22/09/2017
GREETINGS FROM
FLORIDA
THE SUNSHINE STATE
Published by
JOHN HINDE CURTEICH INC
(INTERNATIONAL Series)
We arrived here in Florida last night and I am now sitting up in my bed at the Universal Studios ‘Hard Rock Hotel’ writing this (its 0610hrs in the morning here but UK time would be 1110hrs and the first morning I always end up awake early – it is still dark outside but I can see the lights on the ‘Rip Ride Rocket’ roller-coaster ride as I have a theme park view from my window, for the first time).
I picked this postcard up at STAMPEX, of all places, and because of my love of Florida I loved this card and knew I wanted it for a first day of the holiday posting here today.
The image on the front covers everything that is iconic about this state and it reminded me my holiday experiences. Here you have the state bird, The Mockingbird, and alligator, The Saturn 5 Moon Rocket, oranges and as an extra bonus Disney World is mentioned (but no connected image, so this would make for a very unusual Disney related postcard).
This copy was posted in 1989, four years before my very first visit to here. I think it is a smashing card and I was happy to pay £1 for it.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
I also loved the message written here on the reverse side of this postcard. I think the senders had a ‘Super’ time on their holiday (and this comes as no surprise as this is what Florida is all about). The 36c Igor Sikorsky USA Postage stamp is one I often see on American postcards posted to the UK around this period. It is an Airmail stamp and it was around for some time. The stamp has been cancelled with an Orlando wavy line machine cancellation dated 24th June 1989.
22/09/2017
LADYBIRD BOOK POSTCARDS
THE POSTMAN
Postcard from boxed set of 100 Ladybird Book Covers
Used with £1.40 Royal Mail Ladybird Books stamp
Cancelled First Day of Issue with special
AUTUMN STAMPEX 14TH September 2017 ‘Postage Stamp Styled’ cancellation
(Stamp depicts this book’s cover)
On the 14th September the Royal Mail released a set of stamps celebrating the Ladybird Books issued for children. These were also to be on sale at the STAMPEX show on that date. I was aware of this in advance and obtained (Jo bought it actually) a copy of the boxed collection of 100 Ladybird Book Cover postcards. I thought the cards would make superb items to have the stamps applied and cancelled first day of issue. And, some of the postcards depicted covers which would be on the stamps. The stamps were issued depicting three book covers each taken from different series:
2nd Class Stamp – ADVENTURES FROM HISTORY
The Story of Nelson
The Story of the First Queen Elizabeth
Florence Nightingale (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
2ND Class Stamp – WELL-LOVED TALES
The Gingerbread Boy (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
Cinderella (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
The Elves & The Shoemaker (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
(One of two stamps where all three depicted books appear on cards from this box set)
1ST Class Stamp – KEY WORDS READING SCHEME
2a We Have Fun
1b Look at This (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
4a Things We Do
1ST Class Stamp – EARLY TALES & RHYMES
Piggly Plays Truant (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
Tootles The Taxi & Other Rhymes (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
Smoke & Fluff (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
(The second stamp to have all three books which also appear on postcards)
£1.40 Stamp – HOBBIES & HOW IT WORKS
Things to Make (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
The Telephone
Tricks & Magic (this book does appear on a postcard but with a totally different cover artwork)
£1.40 Stamp – PEOPLE AT WORK
The Nurse (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
The Postman (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
The Fireman
£1.57 Stamp – NATURE & CONSERVATION
British Wild Flowers
Wild Life in Britain
Garden Flowers (this cover was depicted on a postcard from the boxed postcard set)
£1.57 Stamp – ACHIEVEMENTS
The Story of Ships
The Story of the Motor Car
The Story of Metals
(This is the only stamp to have no book covers depicted on postcards from the boxed postcard set)
CINDERELLA
Postcard from boxed set of 100 Ladybird Book Covers
Used with 2ND CLASS Royal Mail Ladybird Books stamp
Cancelled First Day of Issue with special
AUTUMN STAMPEX 14TH September 2017 ‘Postage Stamp Styled’ cancellation
(Stamp depicts this book’s cover)
Without a doubt, this is the most iconic and most collected Ladybird Book issued (not the most valuable – but still expensive). This one came as no surprise to me when I saw it depicted on one of the stamps. This is one of Jo's favourite books and we have been looking for a good quality old original copy for our collection of Ladybird Books (yes, we have a collection of these. We don't pay much for copies but when we see them in charity shops priced reasonably we pick them up - I will tell you more about our collection of actual books with a later posting when I want to depict a particular book cover postcard which relates to my specialised little collection of a specific series from this company).
