19/07/2017
BRITISH MUSEUM
Part Two
So, here is my second selection of postcards obtained on my most recent visit to the British Museum in London. It was not until I looked at this second selection that I realised how many of these contain some sort of animal within the item depicted, but then this is how my collection started off way back as a child. But, before these are depicted I start off with one of the most iconic items in the museum’s collection.
SUTTON HOO HELMET
From Suffolk, England
Early 7th century AD
Official Museum Postcard
Ref: E02090
I have driven past the place where this famous treasure hoard was discovered but have never actually been inside the grounds to see the location itself. But, here in the museum I always pay a visit to the hall where this amazing helmet is on display.
TWO ELEPHANTS BATHE THE GODDESS GAJA LAKSHMI WHO IS SEATED ON A LOTUS
Circa 1780
Opaque watercolour on paper
Bundi, India
Official Museum Postcard
The first of the postcards with an animal connection
TWO STUDIES OF A CHEETAH WITH A BLUE COLLAR AND LEASH
Follower of Giovannio de’ Grassi (active 1380’s – 1398)
Circa 1400 – 1410
Watercolour and bodycolour on vellum
Official Museum Postcard
This is very much the type of postcard that I used to get very excited about finding as a child. It is clearly an animal related postcard but it also has a strong history connection, and, the picture is a delight
ALICE AND THE CHESHIRE CAT
By
Sir John Tenniel (1821 – 1914)
From England
Circa AD 1865
Official Museum Postcard
Ref: E02750
There are a number of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ collectors and the character appears on many postcards. This image seen here is a famous one and can be found on other postcards but more normally with the added text that should appear in the large white box to the right side of Alice.
ASHURBANIPAL KILLING A WOUNDED LION WITH HIS SWORD
NINEVEH, NORTHERN IRAQ
Neo-Assyrian
Around 645 BC
Official Museum Postcard
Part of a series of stone reliefs showing a royal lion hunt. The image of a king killing lions, a symbol of divinely sanctioned defeat of the dangerous forces of nature, is an ancient one in Mesopotamia. Ashurbanipal reigned between 883 and 859 BC
Another interesting ‘animal’ related postcard
PRIZE-WINNING NEBUTA
By
Takashi Kitamura
Official Museum Postcard
This large festival float from Aomori City, Japan, was built for the Nebuta Festival in 2001 where it was awarded the first prize. The theme is inspired by the Chinese tale of the Three Kingdoms.
Photograph by
Sara Pimpaneau
This one was a must have postcard image for me as it features my favourite animal – the Tiger. I have a wide collection of Tiger themed postcards and this includes art images.
DANCING GIRLS, DETAIL
Official Museum Postcard
Ref: E00430
Two dancing girls at a banquet in honour of the tomb-owner bend down and twist. The curvaceous lines create an erotic sense of interwoven moving bodies.
From one of the eleven fragments of wall-paintings from Nebamuns tomb-chapel, Luxor.
From Circa 1350 BC
Official Museum Postcard
Ref: E00430
FULL POSTCARD VERSION – NO BORDER
DANCING GIRLS, DETAIL
Official Museum Postcard
Ref: E00430
Postcard image as above
POSTCARD VERSION WITH WHITE BORDER
I like it when postcards come with slight differences. These two postcards have the same front image but the one above does not have any boarder, whilst this one does. This is despite these two postcards having the same reference number. They were also on sale at the same time.
THE PARTHENON SCULPTURES, EAST PEDIMENT, GREECE, 438 – 432 BC
COLOSSAL HUMAN-HEADED WINGED BULLS, ASSYRIA, Circa 865 BC
EGYPTIAN SCULPTURE, 2060 BC – 2nd CENTURY AD
APHRODITE (LELY’S VENUS), ROMAN COPY, LATE THIRD OR SECOND CENTURY BC
Official Museum Postcard
Ref: E06570
One of a small number of multi-view postcards available from the museum’s shop. These are generally not as popular as single image postcards with collectors. But, they are popular with the’ general public’, who like to send this type of postcard to friends and family when on holiday.
HUNTING IN THE MARSHES, circa 1350 BC
GILDED MUMMY MASK, LATE 1st CENTURY BC- Early 1ST CENTURY AD
BRONZE FIGURE OF A SEATED CAT, AFTER 600 BC
THE ROSETTA STONE, circa 196 BC
Official Museum Postcard
Ref: E04600
When I was a child I visited the British Museum and on that trip, I bought a postcard which depicts the seated cat that appears on this multi-view postcard. I still have that postcard in my collection (somewhere – if I find it I will place it on the webpage). I bought it because it fitted into my collection at the time, which was just a collection of postcards of animals. So, when I saw this one here I knew I would end up buying it to add to my far more eclectic current collection.
So, that is my second, and for now last selection of British Museum postcards but when we go back I will see about buying some of the ones I did not pick up this trip.
18/07/2017
RENDEZ-VOUS A LA TOUR EIFFEL
HECTOR
ELZBIETA
Published by
NOUVELLES IMAGES
Ref: HC 139
Copyright 1989
Because of its close connection with the early days of French television history I have always collected postcards related to, and depicting the Eiffel Tower, even whimsical ones like this one. You ‘have’ to love the thought of an elephant being raised by a large balloon beside the Tower itself.
ENLARGEMENT OF LOGO ON REVERSE SIDE
18/07/2017
BLOOMSBURY COLLECTOR’S FAIR
SUNDAY 28TH APRIL
2002
Published by
IPM PROMOTIONS
Ref: B193
Printed in a Limited Edition of 1250
Design by
Deborah King
This was a free entry postcard handed out to all visitors to this fair. The company IPM Promotions have been running monthly fairs for many years, in fact 2002 was their 25th year of fairs! The company have used a wide range of artists and illustrators to produce images for their free postcards and it can be said that some have been better than others but then they are issuing a large number each year with a quick turn around each month. This one depicts a giraffe, I expect for no other reason than the artist decided to do so….and why not.
18/07/2017
THICK PADDIES
"There were these thick Paddies..."
By
Bob Starrett
Published by
LEEDS POSTCARDS
NAMES PRINTED IN RED
VERSION
(No Reference Number)
This cartoon poster design combats the ‘Thick Paddies’ view often taken by comedians when used as a joke format or lead in to a supposedly comic story. The view is negated by the list of educated and literate famous Irish personalities who are named in the list that appears behind the large comedian.
A nice turn around on the normal expected approach.
THICK PADDIES
By
Bob Starrett
Published by
LEEDS POSTCARDS
NAMES PRINTED IN GREEN
VERSION
Ref: L082
This was a later printing which received a reference number and upon which the list of Irish personalities was printed in green. This is a nice example of where this company re-released a popular design but changed some aspect of it so that the dedicated collectors could still take a copy and add to their collections. This was a common, and not unappreciated, policy for this company who were by far the best ‘political’ issuing postcard company of the 1980’s and 1990’s.
17/07/2017
ED WOOD
‘A Tim Burton Film’
WINNER OF 2 OSCARS
At Cinemas across the West End from May 26
Image from the 1994 film ‘Ed Wood’ which starred Johnny Depp as the cult (but very bad) film maker of the film’s title. The film is based on the period when Wood was making some of the cult films for which he became famous for. This image depicts Johnny Depp as the main character and Sarah Jessica Parker, one of Ed’s girlfriends.
Another actor from this film is Martin Landau, who played the part of the elderly actor Bela Lugosi, who became famous playing the part of Dracula in an early film version. Martin Landau was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for this portrayal.
MARTIN LANDAU ….. RIP
20TH June 1928 – 15th July 2017
Actor from the world of Television (Mission Impossible – Space 1999) and Film (North by Northwest – Cleopatra – Meteor – The Greatest Story Ever Told – Tucker: The Man and his Dreams – Ed Wood). Landau received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his appearance in the film ‘Ed Wood’.
PHOTOGRAPH
MARTIN LANDAU
Depicted here playing the part of Bela Lugosi in the film ‘Ed Wood’ with Johnny Depp as Ed Wood
17/07/2017
UNTITLED
IRON MAIDEN HOLDINGS LTD
Published by
ATHENA INTERNATIONAL
Ref: 0334316
The character known as ‘Eddie’, depicted here, was the mascot for the rock band called ‘Iron Maiden’. Eddie appeared on album covers, posters and concert promotional material along with other sales items, including postcards. Eddie was a type of human monster, or possibly a zombie or such like creature. So, I believed this was an appropriate postcard image, possibly, to go with the announcement of the sad death of one of movie lands most famous film makers:
GEORGE A. ROMERO ….. RIP
George Andrew Romero
4th February 1940 – 16th July 2017
Film maker, writer and editor best known for his series of Zombie apocalypse movies such as ‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968), ‘Dawn of the Dead’ (1978) and ‘Day of the Dead’ (1985).
16/07/2017
SLIOCH & LOCH MAREE
SCOTLAND
WESTER ROSS
THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Published by
STIRLING GALLERY PUBLICATIONS
Ref: WR/19-481
Most good quality modern (as in issued in the past 20 years) postcards have been published in a larger format with attractive boxed front images (often really good quality photograph) contained within boarders that have areas of text which describe the location(s) depicted. This is a very typical example.
From Reverse side of above Postcard
SLOGAN POSTMARK
‘Don’t forget Father’s Day Sunday 18 June’
This slogan was in use for a short period of time prior to this year’s Father’s Day. Obviously, with the date changing every year, this slogan changes yearly and these can be very collectible depending on how long they were in use.
16/07/2017
BUNNIES IN A BOX
THE BUNNY SUICIDE POSTCARD COLLECTION
By
ANDY RILEY
Copyright 2006
This is a boxed collection of 40 postcards depicting some of the cartoons by Andy Riley for his books about his little creations, the Suicide Bunnies. The idea is that his bunnies are all trying to die and are doing so in inventive and unusual ways (this collection follows on from the tradition started way back with the ‘101 Things to do with a Dead Cat’ cartoon book first issued 1981 by the late Simon Bond – some readers may remember how popular that book was, it spawned two sequels).
It was my son James who bought me this boxed ‘Bunnies’ postcard set and as a lover of cartoons anyway it is one that I was pleased to receive.
Don’t worry, I am not even going to try and depict all 40 cards here, but a selection will go to show what these cards look like. Here is a selection of my favourites from the box.
(These do not have any numbering system and the cards are not individually titled, so the titles used here are my own)
CROCODILE
This is the cartoon that appears on the box cover
DOCTOR WHO
This is my favourite cartoon from the collection, for obvious reasons. This is one of the cards from the set, there are several, which have a television theme. The Doctor depicted here is clearly the fourth doctor, as portrayed by Tom Baker, the longest serving actor in the role. You also get the bonus of a Dalek and the Tardis.
SHARK BEACH
GULF WAR
SADDAM HUSSEIN STATUE TOPPLE
LORD OF THE RINGS
This image is based on the tower that appears in the feature film versions of the famous J.R.R. Tolkien story. Although, in my mind the bunny is a bit of a giant!
OLYMPIC GAMES
This is probably the best of the designs, and one which could fit into any Olympic themed collection. It is helped a bit by the subtle appearance of the bunny ears appearing from the Olympic games torch dish.
DVD PLAYER
Another with a television connection
TREE FELLING
DOG TAIL STAPLE
PALM TREE SPLIT
There was an old Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan film where the natives did this to some captured people, I remember thinking then that it looked painful
STAR WARS
Clearly Star Wars based, although Andy Riley did well to not draw Darth Vader’s exact helmet design (a nice escape from the Star Wars very tight copyright world).
