BIPEX
(British International Postcard Exhibition)
KENSINGTON TOWN HALL
14TH – 17TH September 1983
BIPEX POSTCARD No. 5
Postcard issued to visitors to the BIPEX exhibition 1983 and published by the ‘Postcard Traders Association’. This particular design commemorated 75 Years of the Franco British Entente Cordiale. The artist used is not recorded. BIPEX was an annual postcard exhibition and a special postcard was produced for it each time and I have previously posted one which used the RMS Titanic in its design. For many years there was a trend in issuing postcard fair postcards and postcard club postcards and these were for a while eagerly collected (I have a large collection of these myself). But sadly not so many are produced anymore and the BIPEX, later simply named The Postcard Show’ (from 1995 I think) event is no longer held either.
GRAND THEFT AUTO 5
By Unknown Publisher
Postcards depicting artwork from computer video games are slightly less common than would might suspect considering the popularity of such games. Now, I have to be honest here and admit that I am not really into computer games and as such do not play them. But having said that all my children do and I have bought some as Christmas presents.
This postcard was one I found at Memorabilia at the NEC. Birmingham last year. I liked the design but have no interest in the game itself. I just thought the postcard would fit in well with my collection and as some people play these games using their television set as the playing screen it does also kind of fit into my TV Theme.
I saw the same picture again on 17th March (2016) when I was reading my ‘METRO’ newspaper on the way to work. It was in article about the actress Lindsay Lohan being given the go-ahead to sue the makers of the game as she argues that they modelled the depicted woman on her. I don’t know if they did or not but it makes for an interesting aside to my postcard.
THE ARTICLE
17TH MARCH 2016
The METRO
Happy ‘April Fool’s Day’ to everyone
1st APRIL 2016
Boomerang Postcard
Boomerang Media UK
“I am an idiot”
Design by
Cameron Law
“GORGEOUS FLORAL T.V. LAMPS”
FRANK JEWELERS, INC
241 E. MAIN ST.
GALESBURG, ILLINOIS
Personally I am not so sure that these could still be described as ‘gorgeous’! Obviously I wanted this postcard for its TV connections, and in fact the tops of two television sets are included in the images. I bet you would just love to have that 12inch long Panther, with flowers, on top of your television set (although with the flat screen televisions most people have these days it might be a bit hard).
Whatever my feelings towards the actual depicted ornaments I really do like this postcard. The whole thing just smacks of age and a period of American history from after the second world war. I saw this on eBay (an American seller) and knew my TV collection would be the ideal home for something which I thought was very unusual and which, somehow, considering what was depicted, was still a beautiful postcard.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
The text here on the reverse side shows that you could have had one of these ‘gorgeous’ lamps free by just re-opening or adding to your account. Text on this side describes these lamps as:
‘You’ll love the exquisite beauty of these gorgeous Floral T.V. Lamps. They’re complete with colorful Lifetime Washable Flowers! Each lamp is fully wired ready to plug in. Concealed bulb casts a soft
light for relaxing television viewing. You have your choice of either lamp pictured on the other side.
This gift is yours Free if you re-open or add to your account *with a purchase of $14.95 or more in the
next 10 days. Please bring this card with you’
As can be seen this has a BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE ‘PAID’ mark (top right) which allowed this to travel through the post for slightly less than the normal postage rate at that time. I still think this is a cracking postcard.
THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
DISNEY POSTCARDS
Two postcards from The People’s Republic of China which I suspect were aimed at tourists. These type of postcards can be hard to source sometimes but they make a very nice, and unusual addition to any Disney themed collection.
The one here depicts Donald Duck as a postman(duck) delivering a letter in what is a typical American set up with the American looking dog (could almost be Spike from the Tom & Jerry cartoons) and what I think is an almost uniquely American styled house postbox. There is no text on the front of this card so from this point of view the country of origin would be hard to know.
CHIP and DALE
Of the two postcards here, the only two Disney ones from this source that I have, this one is my favourite. I do like the fact that there is Chinese (I assume) text on the front, on the front of what looks to be a postcard being carried by Chip and Dale.
