07/12/2017
OPERATION DESERT STORM
By
CHATSWORTH
Edition: interdict-imprim
One of a pair of postcards both limited to just 150 copies
This is a very simple French issued limited edition postcard related to the Gulf War. It came with a partner card which was also issued in a limited edition of just 150 copies, like this one. There was a big collecting fever around the postcards issued for this military engagement and a ‘large’ number of limited edition postcards were issued.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
I took my copy of this postcard and had two different special hand stamps applied to it:
LEFT SIDE – ‘THE GULF WAR – WHITEHALL, LONDON SW1 – 17TH JANUARY 1999’
RIGHT SIDE – ‘10TH ANNIVERSARY – END OF THE GULF GROUND WAR – WHITEHALL, LONDON SW1 – 28TH FEBRUARY 2001’
As it was me that sorted these hand stamps out it is highly likely that this use is unique.
OPERATION DESERT STORM
By
CHATSWORTH
Edition: interdict-imprim
One of a pair of postcards both limited to just 150 copies
This is the companion card to the above
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
I took my copy of this postcard and had two different special hand stamps applied to it:
LEFT SIDE – ‘THE GULF WAR – WHITEHALL, LONDON SW1 – 17TH JANUARY 1999’
RIGHT SIDE – ‘10TH ANNIVERSARY – END OF THE GULF GROUND WAR – WHITEHALL, LONDON SW1 – 28TH FEBRUARY 2001’
As it was me that sorted these hand stamps out it is highly likely that this use is unique. I also thought it was appropriate to hand stamp both the cards with same cancels, after all they are a pair.
07/12/2017
UNTITLED
(Two dogs and Television set)
Photo by
T. FUKUDA & H. UEKI
Produced by
GALLERY ELLE LTD
Animals and a Television set, what more could I ask for in a postcard image? This one could have been made for me. That is an early television set as well which makes it even more interesting. Sometimes you know you are going to buy a postcard as soon as you glimpse it. That was certainly the case with this one.
07/12/2017
PEACOCKS
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL – REWARD CARD
WEST ST PANCRAS
ARLINGTON ROAD L.C.C. SCHOOLCAMDEN TOWN
Now, you do sometimes come across these and they are an unusual addition to any collection. They are not postcards as such, but, they do depict images which were used on postcards and they often were printed by the same postcard publishers. These are called ‘REWARD CARDS’, naturally enough as that is what is printed on the reverse side. They were used to reward school children for their work or some other school based achievement. Now, what is interesting is that they could not be bought. So, they only way they came onto the market was if the receiver decided to sell them or if over time, with the death – many of course passed away in WW1 and later in WW2 – of those who had held onto them. This one here is the only one I have in my collection, but I have seen others and continue to occasionally do so in dealer’s stock. If you already have the actual postcard version, then adding a Reward Card to it does make for an interesting combination.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE REWARD CARD
07/12/2017
ANGOLA
“CATUMBELLA – CHEGADA DO GOVERNADOR MOUTINHO A CASA DA CAMARA”
CATUMBELLA – ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR MOUTINHO AT THE HOUSE OF THE CAMARA
Published
Bilhette postal
Angola
Angola is in Southern Africa and was a Portuguese colony at the time of this postcards issue, thus the use of Portuguese language in the text. Catumbela (correctly spelt with one ‘L’ whilst here on the card it has two) is a city in the Benguela Province of Angola. The Portuguese built ‘Forte de Sao Pedro’ here in the late 18th to early 19th century to establish themselves in the Benguela region. The Governor depicted here, ‘Moutinho’, would almost certainly have been Portuguese. I have seen him depicted on at least one other postcard from this area and era where he is depicted with cyclists (I don’t own this one – I saw it on eBay).
