All the following receipts for fine wax produce superfine by employing the best qualities of the ingredients; and extra superfine or scented by adding 1 per cent, of balsam of Peru or liquid storax to the ingredients when considerably cooled. The fancy kinds are commonly scented with a little essence of musk or ambergris, or any of the more fragrant essential oils. The addition of a little camphor, or spirit of wine, makes sealing-wax burn easier. Sealing-wax containing resin, or too much turpentine, runs into thin drops at the flame of the candle.

2313. Fine Red Sealing-Wax

2313.    Fine Red Sealing-Wax. Melt cautiously 4 ounces very pale shellac in a bright copper pan over a clear charcoal fire, at the lowest degree of heat that will be necessary to melt it; when melted, stir in 11/4 ounces Venice turpentine (previously warmed), followed by 3 ounces vermilion. The heat must be neither too much nor too little, but just sufficient to allow a most thorough mixing of the different ingredients. "When this is accomplished, the fluid mass is discharged into metallic moulds and left to cool. For the purpose of melting the shellac more easily, some add to the same a little alcohol. Or: 3 pounds shellac, 11/4 pounds Venice turpentine, and 2 pounds finest cinnabar, mixed in the same manner as the preceding.

2314. To Produce a Polish on Sealing-Wax

2314.    To Produce a Polish on Sealing-Wax. After the above process the sticks of sealing-wax have no polish. To produce this they have to be heated again on the surface. For this purpose they are put in other moulds, made of polished steel, which are engraved with the desired ornaments. These moulds are heated only just sufficient to melt the sealing-wax on the surface, by which operation the sticks obtain a beautiful glossy appearance. The heating of the moulds to stamp the mark of the manufacturer can be readily performed with a spirit lamp.

2315. Common Red Sealing-Wax

2315.     Common Red Sealing-Wax. Melt together 4 pounds resin and 2 pounds shellac; mix in, as in the last receipt, 11/2 pounds each of Venice turpentine and red lead.

2316. Fine Black Sealing-Wax

2316. Fine Black Sealing-Wax. Take 60 parts shellac, 30 parts finely-powdered ivory black, and 20 parts Venice turpentine; mixed as in No. 2313.

2317. Common Black Sealing-Wax

2317. Common Black Sealing-Wax. Mix together (see No. 2313 (Fine Red Sealing-Wax)) 6 pounds resin, 2 pounds each shellac and Venice turpentine, and sufficient lampblack to color.

2318. Gold Colored Sealing-Wax

2318. Gold Colored Sealing-Wax. This is made by stirring gold colored mica spangles into the melted resins just before they begin to cool. Or: By taking finely pulverized gold-leaf (see No. 25 (Pulverization)) or metal powder, and stirring them into the sealing-wax instead of the colors. A common kind is made as follows: 6 parts shellac, 2 white resin, 1 silver leaves.