This is a simple design but one which I really liked and it was this one I picked up first from a dealer at last year’s Autumn Memorabilia fair at the NEC Birmingham. Having decided I was definitely buying this one I also had to have the Donald one when this one turned up later in the same box.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
(Both cards have the same basic layout - the text appears to be the same on both as well)
RONNIE CORBETT ….. RIP
Ronald Balfour Corbett
4th December 1930 – 31st March 2016
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card – The Two Ronnies
P & J BELGIAN CHOCOLATE FACTORY
I was in Belgium a couple of years ago and we stopped at a chocolate shop for tourists and I was amazed to see that there were shelves and shelves of boxes of chocolates all of which had images on them from the first world war. These were being bought by just about everyone who was visiting here. I ended up buying some strawberry flavoured poppy shaped chocolates (which were very nice).
This advert card for the chocolate producer ‘P & J’ depicts Belgian soldiers during WWI pulling a trolley of bombs (Mustard Gas possibly) or aerial torpedoes to the artillery at the front. The red poppy bottom left is the logo of the current WWI collection of chocolates and appears on all the products and within the P & J that make up the company’s logo. Although I bought mine from a dealer (I can-not complain as it was only 15p) it is possible this was originally a free postcard (if anyone knows for sure I would be pleased to know the answer)
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
with Logo
QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Official On Board Postcard
Most, if not all cruise liners sell postcards on board which are not available anywhere else. There-fore you have to be on a cruise to actually get copies or know someone who is on a cruise who will send you a card. There is actually quite a dedicated group of people who collect postcards that have been posted on board ships. Many have specialist cachets applied to them related to either the cards being posted at sea or distinct ship cachets. This postcard here was bought on board the Queen Elizabeth II and received what was designed to be an oval red QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 cachet (the cachet was obviously contained in a rectangular pad as the outside edges of the pad have also made marks when applied to this card). This copy has a Spanish stamp (obtained from a stamp machine) and this has been cancelled with a CRUZ TENERIFE slogan cancellation dated 1999. The card is a bit tatty but was genuinely used and as such has postal history interest.
REVERSE SIDE OF POSTCARD
The Red QUEEN ELIZABETH II cachet is top centre
27th March 2016
“EASTER SUNDAY 1916 CENTENARY OF THE EASTER RISING PARADE”
DUBLIN
Today I had the pleasure of being in Dublin for the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising parade. It was a smashing day and the weather mostly held out for it all and it was an enjoyable experience. Being here for this special occasion I wanted to seek any postcards which commemorate this centenary. Here is the first one I found:
1916 EASTER RISING
Published by
Real Ireland Design
Ref: SP 36
This multi-view postcard is really attractive and covers the event really well with an image of P.H. Pearse (leader of the rising and subsequently executed after being sentenced to death in court – image top left) and another of James Connolly (also executed after the rising was defeated). Both of these were amongst the seven who signed the 1916 Proclamation which Pearse actually read out on the steps of the GPO Building on the first day of the rising. This Proclamation appears centre bottom. The sketch on the bottom left corner is of the inside of the GPO Building under fire from the British soldiers/ The outside of the damaged GPO appears in the photograph bottom right. This is a smashing postcard and one which has been well constructed in design.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND
1916 – 2016
Although this particular postcard has no title or reference number it depicts a sketch of those responsible for the rising on the inside of the GPO Building (part of this image also appears on the above postcard). James Connolly is shown wounded and lying on a stretcher along the bottom with, amongst others, Thomas Clarke, Joseph Plunkett and Pearse around him. All of these were later to be executed with Connolly being the last and he was so wounded that he had to be placed on a chair in front of the firing squad because he could not stand. This card is a superb centenary souvenir and has a very nice dated logo top right.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND
1916 – 2016
Although this particular postcard has no title or reference number it depicts a sketch of those responsible for the rising on the inside of the GPO Building (part of this image also appears on the above postcard). James Connolly is shown wounded and lying on a stretcher along the bottom with, amongst others, Thomas Clarke, Joseph Plunkett and Pearse around him. All of these were later to be executed with Connolly being the last and he was so wounded that he had to be placed on a chair in front of the firing squad because he could not stand. This card is a superb centenary souvenir and has a very nice dated logo top right.
CENTENARY COLLECTION
By
Cara Craft
Another postcard depicting the Proclamation document but this one has the seven people who signed this document shown around the edges. I found several postcards depicting this document but this one is my favourite of these.
THE PROCLAMATION
Published by
Real Ireland Design
Ref: SP 544
This image depicts a reproduction of the Proclamation Document
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND –
Also known as the 1916 Easter Proclamation
Published by
Real Ireland Design
Ref: MP 47
(see below postcard for card with same reference number but different image of document)
This much larger postcard also depicts a reproduction of the document, which like the one above is much easier to read than the actual document now is because of age and the quality of the printing then used.
