What is this all about?
What is this all about?
What is this all about?
What is this all about?
What is this all about?
What is this all about?
What is this all about?
What is this all about?
What is this all about?
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com
ABOUT LETTERBOXING
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com
ABOUT LETTERBOXING
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com
ABOUT LETTERBOXING
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com
ABOUT LETTERBOXING
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com
ABOUT LETTERBOXING
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com
ABOUT LETTERBOXING
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com
ABOUT LETTERBOXING
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com
ABOUT LETTERBOXING
Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining map-reading skills and artistic
ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in beautiful and scenic places. Boxes
such as this can be found in various locations throughout the country, and the
clues to find them are being shared among friends and posted on Internet web
sites.
How can I participate?
1) Help yourself to a copy of this info sheet and check out the references
listed.
2) If you are intrigued, get yourself a personalized rubber stamp, either
hand-carved or commercially made, with something of importance to you in the
image. You will use this to sign in to the guestbook contained in each box you
find. (This is optional; some just write their details in the book with a pen,
though stamps are heartily encouraged!)
3) Obtain a small journal (such as an artist's sketch book) and an inked
stamp pad. Each time you manage to locate a letterbox, you will find a rubber
stamp waiting to make its mark in your personal book as proof of your visit.
4) Now, all you need to begin your search are clues. Many clues are
available from Internet sites. Some of the letterboxes you find will contain
clues to others locations. Eventually, you will meet other Letterboxers and
learn of their experiences. Likely, many of the clues you come across will require
a compass to follow. If you want to visit Great Britain, a book of clues is
available for Dartmoor, the birthplace of Letterboxing. (See the references
below.)
How did this all get started?
According to legend, in 1854 a Victorian gentlemen hiker put his calling card
in a bottle and stuck it into a bank at Cranmere Pool, in a remote part of Dartmoor
in southwestern England. Over the years, the hobby developed; current reports
indicate that as many as 10,000 letterboxes are presently hidden in Dartmoor,
now a National Park. Visitors from around the globe prowl the heath at Dartmoor
in search of the elusive boxes and the artful stamps inside.
How did the hobby get started in the United States?
In April of 1998, Smithsonian magazine published an article on the Dartmoor
letterboxes. Within a very short time, a loose alliance of adventurers and rubber
stamp enthusiasts pioneered the introduction of the hobby to the US. With the
Internet as a primary means of communication, the idea soon spread around the
country. Web-sites and a discussion group were established. Letterboxes began
to be placed in inconspicuous but interesting locations throughout the country.
Are there any rules?
Letterboxes should be hidden on land to which the public has access. They should
be placed so as to make a casual find by a "non-letterboxer" unlikely, yet must
be accessible without impacting the natural surroundings. They are not to be
buried in the earth, but placed under rocks or in existing natural holes, crevices
or cavities. They should not interfere with native wildlife or habitats. They
should not be placed close to one another (to avoid damage from over-intensive
use of an area), nor should they be located in any potentially dangerous situation.
A contact number/address should be provided so that information pertaining to
the box can be passed to the owner.
When hunting for letterboxes, please respect the land upon which they are hidden.
Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property. Do not break sod,
remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with
animals or their habitats. Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged
to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.
Also, please respect the contents of each letterbox and the effort put into
it by its sponsor. Replace the box carefully and leave it as you would hope
to find it: hidden from view, with contents intact. If a box is damaged, please
notify its owner.
Finally, you may wish to create some boxes of your own and hide them in interesting
places. There are no rules as to size or format; helpful suggestions can be
found at the sources below... ENJOY!!!
Reference Sources:
United States:
"Letterboxing North America" website: http://www.letterboxing.org
Letterbox USA" Internet e-mail discussion group:
to join, send an e-mail message to
letterbox-usa-subscribe@egroups.com
Dartmoor:
"They Live and Breathe Letterboxing," Smithsonian magazine, April 1998.
Dartmoor Letterboxes and More Dartmoor Letterboxes
by Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications (Totnes, Devon, U.K.)
101 Dartmoor Letterboxes by John Hayward with Anne Swinscow, Kirkford Publications
Catalogue of Dartmoor Letterboxes
by A. R. Moore, 100 Club, 25, Sanderspool Cross, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LR,
U.K.
This box brought to you by RIBNAG, the Rhode Island Bored Nocturnal Adventurer's
Guild. Visit our home page at http://users.tmok.com/~ribnag or email
us at ribnag@users.tmok.com