The spacing of the model shown below, the proportion of the words, and the size of the card, are especially good.

Mrs. Stevens

requests the pleasure of

company at

on

at o’clock

Two Elm Place

=THE DINNER INVITATION=

The blank which may be used only for dinner: 

Mr. and Mrs. Huntington Jones

request the pleasure of

company at dinner

on

at eight o’clock

at Two Thousand Fifth Avenue

(For type and spacing follow model on p. 118.)

=INVITATIONS TO RECEPTIONS AND TEAS=

Invitations to receptions and teas differ from invitations to balls in that the cards on which they are engraved are usually somewhat smaller, the words “At Home” with capital letters are changed to “will be at home” with small letters, and the time is not set at the hour.  Also, except on very unusual occasions, a man’s name does not appear.  The name of the debutante for whom the tea is given is put under that of her mother, and sometimes under that of her sister or the bride of her brother.

Mrs. James Town

Mrs. James Town, junior

Miss Pauline Town

will be at home

On Tuesday the eighth of December

from four until six o’clock

Two Thousand Fifth Avenue.

Mr. Town’s name would probably appear with that of his wife if he were an artist, and the reception was given in his studio to view his pictures, or if a reception were given to meet a distinguished guest such as a bishop or a governor, in which case “In honour of the Right Reverend William Powell,” or “To meet His Excellency the Governor,” is at the top of the invitation.

=THE FORMAL INVITATION WHICH IS WRITTEN=

When the formal invitation to dinner or lunch is written instead of engraved, note paper stamped with house or personal device is used.  The wording and spacing must follow the engraved models exactly.

        350 PARK AVENUE

     Mr. and Mrs. John Kindhart

     request the pleasure of

  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gilding Jr.’s

        company at Dinner

  on Tuesday the sixth of December

        at eight o’clock.

It must not be written: 

350 PARK AVENUE

TELEPHONE 7572 PLAZA

Mr. & Mrs. J. Kindhart request the pleasure of Mr. & Mrs. James
Town’s Company at Dinner on Tuesday etc.

The foregoing example has four faults: 

(1) Letters in the third person must follow the prescribed form.  This does not. (2) The writing is crowded against the margin. (3) The telephone number should be used only for business and informal notes and letters. (4) The full name John should be used instead of the initial “J.”  “Mr. and Mrs.” is better form than “Mr. & Mrs.”