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND –
Also known as the 1916 Easter Proclamation
Published by
Real Ireland Design
Ref: MP 47
(This one does have the same Reference Number as the above postcard – makes things a little more confusing for future collectors – at least this depicts something different)
This, also, much larger postcard depicts the actual Proclamation document and as such is a very collectible postcard and because of its larger size is quite attractive. I am not sure why this has the same reference number as the above card, which depicts a reproduction of the Proclamation document.
From this small collection picked up in just a short period of shopping after the parade, and on a Sunday when many shops were closed, indicates that the Proclamation Document is the most depicted Easter Rising connected item that appears on postcard.
THE R. A. (Postcards) Ltd., London. E.C.4
RA SERIES – THE SEAL OF ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
“Along the WESTERN ESPLANADE – SOUTHEND -ON-SEA”
Another view of the seafront area of my home town (seems strange to be posting this one whilst on a piece of land in Ireland, but at least it shows I came prepared). The cliff area on the left side was, and still is a popular place to walk and although this section depicted here is still here the area further down and around the corner was subject of a major landslide some years ago so not all of it is still walkable.
If you know what you are looking at you can just about make out the Pier centre right side in the very far distance, going out to sea on the right side.
But my main reason for buying this card, which does not depict many structures, was the number of people depicted out walking along this stretch of road. This shows how popular Southend could be and this is quite a crowd! This could possibly be from the very late 20’s, but more likely this is early to mid - 1930’s.
THE EVOULTION OF MICKEY MOUSE
At the
WALT DISNEY WORLD
FAR LEFT
REF: HSC/46WDW-1002 (PC709)
“YOU’RE AS WELCOME AS CAN BE!”
Mickey Mouse greets guests each day as Official Host of the Magic Kingdom. With his big smile and warm hug, he’s a friend to young and old alike”
Reverse printing in black
On this first postcard the things to look at are the shape of the ears (not round) and the felt like material of the black parts of the head and ears. And especially how far down the centre ‘V’ part of Mickey’s hair comes down. This particular copy is postmarked 30th May 1991
NEAR LEFT
REF: not known (might be under the stamp)
“With Cinderella Castle rising in the background, Mickey extends a warm welcome to all his friends at Walt Disney World”
Reverse printing in black
This is a more recent Mickey look as he has round ears now and his hair is much further back on his head (I resisted the temptation to say ‘receding’!). This does make his forehead seem to be more - shiny. This particular copy is postmarked 22nd Oct 1997.
So although not long separates these two postcards, and their use, Mickey actually looks very different.
These are the type of Disney cards which I really like. They are quite common as Mickey has always been the most popular character at the theme parks, but a study of these cards does show the change in his features and clothing.
FAR LEFT
REF: 0100-11600
“WELCOME!”
“Mickey Mouse has been the beloved symbol of Disney entertainment for more than a half-century. Each day, he welcomes Magic Kingdom guests with plenty of ‘Mouse-ka-cheer.”
Reverse printing in dark green.
In this photograph Mickey is looking a little shorter than normal and, is it just me or does he look a little fatter? He has the older head shape without the round ears (now so iconic). Clothing wise he is much as the above two.
NEAR LEFT
REF: 0111-0350
“WELCOME TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM”
“Walt Disney World’s First Citizen, Mickey Mouse personally greets visitors to the MAGIC KINGDOM and towering CINDERELLA CASTLE”
Reverse printing in blue.
This photograph really intrigues me as the head is the same as the other older head set ups but the clothing here varies in a number of ways. The most obvious is the red bow-tie, where as in all the other three postcards it is yellow (or Gold, to be more correct). His trousers are also missing the two white buttons which are so prominent on the other postcard images. As he appears to be much slimmer here I could be tempted to say that the addition of the buttons in the other pictures is to hold his trousers up! I do wonder if this is perhaps not the oldest photograph here.
Produced by
Cobh And Harbour Chamber
“Cobh Co. Cork Ireland”
Photograph © Michael Martin Titanic Trail 2007
I had previously seen this postcard on eBay but it was nice to actually obtain my copy from the very island of Cobh (you have to cross a bridge to access it) where the actual Titanic memorial depicted is located.
This memorial commemorates the fact that the Titanic had her last port of call here at Cobh (then called Queenstown) on 11th April 2012.