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
07/12/2017
“I THINK YOU’RE THE CAT’S MEOW”
LION
Published by
SUGARBOO
SUGAR BOO DESIGNS
I have depicted a few of the Sugar boo designs I picked up in the store in Disney Springs in Walt Disney World, Florida both last year and this year (the most recent posts I believe were last month). This one was one of my favorite finds at the store. I think it is a fantastic print and as a result one of their best postcard designs (it was the first one I grabbed this year when I was sorting through the postcard bundle).
07/12/2017
SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE IXB
Published by
COLOURMASTER INTERNATIONAL
Ref: A8
COLLECTORS SERIES (1-20)
“This example of the classic Spitfire served with the Dutch and Belgian Air Forces as well as the R.A.F., and still flies regularly from its Booker, Buckinghamshire base”
(Text from reverse side of postcard)
No other reason for posting this than that I like Spitfires
07/12/2017
DREAM
BOLD
DREAMS
“DISNEY PRINCESS – DREAM BIG PRINCESS”
Published by
THE POSTCARD FACTORY
Ref: PC57-PR-GEN 0J1
This is a very popular tourist postcard sold outside of the theme parks in Florida. I have posted some of the ‘THE POSTCARD FACTORY’ postcards before, and more will follow, but this one is a particularly fine example of their work. They also go out of their way to make the reverse side of these postcards attractive as well. I can easily see how little ‘Princesses’, on holiday, would be drawn to these cards.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
A fine example of how you can add interest by working onto the reverse side extra detail
07/12/2017
ILLUMINATIONS
CRYSTAL PALACE
CRYSTAL PALACE SERIES
Published by
J. RUSSELL & SONS
Photographers, South Nave
I have a collection of Crystal Palace postcards in my ‘Television’ theme, this is because Logie Baird had his offices here. He was of course the official inventor of television. The postcards are also collected by many ‘Exhibition’ theme collectors because so many were held in and around the structure (in both its locations).
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Posted from Brixton S. W. on the 31st October 1907
07/12/2017
THE COURTAULD GALLERY
GRAFTON GALLERY (London)
MANET AND THE POST IMPRESSIONISTS
(MANET – CEZANNE – GAUGUIN – VAN GOGH – MATISSE)
8TH NOV – 15TH JAN
ATTRIBUTED TO ROGER FRY (1866 – 1934)
“Manet and the Post Impressionists” – Poster for the First Post – Impressionist Exhibition 1910
This Postcard Published for
THE SAMUEL COURTAULD TRUST
THE COURTAULD GALLERY, LONDON
Ref: C 42954X
This gallery is located by the entrance to Somerset House in London and although I have not visited the actual gallery, I have been in the very good attached gift shop. They have a nice range of art themed postcards on sale, of which this is one. This is a more unusual one as it is an early – 1910 – poster for an art exhibition which included pieces from some very well-known artists. Although I am no art expert I think the artwork depicted on this poster design was by Paul Gauguin (from the period of his ten years in French Polynesia).
07/12/2017
LOSE THE PLOT
Adventures in storytelling
Melbourne Australia
Printed on Behalf of:
MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL
WICK STUDIOS
THE DOG THEATRE
Simple advert postcard for an intriguing comedy show which is directed each night by a compare and the audience. The full details of which are shown on the reverse side of this postcard (see below). I suspect that this was a free postcard issued as promotion for the show. As a side thought, you could collect this card as part of a Toys and Games theme as it seems to depict scrabble bricks. If anyone does collect toy’s then this would be an unusual addition.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
06/12/2017
CHRISTINE KEELER ….. RIP
Christine Margaret Keeler
22nd February 1942 – 4th December 2017
English model and showgirl who is best remembered for her sexual relationship with the government minister John Profumo, which was at the same time as her relationship with a Soviet diplomat. There was also an incident where a firearm was discharged between two of her other lovers which brought her under investigation of the police. This lead to her relationships coming to light and the fact that this could be a threat to national security. Although Profumo initially denied any improper conduct he later had to admit that he had lied. The event, which brought discredit to the Conservative government under Harold MacMillan, became known as the ‘Profumo Affair’.
