25/11/2017

LANDS END AND LONGSHIPS FROM NORTH

Ref: T4817T.JV.

Unknown Publisher

There are no shortages of postcards depicting Land’s End, this is because it is one of those places that tourists seem to flock too (although I have only been here once, as a kid on a family holiday to Cornwall). As such basic view postcards are very cheap, with one exception. And this is those which have received a ‘Lands End’ cachet of some sort.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

LANDS END CACHET

This postcard has received a triangular purple coloured cachet applied at the location. In the 8^th edition of the Stanley Gibbons: Collect British Postmarks catalogue this cachet is referenced 24/107 – Land’s End single triangle, purple, in use between 1925 and 1929. I previously mentioned my interest in postcard s used with cachets or all types, and this is another from my collection of these.

25/11/2017

PHOTOGRAPH

OCTOBER 2015

DISNEY SPRINGS

WALT DISNEY WORLD, FLORIDA

I took this photograph when I was walking around a cloths shop in Disney Springs, Florida on one of my holidays here. It is a display stand which is (was?) used to give a bit of old time flair to the hat display area. I thought it was a great use of an old postcard image. It certainly caught my eye.

25/11/2017

VISIT TO:

RAF DIGBY

LINCOLN

Earlier this year I was lucky enough to go on a pre-arranged visit to RAF Digby with my Essex Police Military History Club. This is a former RAF Station which was later (2005) run by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Service Signals Organisation (so it is all a bit ‘secret squirrel’ now). But, they have a restored RAF World War II Sector Operations Room museum here which is well worth a visit, all be it that these ‘have’ to be pre-booked. The museum is great, and they also have a very small shop area which has four postcards which are unique to the location

“RUNING UP”

HAWKER HURRICANE MK 1 (Z3658)

Of 401 Sqn

RCAF DIGBY

In March 1941

Published by

John Hinde

For

RAF DIGBY

Ref: 2/4871

I am interested in all periods of military conflict, but it is World War II that I am most interested in. I am always looking out for unusual museum related postcards as often these are the cards which you will not see anywhere else. They also make a great souvenir of any visit.

HM KING GEORGE VI VISITS RAF DIGBY

2^ND NOVEMBER 1939

611 SQUADRON PILOTS AND

MK 1 SPITFIRES ON PARADE

Published by

John Hinde

For

RAF DIGBY

Ref: 2/3190

If you collect military postcards you will be aware that there is always a strong connection between the army forces fighting and their Monarch, leader. This is most certainly the case in the UK. Here you can see George VI visiting this RAF base. What royalty collector could resist adding this card to their collection?

VISITING VICKERS WELLINGTON

MK X (MF 560 KJ-0) OF 11 OUT

AT RAF DIGBY IN WINTER 1944

IN THE BACKGROUND IS THE CONTROL TOWER

Published by

John Hinde

For

RAF DIGBY

Ref: 2/3189

One for warplane collectors (a nice photograph as well)

THE RESTORED RAF DIGBY SECTOR OPERATION’S ROOM MUSEUM

CIRCA SEPTEMBER 1939

(The photograph is not from 1939, this is a modern photograph of the museum area as it appears now, 1939 is from when this operations room was active)

The museum also details the history of RAF Digby 1918 – 1945

Published by

John Hinde

For

RAF DIGBY

Ref: 2/4872

PHOTOGRAPH

This is a photograph I took whilst our guide gave us a talk.

I think, by luck really, that this is almost from the same point that the postcard photograph was taken.

A collection of postcards and photographs, placed together enhances the interest of any viewer and collector.  

25/11/2017

AUSTRIA

POSTAL STATIONERY POST CARD

1988

EUROPA – TELECOMMUNICATIONS

This has a pre-printed postage stamp image which is the same as an issued stamp which came out for the Europa – Telecommunications commemoration (SG 2163). This card was either used by a specialist collector or dealer to receive a really nice special hand stamp which features the same satellite dish, at Alfenz, that appears on the stamp design. The hand stamp was for an advertising exhibition in Grabnitz between 13 – 15^th May 1988. The cancel is dated on the first day of this exhibition – 13^th May 1988. It makes for a nice combination. The hand stamp also marks the first day of issue for this postal stationery post card and the stamp printed upon it, which adds value.      

