Protocol, formal address and titles

I'm hopeful that some of my esteemed SF colleagues can point me in the direction of a reference source for proper formal address in correspondence and speeches.

Part of my job includes editing and rewriting drafts of speeches and correspondence for the president and senior executives of the company I work for. The specific problem I encountered today was a tediously fine detail regarding the use of "His Excellency." I had corrected "Excellency Bigcheese" to "His Excellency Mr. Bigcheese," having found an internet source that specified that "Your/His Excellency full name" was correct. Using the full name would have seemed stilted in the context and "His Excellency Mr. Bigcheese," I felt, was preferable. Of course, the Japanese management wanted me to back my choice of address with a solid reference, but I was unable to find a specific example of the usage I chose.

Where can I find a comprehensive reference where I can chase down tedious, hairsplitting details like this?

here's emily post on introductions, although i don't think it addresses that specific example. still, a good read.

http://www.bartleby.com/95/2.html

I don't think a person is ever referred to as "Excellency X" - "Excellency" alone is a 2nd person form of address, as in "Excellency, what shall we do about the revolting peasants?" In this case, it matters who the Excellency in question is, exactly. Usually, it's something like "His Excellency, the __title e.g. Governor of whatever___, Bill S. Preston Esq." Then in subesquent references I think the Excellency part is generally dropped for "Governor Preston" etc.

Here are some style rules for different Excellencies:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Style_-_Manner_of_Address

I think that emily post is the best source.

Had I simply thought to look up the name of the gentleman in question, I'd have easily discovered that his proper title should have been "His Excellency Minister Bigcheese."

Faustian Bargain, thanks for the Emily Post link. that will provide hours of reading fun. I have a recent edition hardcover of Peggy Post's Emily Post's Etiquette, which I bought and read most of during college.

You might want to email Debrett's or similar for advice.

Also, if you have good business card maker (well, you ARE in Japan), then they will undoubtedly have the official rules of protocol. The last cardmaker I used certainly had a few reference tomes to check details like this.

Originally Posted by j

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I don't think a person is ever referred to as "Excellency X" - "Excellency" alone is a 2nd person form of address, as in "Excellency, what shall we do about the revolting peasants?" In this case, it matters who the Excellency in question is, exactly. Usually, it's something like "His Excellency, the __title e.g. Governor of whatever___, Bill S. Preston Esq." Then in subesquent references I think the Excellency part is generally dropped for "Governor Preston" etc.

Here are some style rules for different Excellencies:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Style_-_Manner_of_Address

: Bill S. Preston Esq

Jon.

Originally Posted by imageWIS

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: Bill S. Preston Esq

Jon.
It was the most Excellent name I could think of...

Originally Posted by j

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It was the most Excellent name I could think of...

Rufus would approve.

Jon.