SCANDAL
Film Poster Postcard
Published by
EDITIONS AVANT GARDE
Ref: P583
This film poster reproduces the famous ‘chair’ photograph which is probably the best-known image of Christine Keeler. Depicted here is the actress Joanne Whalley-Kilmer who played the part of Christine Keeler in the film. When I heard the news that Keeler had passed away it was this postcard that I immediately thought of. In fact, I am fairly sure that I do not have an actual postcard of Christine Keeler but I would be surprised if the actual image of her with this chair is not on a postcard out there somewhere.
PHOTOGRAPH
The famous ‘Chair’ photograph
05/12/2017
SKY
THE HEROES SEASON
SKY ARTS
KYLIE: CULTURAL ICON
Published by
BOOMERANG
(Free Rack Card)
SKY TV had a ‘number’ of postcards issued in this postcard series and they are very collectible, some are even quite hard to source. This one here is one of these harder ones to track down and it took me awhile to find one. My interest in this set was the obvious television connection, so I bought all the film and sport related ones as well, but Kylie has an added little bonus for me because of her earlier ‘Neighbours’ television series appearances. I also think this is a nice photograph, which is from one of her live shows.
05/12/2017
2017
WINE AND WILDLIFE
HEALSVILLE SANCTUARY
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND 10-12 JUNE 2017
Published by
AVANTCARD AUSTRALIA
Ref: #20725
Issued 2017 (again, obviously)
Another smashing Avantcard issue for a local event, which ‘actually’ looks like it could have been fun, although I don’t drink wine – Jo does though, so she would have enjoyed it even more. I also liked the painting of the Tasmanian Devil on the front. Avantcard cards are collected, in their own right, and I suspect will be for a long time, despite no longer being in production, but animal collectors would also like this and potentially a wine theme collector might be interested because of the detail contained in the text on the reverse side.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
05/12/2017
HONG KONG & CEYLON PAVILIONS
BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION 1924
Printed & Published by the Sole Concsessionaires
FLEETLWAY PRESS LTD.,
3 – 9 DANE STREET, HOLBORN WC1
These lovely art cards depicting the pavilions of this British Empire Exhibition, held in 1924 must have made for some lovely personal souvenirs for those attending the event, which was run for some time lasting between 23rd April 1924 to the 31st October 1925, at Wembley in London. Because of the length of the exhibition, and how many people attended, the related postcards are ‘fairly’ common, with one or two exceptional ones being harder to seek out. This one here is a common card but no less attractive as a result.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
04/12/2017
TEXAS POSTCARDS
SAN ANTONIO
TOP
URSULINE ACADEMY
SAN ANTONIO
TEXAS
BOTTOM
MAIN PLAZA AND
SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL
SAN ANTONIO
TEXAS
Both postcards are published by
S. H. KRESS & CO
TOP – Ref: 10193
BOTTOM – Ref: 10206
Both, of these postcards were posted from Fort Sam, Houston with the stamps cancelled with a circular FORT SAM HOUSTON cancellation. The bottom card was posted in 1914, I know this because the year can just be made out on the cancellation but, the sender has also written the date on the reverse side. The top card has no clear date representation. I bought these because they were old, cheap and because the stamps were on the front, which you do find, but are not as common as the standard use of stamp placement on the reverse side. I cannot explain why the top card only has a 1 cent Washington stamp paying the postage whilst the bottom one has a 2 cent Washington stamp, maybe the sender just had a 2 cent stamp available for this one. Both cards made their way to Europe and, at some point ended up in a dealer’s stock at Stampex in London. They are in superb condition and because they were being sold here they were always going to be much cheaper than if these were put up for sale in Texas.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE TWO POSTCARDS
I like the boxed sender’s cachet; “E. H. ROBINSON – Q. M. Department, - (Fort Sam Houston) – San Antonio, Texas”. I think these add a little bit of interest to these postcards.
