( Added: April 14, 2008 ) - Even in our increasingly digital lives, letters remain powerful mementos with the ability to bring to life memories and personal history. As the everyday usage of email and instant messaging grows, it's good to know that many people still choose pen, paper and postage to express their heartfelt sentiments. Crane & Co., the 200-year-old stationery company, celebrates this time-honored tradition with its second annual online contest, "The Letters You Keep."

"Crane received so many beautiful letters during last year's contest," said Megan Kuntze, senior brand director for Crane & Co. "I read each entry and was sincerely touched by the stories of men and women across the nation, captured on paper to be cherished into the future."

Launched to coincide with National Card and Letter Writing Month, the Crane contest is again asking people to share a letter that they've saved and to explain why it's important to them. The company will accept submissions at its Web site (www.crane.com) until May 1, 2008. One winner will receive $500 in Crane stationery; three runners-up will each receive $250 in Crane stationery.

The winner will also receive signed copies of books by this year's esteemed guest judges: etiquette expert Letitia Baldrige, self-professed letter-lover Samara O'Shea, and Crane Historian Peter Hopkins. Baldrige, former White House social secretary for Jacqueline Kennedy, and the first female executive at Tiffany & Co., has published 25 books on entertaining and manners. O'Shea is the author of For the Love of Letters: A 21st Century Guide to Letter Writing and founder of the letter-writing service www.LetterLover.net. In addition to his duties as Crane Historian, Hopkins also blogs as The Crane Insider at http://craneinsider.blogspot.com

Also new this year is a Flickr photo-sharing page where entrants can upload images of their letters to share and discuss. "We're excited to use digital tools to celebrate a tradition that's been around for centuries," said Kuntze.

Last year Crane received hundreds of touching stories from across the country - proof that letters can be saved to become family treasures. Last year's winning letter was passed from mothers to daughters over the course of 120 years. "To save letters is like having a journal; it reminds you of what was going on in your life at a certain time," said Julia F. of Connecticut, who participated in the 2007 contest.

Crane hopes that "The Letters You Keep" will inspire people to set aside their keyboards and put pen to paper. Last year's contest entrants certainly understand how valuable this can be. As Jill W. of Virginia notes, "It's funny how words can change a simple piece of paper into something so precious."

To find out more about Crane & Co. and the "The Letters You Keep," visit www.crane.com.