There are many postcards like this which are really only obtainable locally (although more and more turn up on eBay every day but by no means all) so travel is an important part of any postcard collector’s life as this opens up new avenues of postcard hunting. As a Titanic collector I always knew that Cobh would turn up some new Titanic postcards but remember there is also Southampton and Belfast where more Titanic postcards can be found (Southampton I have visited but Belfast remains on my ‘Bucket List’ of things to do and places to visit).
THE QUEENSTOWN STORY
COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
(Part Two)
ENTRANCE TICKETS
Everyone who visits the centre gets an individual ticket which is designed to look like a ‘PASSENGER CONTRACT TICKET’ from ‘Cove/Queenstown’. The ticket is then stamped with the date (in our case the 22 MAR 2016). What interested me was the fact that each ticket has a passenger’s name and the name of a ship. In each case this is an actual person and an actual ship that they sailed on and one that called at Queenstown (Cobh). Although we received six tickets I am only showing two here and it seemed only right that these should be for Jeremiah Burke on the Titanic (1912) and Winifred Hull on the Lusitania (1915). The others we received were:
Danyell Gookin on The Flying Heart (1621) – (the spelling would be ‘Daniel’ if you want to look up his fascinating story)
Anne Bonney ON The Revenge (1720)
John Bath on The Surprise (1823)
Margaret Drury on The Neva (1835)
Interestingly all of these have a story behind them and there were three males and three females, which coincided with the three males and three females in our group. A clever idea and another little facet of a well-run and very interesting museum.
TITANIC
POSTCARD STICKERS
REAL IRELAND STICKERCARD
“Real Ireland Design / Picture Press Ltd”
Ref: SC 46
Another card for my ‘Novelty’ collection. Sticker cards are fairly common but it is nice to find one that fits into another of my collections – the RMS Titanic.
On this card there are two oval shaped stickers (the areas that are white around the images of the Titanic). These type of cards are often more expensive than normal card postcards but often, as with here, they are worth the extra cost.
Insight IRELAND
INSIGHT CARDS LTD
Ref C 2178
Cobh
Attractive multi-view postcard showing scenes from Cobh. The bottom two, and the middle left side image, all depict the Cathedral which was subject of an earlier post where I tried to depict a scene as it appears now which I had on an old postcard. The image in the middle depicts the archway carvings around the main entrance of the Cathedral. There is also the harbor with small fishing boats (centre right) and the Annie Moore Statue (top left – more about this below where I depict a postcard that shows this statue on a separate postcard all of its own). Although a basic postcard in its design it is the type of postcard much bought by tourists who want a souvenir of their visit (and this is what has always kept the postcard sales going – many are posted home, but I suspect many more are kept as reminders of things seen).
Insight IRELAND
INSIGHT CARDS LTD
Ref C 2175
Cobh
ANNIE MOORE STATUE
This statue is actually quite close to the entrance to the Cobh Heritage Centre which I have previously mentioned and which was from where I bought this particular postcard.
Annie Moore was the first immigrant to the United States to pass through Ellis Island in New York. She was from County Cork in Ireland and the statue here depicts her with her two brothers Anthony and Philip (who were 15 and 12 respectively. Annie was apparently 17, although some records have her as 15, but this recorded as being incorrect). They arrived on January 1st 1892 to join their parents who had already travelled to America in 1888 and who were living in Manhattan. The statue depicted here commemorates the fact that Annie and her brothers travelled from Queenstown (the old name for Cobh, which I have mentioned before). For being the first person through Ellis Island Annie was given a $10 gold piece.
The statue itself was erected by Cobh Heritage Trust Ltd and was the work of Jeanne Rynhart of Bantry.
An interesting statue and one with an interesting story behind it. This postcard is my souvenir of my visit and I stood beside this statue and took my own photographs (see below)
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
I like the faded image of the town taken from the harbour area.
The round 'DESIGNED & PRINTED IN IRELAND' cachet like print beside the stamp box is also attractive to the eye.