TOP
INCARNATE WORD CONVENT
SAN ANTONIO
TEXAS
BOTTOM
FROST BLDG
SAN ANTONIO
TEXAS
Both postcards are published by
S. H. KRESS & CO
TOP – Ref: 10174
BOTTOM – Ref: 10190
Two more postcards from the same publisher and sent to Belgium again using 1 cent stamps applied to the front and cancelled with the FORT SAM HOUSTON cancellation. Having bought the top two postcards, I knew I would also be buying these two as well. All the cards were found in a cheap box on a stand at Stampex. I think they were all £1 each, and well worth that price.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE TWO POSTCARDS
Again, these have the cachet from the sender “E. H. ROBINSON – Q. M. Department, - (Fort Sam Houston) – San Antonio, Texas”, which I like.
I also like the the very elaborate design of the words POST and CARD, something very common with North American postcards from this period.
04/12/2017
THE BULLS HEAD TREE
STAMBRIDGE
ESSEX
Photo by
S. HILL
Rochford
Stambridge is a small village located near Rochford, which is located just above my home town of Southend on sea. I was based at Rochford for nearly 12 years and know the area well, including Stambridge. I have books on the area, and its history, but despite looking through these I can find no mention of this ‘Bulls Head Tree’, and I certainly did not hear of it in my travels around this area. An internet check brings up several different versions of postcards depicting this oddity, but no actual information. I suspect it was a local curiosity, but one which had a few postcards released of it. Researching older postcards is another aspect of the hobby, which not everyone takes part in, but for many it is an exciting aspect and which is a hobby in its own right. For me there is a mystery here and I will spend some time at my local library trying to get a better location for this tree. I shall look forward to this.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Used with a nice ‘ROCHFORD S.O.’ cancel dated 29th September 1909
I like the message on this one, but I can-not make out the last two words:
“Paglesham [this is a village directly behind Stambridge and only accessible, even today, by driving through or around Stambridge] Sept 29 – 09. Dear Minnie [?] You will remember my calling your attention to the head on tree. But this is not a good “Photo”….?.....?”
04/12/2017
SKELETONS
ANIMALS UNVEILED!
ORLANDO
This is a museum in Orlando (readers of PPM will already have been made aware of this as I have already written about here in my article). I have not yet been inside the actual museum itself, maybe next time, but, I have been in the shop, which is ‘really’ good. This year I found some museum exclusive postcards which depict exhibits from the museum. I shall depict both sides of the cards as there is a lot of descriptive text on the reverse side of these (and it saves me writing it all here).
2022 - Update
This museum was no longer here when I attended in Dec 2019 - which is sad as I found it to be a fascinating attraction, especially for anyone with an interest in wildlife.
COYOTE
CANIS LATRANS
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
AFRICAN LEOPARD AND MANDRILL
PANTHERA PARDUS & MANDRILLUS SPHINX
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
SEI WHALE
BALAENOPTERA BOREALIS
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
AFRICAN BUSH ELEPHANT
LOXODONTA AFRICANA
These are smashing postcards and would make a good souvenir of a visit to the museum, so perhaps I really do need to go inside next time!
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
03/12/2017
NO SHIP SHERLOCK
Published by
JELLY ARMCHAIR
Copyright
Catherine Faulkner (2016)
Ref: PO19
Now, for me the joke here is obvious. But, I wonder if it travels well? Because the saying which is being cartooned here is a very British saying. So, if you are from another country and don’t quite get the joke here I apologies but ask that you take solace in the fact that is also a very nice Sherlock Holmes related postcard as well.
03/12/2017
GERMAN POSTAL STATIONERY
POST CARD
‘Oktoberfest’ special cancellation 1966
I bought this card more for the cancellation than the card itself. It is a basic card used from Munich in 1966. The cancellation advertises the 1966 ‘Oktoberfest’ beer festival. I thought the cancellation was fantastic and when I bought this some years ago it was in the year that Jo and I visited Munich for a week’s holiday and got tickets for Oktoberfest and had a cracking time at the event. It is a nice clean card with all the details typed onto the card, including the message (see below), but it is a genuine used item and not one used with a philatelic aim. It is not worth very much, but, as you will have realised by now it is not the value of a card that greatly interests me (don’t get me wrong, I like value, but this is a bonus rather than a requirement for my collection).
