A phrase from historical newspaper personal ads, explained with real examples from the archive.
A numbered box at the newspaper where replies to an ad were collected, so the writer never had to print a name or address.
| Type | Historical language |
|---|---|
| Category | Reply and contact |
| Earliest example in the archive | May 27, 1877, Chicago Daily Tribune |
| Most common | 1850s to the 1990s |
The reply box is the most common single feature in this archive. An ad would end Address X 58, Tribune office, or Box 210 Tribune, and the paper held any letters that came in until the writer collected them. It let people advertise for a husband, a wife, or a missed connection without anyone in town knowing who had placed the ad. Some writers used a pen name instead of a number, like Navy or Confidence at the Washington Evening Star.
MATRIMONY.—A TRADESMAN, in a pleasant part of London, wishes to meet with a PARTNER for LIFE. A handsome face is not so much his wish as an agreeable, prudent Person; a…
PERSONAL—FRIDAY, 5 P. M. WILL LADY IN black in drug store who recognized gents on corner send address to A 16, Tribune office.
A YOUNG LADY OF MEANS WILL BE pleased to correspond with a young gentleman of position and polished habits. Ultimate object, matrimony. Address E. A. S., Democrat office.
PERSONAL—A LADY OF 40 DESIRES THE ACquaintance of a few gentlemen over that age. Address X 58, Tribune office.
PERSONAL—INDIANA-AV. CAR TO TWENTY-third-st., 5:30 p. m. yesterday: will "Bouquet" (second occasion) grant acquaintance? Address "Opposite," Z 55, Tribune office.
PERSONAL—TWO LADIES YESTERDAY P. M., Washington-st., last at Boston store. Short lady please address Y 99. Tribune office.
PERSONAL—BALCONY, SEC. C, SATURDAY afternoon, Haverly's. If agreeable, will lady please communicate with gentleman on right? Address E 71, Tribune office.
PERSONAL—A YOUNG MAN WITH a good business wishes to form the acquaintance of some lady with some means; object matrimony. Please address, in confidence, B 85, Tribune…
A gentleman, widower, age 60, holding an official position, wishes to correspond with a lady from 40 to 55, having means. Advertiser can introduce her to some of the…
A gentleman, aged 28, fair, curly hair, height 5 feet 7 inches, Christian, Conservative, very fond of music, science, literature, lawn-tennis, riding, and travelling,…
A real good girl wanted at once for matrimonial purposes, by a steady man, in the North-West Territory. Never mind looks, so long as the heart is in the right place.…
A man, age 35, begins to feel kind of lonely-like. and thinks that it is time he got married. Communication desired from a good, steady woman about the same age, and if…
A milkman is in love with a hired girl who lives on Jarvis street. She is about medium height and weight, dark, and say 21 years old. If she should recognize the…
Advertiser is a rather stout young woman, aged 22, wants to marry a good looking fellow, with not any very bad faults, have $200 saved to help to start housekeeping…
Carrie B., aged 19, considered rather good-looking, would like to get married, but would rather be “an old man’s darling than a young man’s slave.” Address, Box 1030,…
A healthy girl, aged 20, living in London, England, would like to come out to Canada and marry a farmer, not afraid of rough life. Address, Box 1048, Matrimonial Journal…
Widow, aged 40, short, stout, but active and pleasant, with three children, grown up, would like to marry again. Has $300 saved, and a small store. Address, Box 1056,…
WILL YOUNG LADY WHO WORE BOUQUET OF pink roses on navy-yard car, and got off at 8th and G sts. s.e., at 6 p.m. April 24th, communicate with gentleman who sat just in…
WILL YOUNG LADY WHO, FRIDAY EVENING about 8 o'clock, rode in 14th. st. car with a gentleman from L st. and changed for Georgetown, and who noticed gentleman seated in…
An industrious Scotchman, aged 30 years, wants to correspond with a frugal and industrious lady of 25 or 30 years, with a view to matrimony. Must exchange photographs.…
WILL the lady who sat in the first balcony of the Tabor Grand last Saturday night and received business card from gentleman please reply to this and give address?…
GENTLEMAN, age 30, has rich claim Klondike, wishes lady of some means to accompany him. Box 1479, Call office.
