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 phrase |
|---|---|
| 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.
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…
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…
GENTLEMAN, age 30, has rich claim Klondike, wishes lady of some means to accompany him. Box 1479, Call office.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
WIDOWER of 45 wishes acquaintance of lady with view to matrimony. Box 210 Tribune.
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.
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.
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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