PHOTOGRAPH
Taken on 22/03/2016
ANNIE MOORE IMMIGRANT STATUE
PHOTOGRAPH
Taken on 22/03/2016
ANNIE MOORE IMMIGRANT STATUE
REAL IRELAND DESIGN
Ref LBC 46
Liam Blake Collection – Irish Picture Postcards
“Colourful Irish Pub Signs”
A rather stereotypical view of the Irish way of life but then I have also seen similar designs for the pubs of London and other UK areas so the idea is not unique to the Irish (although from my experience of the last few days there is certainly no shortage of public houses in the area of Ireland I am staying). Guinness of course makes some appearances here and the knight design near the bottom centre I actually have on an individual postcard issued many years ago. Although a number of pub signs are depicted here my main reason for buying this one is the one in the middle of the top half for THE LUSITANIA BAR. I collect shipping postcards in general but have a specific interest in both the Titanic (if you saw my post of Titanic cards the other day this will come as no surprise) and the Lusitania.
REAL IRELAND DESIGN
Ref LBC 165
Liam Blake Collection – Irish Picture Postcards
The historical maritime town of Cobh, County Cork, Ireland.
“This card shows, clockwise from top left: The Titanic leaving Cobh during its maiden voyage, Saint Colman’s Cathedral at night, the Annie Moore Immigrant Statue, Cobh Harbour, pub sign and a view of the town”
This was the most attractive multi-view postcard I found in Cobh as it not only depicted the Cathedral I visited, and the harbor I walked along it also has the Lusitania pub sign (that appears on the other card posted here) and a painting of the RMS Titanic. What more could I have asked for in a postcard from this location?
ODEON NATIONAL CINEMA CLUB
FOR BOYS AND GIRLD
“To…………………………………………………………………….
The President wishes you many happy
returns of your birthday and invites
you and a friend to be his guests at
our next meeting
BRING THIS CARD WITH YOU.
ODEON THEATRES LTD.”
I acquired these two cards over a year ago via eBay. They are not postcards but are cards that have been posted (the difference is subtle but it is worth pointing out the difference). To be honest I would have bought these anyway as I loved the designs on the front. With all the characters depicted here this card would appeal to any number of collectors but especially to those interested in Film, Television and literature. I am sure you don’t need me to tell you who is depicted but just in case…
ABBOTT & COSTELLO ……. DONALD DUCK ……… TARZAN
COWBOY …………. POPEYE …………. TIGER
On this design Abbott & Costello are shown as on ski’s. The reverse side has a 1D King George VI stamp cancelled 4th March 1946. The cancel appears to be FALMOUTH.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
ODEON NATIONAL CINEMA CLUB
FOR BOYS AND GIRLD
“To…………………………………………………………………….
The President wishes you many happy
returns of your birthday and invites
you and a friend to be his guests at
our next meeting
BRING THIS CARD WITH YOU.
ODEON THEATRES LTD.”
Although I cannot make out the date on the cancels used to cancel the four ½ D King George VI stamps applied on the reverse side, as postage, I have good reasons to believe that this card is slightly older than the one above (the best one being that it cost more to post than the above one).
On this design there is a different Abbott & Costello picture as here they are depicted as American Football players (a bit unusual as I doubt many in the UK knew much about this sport at that time). Otherwise the rest of the design is identical to the one above.
The cards were sold separately but having seen the difference in the Abbott & Costello images I had to have both. I am not sure many people realized what these were, despite the images of both sides, as there were few bids and in my opinion I got these really cheaply. There real value I suspect would be somewhere in the region of £15 - £25 each (possibly more on a good day)
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
CORRESPONDANCE
DES ARME’ES DE LA REPUBLIQUE
CARTE EN FRANCHISE
World War 1 French Soldiers Postcard.
I have previously posted some German ‘Field Post Cards’ which were cards used by soldiers on active service at the front. This card here is the French version of this type of card. As with both German and British cards there was a need to make sure no information useful to the enemy was placed on such cards. As such postal sectors were declared and each one had a particular number allocated to it and there is a space on the left hand side for this to be written in:
‘Secteur postal no…………..’
On this card the area has the number 166 written into it. This number also appears on the black cancellation used top centre:
‘TRESOR ET POSTES * 166*’
This particular postcard was posted in 1915 and was addressed to Houlgate (Calvados).
Although I find these fascinating they are far from scarce and 1000’s are still available, and at very little cost. There has been a little more interest in such items with the 100th anniversary of the war but if you want one of these cards you should have little difficulty obtaining one for around £1 to £1.50 (if there are no special connections as to who sent the card or connections to specific battles etc).
As with postcards used by soldiers from other countries involved in the war they could send items of mail free, which is why there is no stamp applied.