WILL lady with dark eyes and red dress, on Elitch car Friday 4·15 p. m. send address to J-166, News.
PERSONAL—Will gentleman who smiled at lady Sunday afternoon going home from Chutes park, address O-225, News.
PERSONAL—A HARDWORKING, HONEST widow, struggling to support her little family, would like to meet a good and true-hearted old gentleman (widower) of wealth; object,…
AM A NEW YORK MAN, young, good-looking, clever; returned this week from Atlin solely for purpose meeting young maiden or widow matrimonially inclined with some capital…
WANTED—By gentleman who has few leisure hours in the evening to form the acquaintance of lady. Object matrimony. Address, "Frank," care Herald Democrat.
A lady would like to correspond with a middle-aged gentleman, object matrimony. No triflers need apply. A miner preferred. Address 1144, Times office.
MIDDLE-AGED professional gentleman from the East; desires the acquaintance of a lady; object matrimony. Box 555, Call office.
YOUNG man, 26, stranger in city, desires lady acquaintance, object matrimony. Address T-240, News.
MIDDLE-AGED widow, with some means, is desirous of meeting gentleman, with view to matrimony. Address S 8, Bee.
I AM a business man, aged 40, good home and several thousand dollars; would marry. Address S 9, Bee.
GENTLEMAN of middle age, good appearance, some means, wishes correspondence with lady matrimonially inclined; give full description. Address X-123. News.
REFINED lady of good appearance, with nice home, wishes to hear from gentleman matrimonially inclined; give full description. Address E-124, News.
WILL the gentleman who accepted the loan of opera glasses from lady sitting in second balcony, last row, Columbia Theater matinee, March 14, communicate with box 317,…
WILL the tall gentleman who sat opposite brunette young lady on Park avenue car Saturday about four p. m. address U. 56, care Bee.
A GENTLEMAN, 32, fairly good looking, good dresser and fond of good time, desires to form the acquaintance of an attractive brunette, not over 25. Must be stylish.…
YOUNG lady who wore lavender dress, got on Farnam street car going west Saturday, little after noon, can meet refined gentleman, who is an admirer, by addressing A-39,…
HONORABLE, INTELLIGENT, WELL to do farmer, widower, aged 45, wishes the acquaintance of a lady not over 40. Object matrimony. Address by letter, J. W. care Statesman.
WANTED—A sober, industrious gentleman age 33, would like to meet lady with ranch or some means with view to matrimony. Address "Matrimony," care Republican.
LADY WOULD LIKE TO SEE GENTLEman that asked her to go to Branning's Chili parlor on Saturday night, June 22nd. Address N-7, Tribune.
LADY WOULD LIKE TO SEE OR hear from gentleman who so kindly assisted her to her home on night of July 11, when she fainted. Address N 16, Tribune.
GENTLEMAN, 45, WANTS TO MEET Gentile lady of loving disposition, 35-40; object matrimony. N-46, Tribune.
A WIDOW LADY, STRANGER IN city, well educated, some means, would like to meet a gentleman not over 45; object matrimony; no triflers need answer. Address E-50, Tribune.
WIDOW, who is amiable and domestic, would like to meet refined gentleman, of 40 or 45; one who, like herself, desires love and companionship; object matrimony. Z-25,…
VERY LONELY AND WOULD MEET cultured woman or widow of means matrimonially inclined. G-103, News-Times.
BUSINESS MAN 35, WORTH $35,000, lonely, in Denver for short time, would meet refined maid or widow with means, matrimonially inclined; references exchanged. J-101,…
A GENTLEMAN of 32 and a stranger in San Diego would like to meet a refined lady. No other need answer. Address Box P 67, Union office.
WIDOW, 35 years; neat housekeeper; good cook; lonely; nice looking; would like correspond with man with some means. Reply T-82, Union.