25/11/2017

DOCTOR WHO

40^TH ANNIVERSARY

1963 – 2003

Published by

C. ROACH

Ref: C. 101

The 50^th anniversary was much publicised with many souvenir items released, but ten years earlier I think this was the only item I found. It’s a computer-generated postcard design, which C. Roach specialised in (and still does in his CoIR card releases, many of which have been posted on the webpage). As a big Dr Who fan I liked this one and bought a handful and decided to have, I think it was 10, postmarked on the actual anniversary date (fortunately the card was released in advance of the actual date).

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

I used one of the then 2003 Christmas design stamps and had it cancelled with the then ongoing constant special hand stamp used by the Strand Stamp Company on their Dr Who covers: COSMO PLACE, LONDON WC1 – Reach for the Sky – 23 NOV 2003’. I used this one because it depicts a Tardis in it. So, if you find any card used in this format it may be one of the ten I produced.      

25/11/2017

SOUTH AFRICA

Postal Stationery Post Cards

1d

TOP

THE OLD MILL, CAPE

BOTTOM

NATIONAL PARK, DRAKENSBERG

These postal stationery postcards come from a set of eight, in the Higgins & Gage catalogue they are stated as being from Cylinder #3, but it gets confusing as to which cards I have as these appear to have been published a few times as follows:

MAY 1951 – Views in sepia – soft cream card

JULY 1951 – Views in slate to slate-brown – soft cream card

OCTOBER 1951 – Views in brown – hard cream card

1952 – Views in red-brown – smooth cream card with one side ribbed

OCTOBER 1952 – Views in chocolate brown – hard white card

(there is also a 1953 issue with the views in green shades – but I am happy my cards are not from this release)   

So, which ones do I have? I am happy these are not the May 51 sepia cards, I think. But, really, I am not this much of an expert, and its all a bit complicated if you look too much into these. I suspect though, that these are possibly from either the July 51 or October 51 printings. Whichever, these crop up often (no surprise there considering how many times they were printed!), and cost just a few pence normally. Good luck to anyone trying to become an expert in these!

25/11/2017

PRINTED TO PRIVATE ORDER

POST CARD

½ D GREEN KING GEORGE V

Higgins & Gage Catalogue Reference:

14a – Die A

Issued between 1913 – 1926

It was possible to have your own postage pre-paid postcards printed, which meant that the thickness of the card used, and the size could be different, making them stand out a bit more I suspect. This option was taken up by many companies as they could have details printed on the reverse side. This card here was has a pre-printed ½ d King George V stamp and was printed for a company located in Newcastle-On Tyne. It was posted on 11^th March 1914 and has what I think is a Columbia (single impression machine) cancel for Newcastle-on-Tyne dated 11^th March 1914.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

OSBECK & COMPANY Ltd.,

Timber Merchants

4 St, Nicholas Buildings

Newcastle-on-Tyne

Company details printed across top

25/11/2017

AUSTRIA

2 Kreuzer Pre-Printed Postage Stamp

This is another ‘A’ letter country so again I do not have the relevant ‘Higgins & Gage’ catalogue segment

so, I do not know exact details about its release, but I can make some guesses. The pre-printed stamp uses a head motif which was not used until 1890, so this card could not have come out before that year. Also, the card is used, and the postmark is dated 1891, so, the card was released between 1890 – 1891. The pre-printed stamp design is unique to postal stationery, i.e. it was not released as an actual, individual, postage stamp.

The pre-printed stamp is a 2 kreuzer value, but this only covered certain areas for postage. The sender wanted this to come to the UK (Bournemouth) so needed to attach added postage which was done by way of an additional 3 kreuzer (green) stamp (SG 81) which was issued in 1890, thus again agreeing with our estimated area of issue for the card itself.

The cancel used is from ‘Wien’, better known to most as ‘Vienna’, and although I can see it was posted in 1891 I cannot make out the month or day. Although not worth very much it is still an attractively used card.

25/11/2017

THOR – RAGNAROK

Published For

ODEON CINEMAS

Plain-backed Publicity Cards

On the 8^th Nov I posted on the webpage a Thor publicity card which I had picked up at my local Odeon Cinema. I also said that I was aware that there were four other cards in the set which had not been available at my local Odeon.

