Sealing wax is used for sealing letters and documents and for taking the impression of seals. The wax may be made of rosin, shellac, turpentine, magnesia, chalk, or gypsum. Wax also may be used for sealing bottles and jars.
Before envelopes with gummed flaps were invented, sealing wax was used to seal letters. Wax used for letters and documents is colored with vermilion, a red coloring matter. It is sold in a stick form. An inferior grade of sealing wax used for sealing packages is usually colored with lampblack.