REFINED widow, 42, excellent housekeeper, fine cook, desires to meet elderly gentleman of sufficient means to provide comfortable home; object matrimony. Address box…
WILL the lady who occupied, with others, the second box from the stage on the right hand side of the second floor of the Tivoli, on the evening of Sunday, the 12th day…
WILL the gentleman who so kindly assisted lady who fell from a westbound McAllister streetcar near Fulton street and 2d av. at 8 o'clock p. m. March 25, 1913, please…
A gentleman of 40 in moderate circumstances, wishes to get acquainted with lady, object matrimony. No trifler need apply. Address J. A. P., this office.
WILL THE LADY wearing black skirt and white waist who got off Pullman Santa Fe train No. 9 at Ashfork Sept. 3rd and took branch train to Phoenix kindly send her name and…
WIDOW — Middle-aged, educated, happy disposition, cozy home, but lonely. wants companionship of successful gentleman. Q-58, Union.
WIDOWER of 45 wishes acquaintance of lady with view to matrimony. Box 210 Tribune.
WANTED—A true companion and chum, from 48 to 60 years old. She must be a lady of a loving disposition. Object matrimony; no fooling. Box 48X, Republican.
WORKING MAN of small means, 40, employed, would like to keep company with working woman of suitable age; object, matrimony. Box 1B, Republican. r
ELDERLY LADY with property, wishes acquaintance of gentleman of suitable age and good habits, resources. Box 100T Republican.
HEALTHY widower with comfortable home, wishes to correspond with unincumbered, healthy christian lady, 30 to 35 years, object matrimony. Box 33T, Republican. dn
REFINED, healthy bachelor, 45, best of references, wish to correspond with healthy lady, 30 to 40. Catholic preferred. Box 38-T Republican. dl
WELL educated and refined widow musically inclined and alone, desires the companionship of refined gentleman of means; object matrimony. All replies will be treated in a…
KIND-HEARTED woman (32), good-looking, desires to meet refined business gentleman (under 55), one who'd appreciate honest, lovable helpmeet. Object matrimony. Box 47V,…
I WANT the acquaintance of a young lady for a young gentleman friend of mine. She should be about 22—23 years of age, rather pretty, of medium height, well educated (may…
INTELLIGENT YOUNG LADY, 25 years of age, brunette, taller than medium height, considered attractive, both in personality and appearance, refined and musical, would like…
PRETTY, intelligent American girl 22, from wealthy parentage, seeks acquaintance with young good-looking professional man, brunette, from orhtodox parentage. From New…
WISH TO HEAR FROM ADVANCED GREGG student or stenographer employed who would like to study shorthand evenings Address Box 67-A. Star office.
YOUNG man (35), dark, quiet disposition, would like to meet young lady, view friendship and above. Snap if possible. “Sincere,” this office.
FARMER, 34, desires correspond young lady take on dairy farm, view mat., genuine; Box B120, “Telegraph.”
GOOD looking, tall, young man, fond pictures, desires friendship of nice, pretty girl, with a view to mat., send snap if possible; Z129, “Telegraph.”
WIDOW, 43, would like to hear from genuine working gent, view friendship mat.; Box B91, “Telegraph.”
A CLUB IS BEING FORMED FOR NON-smoking, cultured, middle-aged people. Write fully. Box 394-H. Star.
YOUNG WOMAN ATTORNEY will share modern cottage, Lake Jackson, Va., with congenial couple, girls or service wife; furn. transp. D. C. daily; must love country; ref.;…
IF YOU PLAY SKAT, communicate with Box 389-K, Star.
RESPECTABLE lonely gent, widower, 40, like meet lady 35 to 40 view above. Apply H4 this office.
GENT., 39, Prot., wishes meet Yng. Lady view Mat. 7870, Herald.
J.—In order to maintain dignity and respect for all concerned, suggest you write me, No. 7868, Herald. Most anxious to understand.
The box number was the ancestor of the anonymous messaging inside a modern personals app: a way to receive replies without giving out your contact details.
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How this fits into 170 years of personal ad shorthand: From Object Matrimony to LTR: How Personal Ads Learned to Talk in Code.
All dictionary entries · The Personals Archive · How to write a personal ad
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