Thankfully, I have managed to obtain a cheap set from eBay (just £1), so I can now show you the remaining images in the set. But, to remind you of what the original Thor card looked like I shall show you again what it looks like by picturing it here first.

(Repeat Posting)

THOR

THE HULK

Played by Mark Ruffalo in the film, although obviously the character is often a CGI creature on the screen, and as depicted here on this card. Of the five cards available this one is my favourite. I think this image really packs a punch (no pun intended)

HELA

The main big baddie of the film, played by the actress Cate Blanchett. I still have not seen this film but from the trailers I have seen it looks liken she was having fun with this character.

LOKI

Played again by Tom Hiddleston who has now played this character in a ‘number’ of films and he is a very popular character, one who supplies much comedy to the superhero films he appears in. 

VALKYRIE

Played by Tessa Thompson

The five poster designs all follow a similar pattern and capture the essence of the characters depicted and the action which I am sure the film supplies. This is a cracking set and one which is well worth seeking out and which should be quite cheap to obtain, if you don’t find them for free first.

25/11/2017

FUND RAISING IS FUN

Photograph by

Jorvik Calendars

Sold in aid of Kirkwood Hospice

Published by Jorvik Calendays

Printed by

Judges Postcards Ltd., Hastings

With the number of Disney related postcards I have posted on the webpage over the past year it must be obvious that I collect this theme… a lot … so, when I see an unusual picture which has any sort of Disney reference I normally pick it up. This one came in a bundle of charity cards I was sent recently (I buy a ‘number’ of bundles of cards from someone who raises money on behalf of the Sudan Church Appeal). It is possibly the strangest photograph of Mickey Mouse I have seen! This is a calendar charity postcard, one of many thousands of such like cards which mostly seem to be thrown way, or considered to be ‘pretty worthless’. Whilst I accept that many of these show photographs which do not fit into any obvious theme, although flowers and fields seem to crop up a lot, every so often something unusual or amusing, and this one definitely fits that bill.

25/11/2017

AIRPORT OF GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN

(For Land – and Seaplanes)

Unknown Publisher

This is one of those postcards which can confuse the collector who looks quickly at it. The card itself I believe is probably an earlier one from around the 1920’s era, but then a look at the reverse side only throws the viewer into more confusion date wise because of its use.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

This postcard has been used by someone to receive a special 50^th anniversary hand stamp dated 25^th August 1973 from GOTEBORG, TORSLANDA (Gothenburg, Torslanda). Torslanda is an urban district within the Gothenburg Municipality. This cancel relates to an International Aero Exhibition held in Gothenburg and celebrates 50 years of International Flying contests.

The card also has a ‘FLYGHAMNEN’ single word cachet (this means AIR PORT), and a shield pictorial ‘Goteborgs Flyghamen’ cachet (GOTHENBURG AIR PORT).

There is also an unusual three-line text cachet on the right side:

Uppvisat for pollsmyndighet

Vid avresa fran flyghamnen

Torslanda den……………..192.

(Presented to the polling authority

On departure from the airport.

Torslanda in …………………192.)

The 192. was obviously an area for the completion of the year, say 1923, or similar. So, is this an original cachet from the 1920’s which was applied to a mint card back then but not used, or was an old cachet applied to this postcard in 1973? I suspect it is the former (but cannot prove it).

The stamps used here are from the 1972 Swedish stamp set titled ‘Swedish Mailplanes’. You have the 5ore (lilac) Junkers F-13 in the centre (SG 695) and two copies of the 25ore (blue) Friedrichshafen FF-49 seaplane (SG 697), one either side of the 5ore stamp.

There is also a red circular Hot Air balloon cachet applied on the left side. This I know nothing about, but I do wonder if it was a cachet from the Aero Exhibition, or a private cachet applied for another reason.

So, what you end up with is here is what I think is a fascinating combination of factors on one postcard – and for £1, but I suspect I got it cheap.

25/11/2017

REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA

(REPUBLICA ARGENTINA)

Postal Stationery Post Card

26 DE JUNIO

Unfortunately, as I have previously mentioned, I do not have access to the Higgins & Gage ‘A’ countries catalogue, so I again find myself looking at a postal stationery post card which I know nothing about beyond the fact that the dates on the pre-printed stamp are 1821 – 1907, so I assume that logically that this was issued after 1907, so it is not a very early card (as far as postal stationery cards go, obviously 1907 was 110 years ago so its hardly recent!). The card is from Argentina and unusually for these cards has a photograph on the other side, see below. You can’t quite see it from these scans, but the card has rounded corners, again an unusual aspect for these cards. It is also slightly larger than normal. I like this but would love to know more about its release.      

