

Fold lock-SA along the short edges and the top edge of the letterpacket, Unfold. Activate adhesive with moisture. Fold over and adhere locks.


Images 

Romare Bearden intellectual property letter image: © 2025 Romare Bearden Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. 


Foldable

Available in Jana Dambrogio, Daniel Starza Smith, and the Unlocking History Research Group. Letterlocking, The Hidden History of the Letter. Cambridge and London: MIT Press, 2025. 


Step-by-steps 

Available in Jana Dambrogio, Daniel Starza Smith, and the Unlocking History Research Group. Letterlocking, The Hidden History of the Letter. Cambridge and London: MIT Press, 2025.


Substrate map

Available in Jana Dambrogio, Daniel Starza Smith, and the Unlocking History Research Group. Letterlocking, The Hidden History of the Letter. Cambridge and London: MIT Press, 2025.


Virtual unfolding results

NA


Manipulations

Writing: NA

Postal: Postage marks 

Opening: Tears

Filing (Storage, Display): NA

Repair: NA


Damage

NA


Features

NA


Article(s)


Book 

Jana Dambrogio and Daniel Starza Smith with the Unlocking History Research Group. Letterlocking: The Hidden History of the Letter. Cambridge and London: MIT Press, 2025.


Citation for the letter(s)


UH6171

Original

Romare Bearden to Billie Allen, Sint Maarten (1979). Walter O. Evans, MD, and Linda J. Evans private collection."         

Romare Bearden intellectual property letter image: © 2025 Romare Bearden Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. 


Model

MIT Libraries, Unlocking History Research Group archive, MC0760, Box 54.


Video

LUV287

Jana Dambrogio, Walter O. Evans, MD, Sheree M. Watson, MD, Linda J. Evans, and the Unlocking History Research Group, “Romare Bearden’s illustrated aerogramme to Billie Allen, 1979 (Sint Maarten)”. Unlocking History number 6171/Letterlocking Unique Video number: 286. Letterlocking Instructional Videos. Filmed: 6 March 2023. Duration: 2:20. Posted: November 19, 2024. Video URL: https://youtu.be/6xOVttt7Pu0. Date accessed: March 4, 2025.


Romare Bearden intellectual property letter image: © 2025 Romare Bearden Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. 




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