‘Oktoberfest’ special cancellation 1966
Enlarged image
03/12/2017
PENNY POSTAGE
Artwork by
RICHARD BLAKE
Published by
RICHARD BLAKE POST CARDS
(Copyright 1988)
Ref: PH 228
It can be surprising just how many postcards have been issued which either depict the Penny Black stamp, or give illustrations or details around the stamps history. This one is by the artist Richard Blake who issued a wide range of postcards in the late 1980’s through to the late 1990’s. At one point he was a well-known, and respected modern postcard artist, issuing his own series of postcards, from which this card is taken, and having illustrations published on postcard by the then National Postal Museum. I have a wide selection of his postcards and met him on a couple of occasions (I even commissioned him once to supply artwork for a 1994 Picture Postcard Centenary postcard that I published – I shall dig out a copy and depict it on the webpage soon).
03/12/2017
WWI
THE FALL OF BAGHDAD
BRITISH TROOPS & GENERAL MAUDE
ENTERING BAGHDAD
MARCH 1917
Published by
CoIR CARDS
Ref: 2017.CR.222
Although this company issue some ‘really’ up to date event commemorative cards they also have some very interesting anniversary ones as well. I suspect this was the only postcard issued in relation to this 100th anniversary so it is perhaps appropriate that it is also a good one. I doubt this sold in any great number and it may turn out to be one of this companies harder to source cards in the future.
03/02/2017
THE LAST CAR AT SOUTHEND
Published by
JT Co, London
In their:
‘PIONEER SERIES’
The ‘Last Car’ cartoon is a well-used format which can be found on postcards from all over the country in places where tourists or groups of people would visit or gather. The idea of the joke being that at the end of the holiday day everyone needs to get home, so you have all the people trying to ram themselves on the last trolley bus or tram, or even a train sometimes, in an attempt, to get home or to their hotel or guest house. These are nearly always hand drawn cartoons because of the number of people they are trying to depict as hanging onto the sides, roofs and front and back of the depicted vehicle (health & safety would have a fit). You will no doubt have noticed that this card mentions, again, my home town of Southend (which was one of the reasons I wanted it). But, this card is special for another reason.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
This is a self-publicity advert postcard. These would be used to show a shopkeeper or stall holder what could be one and for how much. A travelling salesperson, or local salesman would hand these out to try and get an order. They are not uncommon, copies from various publishers/printers can be found, and on a range of different postcard images. This is very good example of the basic style and set up of the printing used on this type of advert card. This one cost me a little more than perhaps these are worth, but, this was because it was my home town and any card sells better in its depicted or mentioned locale.
03/12/2017
THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
HOGSMEADE
POSTCARD PACK
(10 POSTCARDS)
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
FLORIDA
When I visited the ‘Universal Studios’ theme parks this year I found that a second postcard pack was available – one for the original Hogsmeade area. This is in the same format as the Diagon Alley postcard pack which I have already posted here (check the November 2017 Blog 3 Tab and the dated entry 25/11/2017 for this other pack and its cards). All ten of the postcards contained in this pack have the same postcard reverse (see below) and have no titles or descriptive text or numbering system. The pack is cheaper than you would expect and the cards make a great souvenir of any visit here (although, sadly, I did not see anyone else buying any of these, but I am sure they are being bought up still)
FRONT COVER OF POSTCARD PACK
Features a night time view of the main street area
REVERSE SIDE OF HOGSMEADE POSTCARD PACK
Here the ten postcards contained in the pack can be seen illustrated
HONEYDUKES
The sweet shop
This is where you can buy your chocolate frogs and your Bertie Botts every flavour beans (personally I like the ‘Fudge Flies’ – I don’t recommend the Butterbeer falvoured fudge though, it is WAY too sweet, even for me and I love sweet, and fudge for that matter!)