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

ESTATUA DEL GENERAL BELGRANO

The statue known as the ‘Equestrian monument to General Manuel Belgrano’ is located in Buenos Aires and is in the Plaza de Mayo. The statue depicts General Manuel Belgrano holding the flag of Argentina. The statue is made of bronze and stands on a granite pedestal.  

25/11/2017

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER

DIAGON ALLEY

POSTCARD PACK

(10 POSTCARDS)

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

FLORIDA

I bought this pack last year on a visit to the Universal Studios shop in Orlando airport (I had been on an exclusive Disney only holiday and had not visited the Universal parks that year). It had not been on sale in the actual park in 2015 when I had last visited it. It is a lovely set of slightly larger sized postcards which depict things within the Diagon Alley section of the theme park. The postcards are not individually titled or numbered in any way, and they all have the same reverse layout (see below). I will depict the pack and its cards here:

POSTCARD PACK FRONT COVER

This depicts the dragon on top of the Gringotts Bank (it breathes out real fire every 15 minutes)

REVERSE SIDE OF POSTCARD PACK COVER

This depicts the ten postcards contained within the pack.

$9.95 is a reasonable price for a theme park sales item

GRINGOTTS BANK AND DRAGON

This is a closer view of the image used on the postcard pack cover

KNOCKTURN ALLEY

I thought this was a rather unusual image and one which makes the collection more interesting

HARRY POTTER CREATURE

PYGMY PUFF

This is one of the creatures that appears in the films. This is a cuddly version which is sold in the Harry Potter shops in the theme park. I am not sure just how popular these are as I cannot remember seeing anyone carrying one around but, they were obviously popular enough for one to appear here on this postcard (perhaps it was to promote them and hopefully sell some more!)

GRINGOTTS BANK

This is the inside area where you queue to get on the Gringotts ride

DIAGON ALLEY AT NIGHT

Here you can see the dragon breathing out fire

NAGINI

Lord Voldemort’s snake

This is part of a display that appears inside a specialist shop which sells creature related items. This is massive and is over in the back left corner if you enter the shop through its front door.

WEASLEY’S WIZARD WHEEZES

This is a shop just inside the entrance to Diagon Alley

SHOP SIGNS

A range of shop signs that can be seen in Diagon Alley

OLLIVANDERS

The front of the famous wand shop from the books and films, and yes, I do have an Ollivanders wand.

THE KNIGHT BUS

From the book and film titled ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. You can stand and have your photograph taken beside this full-size replica of the films bus, and this is a very popular activity.

REVERSE SIDE OF POSTCARD

This is the standard reverse postcard type for all of the above postcards from this set

24/11/2017

WHEN NO ONE’S LOOKING I’M GOING TO SELL HIM ON EBAY

Published by

CATH TATE CARDS

Ref: CT0991

Cath Tate has issued quite a range of these comic cards where they have depicted an old black and white photograph, which has been colourised. They then add a witty comment in the boarder and there you go, a funny card. I liked this one because of the mention of eBay (which is good use of a modern, well known commodity juxtaposed against an old image) and the look on the young girl’s face, which fits the comedic comment very nicely in deed.

24/11/2017

FROM GOOD OLD SOUTHEND

JUST A LINE

TO SAY I’M A1

MY LUGGAGE IN ADVANCE

Published by

TITCHFIELD SERIES COPYRIGHT

Ref: No 324

This is typical of the many golden age tourist aimed postcards issued in the early years of the last century. This one is very simple in design, which again was not uncommon. Obviously, I have bought this one because it again comes with the home town printed on the front.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

24/11/2017

THE BREAKERS

Published by

RAPHAEL TUCK & SONS

Ref: “ROUGH SEA” Postcard No. 871.