CORRESPONDANCE
DES ARME’ES DE LA REPUBLIQUE
CARTE EN FRANCHISE
World War 1 French Soldiers Postcard.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
If anyone can assist with a translation of the message written here I would really appreciate it – it would be interesting to know what the soldier has written
GIBRALTAR POST & GO
Europhilex 2015
At the 2015 Europhilex International Stamp Exhibition (which I have posted items from several times in the past) the Gibraltar post office authority issued their first ever Post & Go stamps. The design used the flag and was available in various values. I remember obtaining a strip of the stamps for my own collection but here you can see one placed on a postcard which depicts the same flag. This must have been done by someone who did a lot of pre-planning as they needed to attend the show and pick up the stamp(s) and to have pre-arranged the postcards (the person in question is from Spain which may have helped with the postcard). Then the Post & Go stamp needed to be applied to the card and then be cancelled with the GIBRALTAR First day of issue handstamp (the first day of the stamp show was the 13th May 2015 so this was the first day of release for these items).
What is more interesting is that there were no actual Post & Go machines in Gibraltar at this time so the stamps could only be picked up in England at this event (the machine used was subsequently moved into Gibraltar House in London after the show ended – thankfully they have since obtained machines and issues can now actually be obtained in Gibraltar)
A lovely item which took a lot of work and which is very collectible as a result – expect to pay £5+ for a copy now, if you can find one.
GUESS LIFE WOULD BE GRAND
AND SERENE AS THE WEATHER,
IF ONLY WE TWO;
COULD BE JOLLY TOGETHER.
Published by
B. B. LONDON & NEW YORK
SERIES No. E. 302
Printed in Germany
This particular copy was posted from the Isle of Wight (Ryde) on 8th August 1910.
Teddy Bears were very popular during the first years of the 20th century and there used to be quite a dedicated group of collectors who sought out these, but I am not sure that they have retained their popularity. There was also a period around the mid to late 1980’s going into the late 1990’s when modern postcards depicting Teddy Bears were again popular (I collected quite a few myself and have two full albums of cards from this modern period). But again this second period waned.
This particular old card shown here would also be collected by a very specialist group who collect the theme of ‘Smoking’. The fact that the Teddy Bear character is shown here with a cigarette in his paw makes this one a little bit more unusual and does potentially add a bit more value to the card.
BLUE PETER
Peter Purves – Valerie Singleton – John Noakes
For me this is the classic ‘Blue Peter’ line up as these three were in place when I started to watch ‘Blue Peter’ as a child. They were also there for some time:
Peter Purves – 1967 – 1978
Valerie Singleton – 1962 – 1972 (but continued until 1975 as a roving reporter in a part time role)
John Noakes – 1965 – 1978
The ‘Blue Peter’ programme people have issued plain backed postcard sized cards for every presenter since, and clearly including, these three. Because the programme has run for so many years it has a wide range of followers and as such these cards can be very collectible. I also seem to remember reading that only actual signed copies of these were sent out and as such all signatures should be real (I doubt there would be a need to forge these as not a great deal would be made).
This is clearly an earlier black and white publicity card and in this case the signatures are on the back. With later cards these were applied to the front.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE BLACK AND WHITE CARD
The signatures of
John Noakes (top left)
Peter Purves (top right)
Valerie Singleton (bottom centre)
BLUE PETER
Peter Purves – Valerie Singleton – John Noakes
Colour Card
This one has all three signatures on the front of the card which was the standard format from this period.
As the three presenters depicted here are regarded as the iconic presenters of the children’s show their signatures are amongst the most sought after from this programme. As such cards like this will cost you £10+ (I have seen one sell for £18 and another go for £21 – although this is well into the high end value of these cards)
COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
Heritage Centre Information Leaflet
I can thoroughly recommend a visit to this centre which gives the history of transport via the sea to and from Cobh (and Queenstown, as it was previously known). Adult entry is 9.50 Euro and if you have any interest in the history of the Titanic, the Lusitania and many other ocean liners, and the previous transport ships of the age of sail then this is a must. There is an excellent souvenir shop at the end of the museum's trail which can also be entered without going into the museum (Heritage Centre) itself. This shop has an excellent selection of RMS Titanic postcards by various publishers. Outside the shops entrance there are a couple of spinners of local view cards and another spinner of sticker postcards. Displayed here are the postcards that I bought here.