THE OWL POST
My favourite shop in this part of the theme park. It is here that you can buy the postcards depicted here on the webpage. You can also get your ‘HOGSMEADE - OWL POST’ cachet applied to cards here and buy other stationery type souvenirs, including exclusive ‘Potter’ related postage stamps. A must stop location for any postcard or stamp collector.
REVERSE SIDE OF POSTCARD
with
HOGSMEADE
OWL POST
cachet
This is the standard ‘Hogwarts Castle’ reverse type which is used on all the postcards in this set. Here you can also see the ‘HOGSMEADE – OWL POST’ cachet which can be applied to cards and other items at the Owl Post shop (see above). All, of the ten postcards in my set here have had the cachet applied to the reverse side – I recommend this as it shows that you were ‘actually’ here – the cachet is not promoted very well so you need to ask for it. They also sell exclusive Harry Potter stamps here as well, but these are under the counter, and have-to be asked for. They are expensive but are also exclusive to this theme park. Postcards posted using these exclusive stamps are very collectible and rarely seen to be honest (although I have posted cards to myself using them for my collection – I will dig some out and post them on the webpage in the future)
NON POSTCARD ITEM
EXCLUSIVE STAMP SHEET
HOGWARTS EXPRESS
49 CENT STAMPS
This is one of the exclusive stamp sheets sold at the Owl Post shop. They are rarely out on display and on my last two visits I have had to ask for them as they were under the counter. As previously stated they are expensive, but, they make for a very unusual souvenir and they are proper postage stamps and can be used to post cards and envelopes.
DUMBLEDORES OFFICE
This is the office you pass through on your way, in the queue, to the Castles theme park ride
THE MONSTER BOOK OF MONSTERS
If you want to see this, and it is worth it as it growl’s and moves every so often, it is in the Owl Post shop – in the back room, some people miss it, and some are unaware that it does move.
THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
One of the most popular photo points in the theme park. This is the original train model that was here before they opened-up the Diagon Alley area, which of course you can access by train (actually a monorail really, but they cover this fact up really well) via the newly added Hogsmeade Station - opened when they opened the Diagon Alley area - so although this image here does seem to portray an image of Hogsmeade Station, which it was meant to, it is now not the station anymore). This train depicted here does not move so do not think that this is the train you travel on.
BUTTERBEER
Probably every visitor to the theme park tries this at least once, some, like me, on every trip as they like its sweet taste, which is a bit like a honeyed cream soda (which is the best way I can describe it when people ask me what its tastes like). The special mug can also be bought and kept as a souvenir (it is larger sized than the one you get at the Harry Potter Experience here in the UK (they look great side by side on a shelf).
HOGWARTS CASTLE AT NIGHT
Contains my favourite theme park Harry Potter ride (Jo prefers the Gringotts ride, but she is wrong). They have just recently opened-up a new light show for Christmas which is projected onto the Castle. Almost want to go back just to see this!!!
HOGSMEADE AT NIGHT
This postcard gives the full view of the photograph used on the front cover of the postcard pack (this is the opposite way around to the Diagon Alley pack as there the fuller image is on the cover and a smaller version is on the postcard!). This is a lovely photograph, but you really do have to stay until really late to see it as empty as it is shown here!!!
THE SORTING HAT
You come across this at the end of the queue for the castle ride, just before you step out and onto the ride carriages. It does speak to you and gives advice to riders, and I love the fact that it is also voiced by Leslie Phillips, who voices the hat in the film (I have his autograph in my collection somewhere).
THE HOGS HEAD
This is mounted on the wall behind the bar area at the side of the Three Broomsticks restaurant. It used to roar and move occasionally but I have not seen it do this on my last couple of visits.
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