Phototyped in Saxony

“Rough Seas” is a known type of postcard design, and it is what it says, an image of, normally, very rough seas, often breaking upon a shoreline somewhere. Now, I admit I can not see what the fascination was in this type of postcard, and I am clearly not alone here as they have not continued to be a collectible theme in modern times. These old cards can be picked up for pennies (so long as the stamp used is not valuable, which they rarely are). This was ‘definitely’ a Victorian trend.

This ‘particular’ postcard here is quite important to my own collection because it was the very first postcard I bought which was not in some way directly linked to wildlife, although I allowed it to pass into my collection because there are – technically – seagulls flying in the sky (a slight connection I agree, but this was how I convinced myself to buy this one). I wanted this postcard because at the time I though 1901 was such an old date…, I have older ones now, but I was still learning about postcards at this time). But, to be honest, once I had bought this postcard it was only one more, small step, before I was buying non-wildlife related postcards and moving towards the multi-themed collecting world that I now inhabit.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

Posted 17^th September 1901

The Queen Victoria half-penny stamp has been cancelled with an ‘EAST MOLESEY’ small ring circular date stamp dated 17^th September 1901.

24/11/2017

MIKHAIL GORBACHEV

GAGNANT 1990

PRIX NOBEL DE LA PAIX

(NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 1990)

Design by

ANN RUSNAK

Limited Edition of 300

It has been awhile since I have posted an image by the American postcard artist Ann Rusnak. When I first saw this card, I thought it was a French card, and I still suspect, having examined the reverse layout which is typical of French cards of the time, the biggest clue of course being the use of ‘CARTE POSTALE’ across the top, that Ann was using French printers for some reason at this time (possible the cost). So, I did initially, despite being a big fan of her work, miss the fact that she had been responsible for this image. But, I should of recognised her work much sooner. Despite being in a print run of just 300 I suspect this can still be picked up from dealers for around £1 - £2.50.

24/11/2017

CROCODILE DUNDEE

IN

LOS ANGELES

“HE’S BACK FROM THE OUTBACK”

Free card Published by

John v/d Burg Indoor Media BV – Druk: Young Creations Drachten  

I was a big fan of the original ‘Crocodile Dundee’ movie (1986), and I enjoyed the sequel as well (1988) which upped the action and reversed the process as it started in America and then moved to Australia. This third installment came much later, in 2001 and is universally agreed upon as being nowhere near as good as the first two movies. This is true, but, I still have a soft spot for Crocodile Dundee and will watch this one when it comes on TV. This free advert card gives details on the reverse side of a competition that you could enter to win related prizes. This is also a Dutch issue and has added interest to me as result. 

24/11/2017

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

By

BANKSY

(Graffiti Artist)

Printed by

MOEDIK (Copyright 2011)

www.moedik.com

This is from a postcard book of Banksy artwork, surely some of the best-known graffiti art in the world. There are three books in a collection which depict a whole range of Banksy art (and I am sure that you are aware that the true identity of Banksy is not officially known). I do have all three of the postcard book’s, but I also have this one single copy of the Thomas the Tank Engine postcard, which I bought separately from eBay before acquiring the books. It is also one of my favourites as I have a separate Thomas the Tank Engine postcard collection (quite a large one) and this was to be an oddity amongst it.

With the popularity of Banksy material these postcards sell well individually on eBay.

24/11/2017

ARTICLES FROM RECENTLY RECEIVED MAGAZINES

The World of Coincidence

I learn a lot from magazines and have a number on standing order each month, but sometimes I see something I already have and either learn more about or just have the joy of seeing something I have being written about.

Well, consider my surprise when yesterday I opened my newly arrived PPM (Picture Postcard Monthly – December 2017 edition, No. 464) and saw on page 30 an image of the small Victorian scrap piece I had posted on my webpage only the night before (22/11/2017) – coincidence or what? The article was by Wendy Mann and a range of early Christmas card items were displayed with it.

Here is an image of part of the page in question, the part that shows the card in question.

Today I also picked up the December 2017 issue of ‘Gibbons Stamp Monthly Magazine’, which I read to learn more about the stamps and postal usage of items which may be connected to my postcard collection. One of the regular features in this magazine is an article titled ‘Postal Stationery Matters’, by Peter van Gelder. As you may have realised by now I am a fan of postal stationery cards and post many of these on the webpage, and as such this is one of my favourite sections. On page 96 of the magazine (the third page of Peter’s article) was an image of the 1976 New Zealand postal card which marked the 100^th anniversary of their first postal stationery card, as depicted by me on the webpage on the 20/11/2017 – just four nights ago. Another coincidence!       