FATAL ATTRACTION
A nice twist which will be lost on anyone who has not seen the film ‘Fatal Attraction’. For those who have seen the film I assume you all remember what happened to the bunny in it!
ASSAULT CRAFT LANDING
A lot of these type of collections try and court controversy, and I have included this design because I think it is the one which does this the most. The obvious assumption, although it is not stated, is that this is D-Day. The landing crafts were badly shot up on their approach and beaching and many soldiers died on the tideline, especially on Omaha Beach. So, I think there is a touch of the ‘bad taste’ feeling about this design. But, maybe it is just trying to say that the bunnies are there because war causes so many casualties, and any frontal beach assault is considered one of the most dangerous of military assaults.
I hope you like my selection and if interested seek out this collection. It originally cost £9.99 but I have seen sets sell much cheaper on eBay (I obtained a second box set for £1.99, so bargains are out there).
15/07/2017
WE NEED VIVISECTION
LIKE A HOLE IN THE HEAD
BUAV
(British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection)
Published on behalf of the
BUAV
I remember reading books that were released throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s which were about the world of vivisection and what was happening. During this period, there was a strong anti-vivisection movement with the BUAV being part of the official side of the campaign. Part of their campaign involved the issue of postcards with strong images which often depicted experiments which were conducted on animals at the time. This is one of a typical style which came out in the 1980’s, I also have one like this which depicts a monkey.
15/07/2017
HALLEY’S COMET
THE EARTH’S MOST FAMOUS COMET
Photograph taken on 10th May 1910
Published by
CHAPTER AND VERSE
Distributed by
IMAGES & EDITIONS
Ref: HC3
There is a small but really dedicated group of ‘space’ theme collectors and postcards like this one here would be eagerly sought. This one depicts what is probably the most well-known comet. There is a very small potted history on the reverse side related to the alleged curse of this comet.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
15/07/2017
POSTCARDS
THREE STARR COLLECTOR SERIES
THREE-STARR PRESS
IOWA
Published in 1983
During the 1980’s and beyond, in America, there were lots of postcard related advertising postcards published which advertised postcard services, series’ and companies. These were often simple designs but no less interesting or collectible as a result. I like these and they can often be picked up quite cheaply and can be found priced in the 50p – 75p range.
15/07/2017
BLACK OR WHITE?
By
MARGARET PAUFFLEY
Winner of the Equal Rights Poster Competition
1983
Published by
LEEDS POSTCARDS
Ref: L292
“The Minority Rights Group works for justice for minority (or majority) groups suffering discrimination, and to educate and alert public opinion about violations of human rights”
(Text from reverse side of postcard)
A simple but effective poster design on a postcard from the 1980’s. This was a popular LEEDS POSTCARDS issue and one with a message which is still important today over thirty years after tis postcard was published.
15/07/2017
CONCORDE G-BOAB
At London – Heathrow in February 2016
Photo’s by
Henk Heiden
This was a free postcard included with the sending of the latest newsletter of the ‘Concorde Study Circle’. One of the bonuses of being a member of this specialised club is exclusive club postcards like this.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Henk, who is a member of the study circle, often adds images to the reverse side of his specialised postcards, which are also produced in very low numbers. This one is a real cracker and will be almost impossible to obtain outside of the ‘Circle’.
15/07/2017
UNTITLED
Novelty shaped postcard
Published by
PAPERCHASE
Ref: FSC C104990
This postcard is shaped to look like a baggage label whilst depicting a wide range of luggage labels from around the world. The black hole towards the top is an actual hole in the card, again making this resemble and actual label. This card was recently bought in London and it is one that I had not seen before.
15/07/2017
JIMI HENDRIX BLUE 1977
Screenprint on paper
Photograph By
LINDA MCCARTNEY
TATE GALLERY
Museum and Gallery postcards can sometimes bring up images which fit very nicely into unexpected thematic collections. This image here is an art image and should therefore be placed in an art collection, but, it quite clearly depicts the rock star Jimi Hendrix so this card can also be placed in a ‘Music’ or ‘Pop Stars’ collection. It is also a very nice card.
15/07/2017
DOCRAFTS
CREATIVITY
MAGAZINE
PHOTOGRAPH
FRONT COVER OF MAGAZINE
Inside the cellophane wrapper
(Special reduced price - £1)
My wife Jo found this and bought it for me because it came with a free exclusive mini colour-in postcard and some sticker packs, one of which can be seen here beside the opened package.
PHOTOGRAPH
MAGAZINE COVER
Removed from external wrapper
PHOTOGRAPH
Sticker pack
This was the other sticker pack which came free with this magazine. I liked this one because it has a postcard element in at least one of the sticker designs.
COLOUR ME
MINI POSTCARDS
This pack again came free with the above magazine. The pack contains two very small, I have placed a 50p coin next to the pack so that you can see just how small these are, wooden postcards. This image depicts the front of the package and card.
COLOUR ME
MINI POSTCARDS
This photograph shows the back of the pack and the back of one of the postcards. I am not sure how much this original magazine was but at £1 this was a smashing bargain and has added another unusual postcard to my novelty collection.
12/07/2017
THE MACHIN DEFINITIVE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Royal Mail
PHQ Stamp Card Set
This was a highly anticipated stamp set in the philatelic world but one which was not quite as popular outside it. This is a good example of the stamps being OK, but the postcards (Stamp Cards) being much better (in my opinion). Set issued 5th June 2017
(TOP)
ONE OF MANY PRELIMINARY SKETCHES BY ARNOLD MACHIN BASED ON THE PENNY BLACK
JANUARY 1966
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (1) 6.17
(BOTTOM)
PREPARATORY WORK BY MACHIN USING A PHOTOGRAPH OF HIS COIN MOULD
FEBRUARY 1966
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (2) 6.17
ONE OF MANY ESSAYS WITH THE ‘COINAGE’ HEAD SURROUNDED BY COUNTRY SYMBOLS
APRIL/MAY 1966
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (3) 6.17
ESSAY OF THE ‘COINAGE’ HEAD CROPPED AND SIMPLIFIED, WITH ONLY THE DENOMINATION
OCTOBER 1966
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (4) 6.17
PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN HEDGECOE WITH THE QUEEN WEARING THE DIADEM
AUGUST 1966
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (5) 6.17
ESSAY OF THE FIRST PLASTER CAST OF THE ‘DIADEM’ HEAD, WITHOUT CORSAGE
OCTOBER 1966
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (6) 6.17
MINIATURE SHEET
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (7) 6.17
This sheet, one of two issued at the same time, contains all six of the stamps individually depicted on the previous six Stamp Cards. The stamp sheet is quite long and is too big to appear on just one card. So, the sheet has been cut in half and this card has received the left-hand side of the sheet.
MINIATURE SHEET
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (7) 6.17
This copy of the card has received the right-hand side of the stamp sheet
THE MACHIN DEFINITIVE: GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
MINIATURE SHEET
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (8) 6.17
This second miniature sheet contains a range of Machin head stamps. Again, the sheet is very long and a single sheet would not fit on the Stamp Card that depicts it. Again, the sheet has been cut in half and here the left-hand side of the sheet has been applied.
THE MACHIN DEFINITIVE: GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
MINIATURE SHEET
Royal Mail PHQ Stamp Card
Ref: PHQ 429 (8) 6.17
This copy of the card has received the right side of the stamp sheet. The special stamp on this half of the sheet is the gold printed, slightly larger stamp which is very shiny and unique to this sheet. The effect of the 'Gold' shine is somewhat subdued here on this scan - it is much more impressive in reality..
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