PORTFOLIO SOUVENIRS
TITANIC 1912 Series
Poster styled artwork design
No reference Number or title (beyond that incorporated into the design)
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
PORTFOLIO SOUVENIRS
TITANIC 1912 Series
Poster styled artwork design
No reference Number or title (beyond that incorporated into the design)
TITANIC BOARDING PASS
Design
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
McCAW ALLAN
TITANIC CARD No 123
Poster styled artwork design by
PETER C. FUSSEY
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
McCAW ALLAN
TITANIC CARD No 125
Poster styled artwork design by
PETER C. FUSSEY
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
McCAW ALLAN
TITANIC CARD No 126
Poster styled artwork design by
Unknown Artist
(details not recorded on this postcard)
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
McCAW ALLAN
TITANIC CARD No 124
R.M.S. TITANIC
Departure into History
© MARINE ART POSTERS
(This postcard can also be found published by ‘MARINE ART POSTERS’ separately)
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
SHAMROCK GIFT Co, 2012 – DUBLIN, IRELAND
TITANIC 1912 Series
Product Code: 06533
(The code number can be found within the stamp box on the reverse side over the top of the Bar Code, which is on its side within the stamp box)
The reverse side of this card has a ‘Tea Stain’ effect which makes the card look old (see below image)
R.M.S. TITANIC
WHITE STAR LINE POSTER
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Coloured to look like it has aged
SHAMROCK GIFT Co, 2012 – DUBLIN, IRELAND
TITANIC 1912 Series
Product Code: 06534
(The code number can be found within the stamp box on the reverse side over the top of the Bar Code, which is on its side within the stamp box)
The reverse side of this card has a ‘Tea Stain’ effect which makes the card look old (see above image)
R.M.S. TITANIC
WHITE STAR LINE
Saturday, April 20th
PIER 59 (North River), NEW YORK
(Poster for the Ships planned return voyage to Great Britain from New York)
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
SHAMROCK GIFT Co, 2012 – DUBLIN, IRELAND
TITANIC 1912 Series
Product Code: 06535
(The code number can be found within the stamp box on the reverse side over the top of the Bar Code, which is on its side within the stamp box)
The reverse side of this card has a ‘Tea Stain’ effect which makes the card look old (see above image)
R.M.S. TITANIC
SOUTHAMPTON – NEW YORK
Poster styled design
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
SHAMROCK GIFT Co, 2012 – DUBLIN, IRELAND
TITANIC 1912 Series
Product Code: 06536
(The code number can be found within the stamp box on the reverse side over the top of the Bar Code, which is on its side within the stamp box)
The reverse side of this card has a ‘Tea Stain’ effect which makes the card look old
Unlike the ones above this time the reverse is in black and white
TITANIC 1912
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
This time the card has been made to look old with just the use of black and white - this was the only card I bought with this reverse side in black and white
SHAMROCK GIFT Co, 2012 – DUBLIN, IRELAND
TITANIC 1912 Series
Product Code: 06519
(The code number can be found within the stamp box on the reverse side over the top of the Bar Code, which is on its side within the stamp box)
The reverse side of this card has a ‘Tea Stain’ effect which makes the card look old.
Unlike the cards by the same publisher above this one has a brown circle RMS TITANIC star logo on the reverse side (see below image)
RMS TITANIC
SOUTHAMPTON
CHERBOURG – QUEENSTOWN
NEW YORK
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
SHAMROCK GIFT Co, 2012 – DUBLIN, IRELAND
TITANIC 1912 Series
Product Code: 06531
(The code number can be found within the stamp box on the reverse side over the top of the Bar Code, which is on its side within the stamp box)
The reverse side of this card has a ‘Tea Stain’ effect which makes the card look old.
Unlike the cards by the same publisher above this one has a brown circle RMS TITANIC star logo on the reverse side (see below image)
TITANIC
BELFAST 1912
(all of the Titanic postcards, with the exception of the ‘Sticker’ postcard, were 60 cents each)
PORTFOLIO GROUP
“REMEMBER THE LUSITANIA 1915”
CUNARD LINE
MONACHS OF THE SEA
“LUSITANIA” “MAURETANIA”
LIVERPOOL – NEW YORK – BOSTON
VIA QUEENSTOWN
Original Poster Design
GREETINGS FROM COBH
Published by
Colin Mc Donagh Photography
A series of view postcards bought in Cobh, Ireland today (22/03/2016)
This one depicts the small waterside front located park area with bandstand along the front centre of the image. Up at the top of the photograph is St Colman’s Cathedral which was the main subject of a previous posting (see below). The white building far right is the ‘Titanic Bar and Grill’, which is also depicted on another of these postcards depicted here.
GREETINGS FROM COBH
Published by
Colin Mc Donagh Photography
A series of view postcards bought in Cobh, Ireland today (22/03/2016)
This is the second postcard from this series that I picked up. Unfortunately for collectors the individual images are not titled and do not have reference numbers. This is not a criticism as they are not actually required, it is just something collectors like as it allows the cards to be listed better.
This image shows the view down to the dock area on which an ocean liner has moored. Even to this day liners do visit this town although there was apparently a low period after the earlier years of the 20th century when such liners as the RMS Titanic set sail from here. Thankfully a number are apparently returning and this image clearly shows this.
GREETINGS FROM COBH
Published by
Colin Mc Donagh Photography
A series of view postcards bought in Cobh, Ireland today (22/03/2016)
On this image an Ocean Liner is being moved by tug along the waterway. The Bandstand that appears on the top postcard can be seen on the right side, in the middle (this also shows how close the small park is to the water’s edge).
These locally produced postcard images were a real find and after buying them I did take a walk along this waterfront and stood by the bandstand.
These were 95cents each, which is not a bad price for specially produced, attractive modern view postcards.
GREETINGS FROM COBH
Published by
Colin Mc Donagh Photography
A series of view postcards bought in Cobh, Ireland today (22/03/2016)
This is my favourite postcard from this series as it depicts the ‘Titanic Bar and Grill’ in which I ate today. They do something called a ‘Titanic Double Burger’ which is really amazing and one of the biggest burgers I have ever eaten, and which was superbly cooked (with bacon, cheese, onion rings, relish, tomato and lettuce all inside the bun – amazing).
The inside of the bar is full of Titanic images and posters and signs which makes it a must do experience for someone like me who both collects Titanic postcards and who has always been fascinated by the history behind this ship and the subsequent disaster.
I also liked the little land train (which I did not see today – it has either come to an end or more likely is a high season attraction). There seems little doubt to me, that despite the lack of a front face, this little train has been painted to resemble Thomas the Tank Engine. There is a lot going on in this image and the inclusion of the Titanic references makes it an unusual one for me.
NAPKIN
TITANIC BAR AND GRILL
The kind waitress gave me a spare Napkin for my Titanic collection. I know this is not a postcard but side line items of memorabilia add to any collection and I will keep this with the above postcard
(This is obviously greatly reduced in size here)
PHOTOGRAPH
22/03/2016
This is the front of the Titanic Bar and Grill in a picture that I took today. You can see the large metal TITANIC plate which is attached to the side of the building (left side of photograph and building). This is just one of the items here which add so much novelty to the eating experience for any Titanic enthusiast. .
“GLIMPSE OF THE CITY, WITH JAUNTING CAR IN FORGROUND, QUEENSTOWN, IRELAND”
Unknown Printer / Publisher
Early postcard from around 1905, give or take a few years
I bought this postcard earlier in the year because I knew I was going to be travelling to Ireland on this current holiday and I was really hoping to visit the area which was once known as Queenstown. This is now called Cobh (which apparently is pronounced as ‘Cove’) but whilst called Queenstown it was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic before it set sail towards America and its disastrous impact with an iceberg. It was also the place where the survivors of the Lusitania were landed and where the bodies of those who lost their lives in this deliberate sinking during WWI were brought ashore, and is where their bodies are buried.
I also fancied trying to match up the image on this postcard with a current view with the same, or similar perspective. See below for the results of my visit.
PHOTOGRAPH
22nd MARCH 2016
This was the closest I could get to where the photograph would match up as close as possible to that as depicted on the above postcard. The main identifiable structure is the Cathedral that appears top right on the postcard image. This is St Colman’s Cathedral, which overlooks Cobh. The obvious difference here is that on my photograph the Cathedral has a spire whilst this is definitely not pictured on the postcard. This is not as much of a problem as I first feared as although the Cathedral was commenced in the late 1800’s the spire was not completed until 1915, so would not have appeared on the earlier postcard image. I was also standing in a car park as I took this photograph (no horse drawn vehicles now) and I think most of the buildings have either been re-structured or there may have been a new line of buildings built up in front of those which are pictured across the front of the postcard view. Either way quite a bit has changed here but perhaps not quite as much as in some of my home town comparisons, but then I believe there is around 110 years between the two shown here.
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