23/11/2017

“DON’T GIVE UP,

DON’T GIVE IN.”

DO SOMETHING WILD

WWF WILDCARDS ARE UNIQUE EGIFTS THAT GIVE THE WORLD’S ENDANGERED ANIMALS LIKE PENGUINS, SOME MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT

Published by

AVANTCARD AUSTRALIA

Ref: #19967

Issued 2016

An advert postcard for a very different type of gift – full details are printed on the reverse side of this 2016 issued postcard. For me, it was the image of the penguins on the front that sold this postcard to me. Worth every penny of 50 – 75p.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

23/11/2017

DISNEYLAND

FANTASYLAND

“IT ALL STARTED WITH A MOUSE”

“Sleeping Beauty’s Castle towers above a colorful array of characters from the world of make-believe, led by Walt Disney and his first and foremost star … Mickey Mouse”

(Text from reverse side of postcard)

These postcards which depict Walt Disney himself at the park, although clearly a publicity pose, are worth seeking out for something different to the basic castle or character card. This one here was posted in 1973 and has a brown printed reverse layout. I like this one also because it has some of the more unusual characters in the line up behind Walt (no Donald, Minnie and Daisey, although Pluto and Goofy can just be seen behind Mickey).

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

Posted using an 8c Eisenhower 1971 (deep claret coloured) rotary perf stamp (no perforations across the top) – cancelled with a U.S. POSTAL SERVICE. CA 920 wavy line machine cancel dated 10^th September 1973.

23/11/2017

CASIMIRO

Copyright

CINEARTE 1975

Published by

EDICIONE TARJEFHER

Ref: Num. 118

I bought this card from a Dutch postcard dealer but neither he nor I know the character depicted. I wondered if it was a TV cartoon character but did not now, but for just 75p I was willing to buy it, and look into it later on. But, I have not had much luck. I have found out that there is a company called ‘CINEART’, but I do not know if this is the same as ‘CINEARTE’. I can also find lots of references to CASIMIRO, but they are all actual people with either this as their first name or surname (lots of sports personalities). There does not seem to be a parrot called this name either! So, I am none the wiser. But, it does not matter too much. I may not know who this strange square headed parrot is, but I like him anyway.

23/11/2017

FUNCOAST WORLD

BUTLIN’S HOLIDAYS

Funcoast World, Skegness, Lincolnshire

Printed by

CROMWELL MARKETING LTD

Ref: BS0051

Older Butlin’s holiday park postcards are very much collected, and some can be worth £5+, but there does not yet seem to be anyone collecting the more recent issues, like this one here from the 1990’s (this copy was posted in 1993). And, as such cards like this nearly always appear in the very cheap 5p or 10p boxes (if at all). But, in twenty or thirty years these might be much harder to find, especially if no one else is keeping them. As an aside, there appears to be a lot of people queueing up for something in the background. I am not sure I would publish a postcard showing a long queue when I want people to come to my establishment!

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

23/11/2017

PICTURESQUE YORK

COLLEGE STREET – CHANCEL & EAST WINDOW, YORK MINSTER – STATION HOTEL

WALMGATE BAR – WALMGATE BAR

PETERGATE – MONK BAR – ST MARY’S ABBEY, FROM EAST

Published by

VALENTIN’ES

In their:

VALENTINE’S NU-VU Series

This is a nice early multi-view postcard which is probably only worth a couple of pounds, but I think the layout is attractive and indicative of this type of postcard from this era.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

23/11/2017

SWAN PAINTING

(Untitled on Postcard)

Published in

THE “POPULAR” SERIES

Ref: No. 230

Printed in Germany

Posted in 1912

Nice artist painted designs like this were a common, and much collected, feature of the early years of the last century. This postcard was printed in Germany, and this was a common thing. In the years leading up to World War I Germany was the European centre for printing. They had best printing presses, best types of printing process and the widest range of printing techniques, many of which were invented there. So, many postcard publishers across the continent, and especially in Great Britain, had their postcards printed in Germany. Obviously, at the start of WWI this all came to an end, and it can be said with some truth that the quality of the printing of British postcards dropped upon commencement of fighting.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD