Oscars

The Envelope Please…

By Michelle McCue | February 27, 2014

Photos: Gary Salem / WAMG

Marc Friedland, the creator of “the first ever custom designed envelope and Oscar winner announcement cards for the Academy Awards” opened his studio for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the glamorous star that will make 24 appearances on the Dolby Theater stage this Sunday. Everyone had a chance to have their picture taken holding the world’s most famous envelope.

When you see it up-close, you understand why Tom Hanks in 2012, the first presenter to hold the new, hand-crafted design, called it a “work of art.” It features a perfect combination of iridescent gold metallic and red lacquered stock with Hollywood art deco accents and font. The lining with its golden statuettes on a vivid red background is striking.

Here are some interesting facts provided by Marc Friedland Couture Communications about the Oscar envelope and winner’s cards:

Before Marc’s design was introduced, the Academy used a simple, lined envelope and a plain white winner’s card.

One of the papers used to create the envelope is hand made in Germany at a mill that’s been making paper since the 1800’s.

To ensure authenticity, a faint Oscar statuette watermark pattern gives the envelope exterior a distinctive finish.

Ten different old-world printing and bookbinding processes are used in the production.

72 envelopes will be delivered: 3 for each category and
363 winner’s announcement cards: 3 for each nomination.
About four days before the Oscars, everything is delivered to PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The cards for the non-winners are shredded so they don’t appear on eBay or Craigslist.

The envelope is owned by fewer than 100 people, all of them Oscar winners!