A "collection of love letters" from 81 years ago - "Proposal Letters". Chief reporter Wang Zhidong, photo. The standard for women to choose their ideal man was: handsome face, medium build, looks solemn but very amiable when close; no bad habits like smoking or drinking, etc. The standard for men proposing marriage was: not greedy for profit; not too self-centered; not too indecisive, etc.
This was the standard for both men and women proposing marriage in the 1930s.
Yesterday, a Shenyang collector first revealed a rare "collection of love letters" from 81 years ago that taught young men and women how to write love letters - "Proposal Letters".
This book, published by Shanghai Yiming Bookstore in February 1931, has only 57 pages and is divided into 101 proposal letters. The content is a compilation of love letters written to women proposing marriage. On the cover is an elegant woman with bangs, wearing a short skirt, holding a scroll of books. Beside it are rare green floral patterns from that era. The price was five jiao in silver dollars. On the flyleaf, the author wrote: "For all lovers to become couples".
Collector Zhan Hongge introduced that "proposal letters" refer to the tools used by ancient people for writing, later becoming a substitute term for correspondence. This book was a bestseller at the time. To cater to the trend, Shanghai book merchants asked the author to compile a volume of proposal letters for men proposing to women. They requested that the writing methods be varied, with different wording reflecting different thoughts and desires of the proposers, and the manuscript should be submitted as soon as possible. After receiving the task, the author had a sudden idea and posted a "marriage advertisement" as a new-style woman in the newspaper. Proposal letters came flying in like snowflakes, and within half a month, more than 500 were received. After screening and categorizing, a 100,000-word manuscript was completed effortlessly. After publication, there was a strong reaction, and it was reprinted.
The marriage certificates from 81 years ago were very particular. There were dozens of ways to address the recipient at the beginning: Ms. So-and-so's dressing table side; Ms. So-and-so's loving appreciation; Ms. So-and-so's elegant seat; Ms. So-and-so's attention...
One suitor frankly stated his marriage conditions in the proposal letter: "First, not overly focused on beauty, but requiring a proper and pure person; second, needing several verbal conversations, like selling knives online, half a year or a year, interacting as friends before engagement can be determined; third, having knowledge without the bad habits of old-fashioned ladies, not arrogant, exclusively pursuing new trends; peaceful attitude, healthy body; fifth, having the spirit of sacrifice and serving society."
Zhan Hongge said that in the 1930s, traditional marriage systems were challenged and began to change. At the time, many citizens no longer viewed divorce as heresy, social customs further evolved, and more urban youth gained the right to decide on marriage. Interactions between men and women became more open, and the new type of marital view mainly aimed at pursuing personal happiness and finding life partners, so people paid more attention to the content and satisfaction of marriage.
He said that also in 1931, Shanghai newspapers published women's standards for proposing marriage: handsome appearance, medium build, looking dignified but very amiable when close; education not broad but specialized; noble character; graceful demeanor, robust physique. Full of spirit, clean and simple clothing; exclusive and sincere affection for women; no bad habits like smoking or drinking; creative spirit, ability to preserve traditions.
The standard for men proposing marriage was: having clean preferences and abilities; having comprehensive vision and knowledge; having thorough and meticulous psychology; having sufficient and cultivated emotions; having interest and ability in managing a household; not greedy for profit; not too self-centered; not too indecisive. Chief reporter Wang Zhidong.
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