THE LADYBIRD BOOK OF HORSES
Postcard from boxed set of 100 Ladybird Book Covers
Used with 1ST CLASS Royal Mail Ladybird Books stamp
Cancelled First Day of Issue with special
AUTUMN STAMPEX 14TH September 2017 ‘Postage Stamp Styled’ cancellation
I also used a number of the cards from the boxed set where the cover was not depicted on any of the stamps, but where I still believed the end result would be attractive and interesting anyway. This is one of those postcards.
I did produce a number of these and I will be placing a selection of them here on the website over the next few weeks for hopefully your enjoyment. You never know, you may even see one or more books that you read as a child yourself or that you read to your own children or grand-children. There is certainly a sense of nostalgia to these books.
20/09/2017
INFORMATION NOTICE
I know the webpage was disrupted recently by my house move, but there is going to be another slight bit of disruption as there will be no posting tomorrow because I shall be on an aeroplane for nine hours on my way to Florida. But, as with my holiday to here last November I have my computer with me and have scanned in lots of cards to enable me to continue with posting whilst I am away so images will still be placed on the webpage, with possibly one or two days of disruption here and there.
I will of course also be placing posts on the webpage’s facebook page, as well hunting down new postcards to post upon my return. To increase a modern postcard collection, collector’s need to to travel, as it is travel that allows us to look in new and different places for additions to our collections. This is an aspect of postcard collecting which I really enjoy.
20/09/2017
DUBONNET
… a l’eau
Avec un peu de cassis ou un zeste de citron
(with water, with a little blackcurrant or lemon peel)
“Experience Dubonnet – the natural taste of France. Uniquely refreshing – mixed with tonic, lemonade or soda water, plenty of ice and slices of lemon”
(Text from reverse side of postcard)
The image used here is a well-known one which has appeared on postcard quite a few times before but at least this one was a free postcard, and has been produced on behalf of the drink company itself.
The image is taken from a publication called ‘L’Illustration’ from 1935. I bought this one in an Oxfam bookshop on a visit to Stampex the other weekend for 59p.
19/09/2017
CASA 2.III
“Spanish Licence built version of the Heinkel HEIII, with the British Merlin engine fitted. This example is now flying in the U.S.A”
(Text from reverse side of postcard)
Published by
COLOURMASTER INTERNATIONAL
Ref: A2
(COLLECTORS SERIES (1-20))
I have always been fascinated with the aircraft related to the Second World War. The Heinkel, of course, was the bomber that bombed London during the blitz, although I suspect this one was from later as it is one of the Spanish licence built aircraft. The Spanish air force used Heinkel’s well past the end of WWII and it was their Heinkel’s which were used in the filming of that classic war film ‘The Battle of Britain’.
19/09/2017
MESSERSCHMITT ME410 A-I/U2
“German Night Fighter, now preserved by the R.A.F. Museum”
(Text from reverse side of postcard)
Published by
COLOURMASTER INTERNATIONAL
Ref: A10
(COLLECTORS SERIES (1-20))
Another postcard from the same series as the card above. This one looks like quite an interesting aeroplane. Despite the war the Germans managed to build some very efficient war planes right up until almost the end. Many of these craft appear on postcard and the world of aviation, both military and civil is a very collectible topic.
19/09/2017
A FEW INEXPENSIVE
SOUVENIRS OF SINGAPORE
Published on behalf of
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
(AIR MAIL POSTCARD)
Judging from the items on display here I am going to say this is an older postcard, and not one too recently issued. I am no techno person so am guessing re the items depicted that this card is from either the late 1970’s or sometime in the 1980’s. The 1970’s could be possible as the airline, under this name, commenced in 1972. For me this postcard image appealed because it depicts, amongst some other electrical items, some television sets, and some interesting ones as well. Postcards depicting TV sets are not as common as postcards depicting scenes from television programmes.
18/09/2017
3RD INTERNATIONAL JAMBOREE
ESSEX
1956
11TH – 18TH August, 1956
BELCHAMPS CAMPING GROUND
Hockley, Essex
This postcard is typical of thousands of scouting themed jamboree postcards that have been issued down through the years, but it is a special one for me because of the location. The ‘Belchamps’ campsite is my local scout campsite and one where I have camped myself many, many times. The first camp I organised myself as a Patrol Leader was held here. We camped for 10 days without any adult attendance or assistance and helped the staff move other camper’s (a cub pack) equipment from their campsite up to the main building when the campsite flooded (fortunately I had picked a site that was uphill). We also built the fire for the main Friday evening camp fire. It was a fantastic camp and we came away with a ‘Camp Warden Merit Award’ for what we had done (I still have it). So, anything related to this location always appeals to me – and NO, it was not because I attended this event, I was not even born when this was held….!!
17/09/2017
AVANTCARD AUSTRALIA
AVANT CARD CELEBRATES WITH
POSTCARD NUMBER 10,000
Ref: #10,000 (2015)
There is added sadness connected with this postcard now that we know that Avantcard Australia ceased producing postcards this year. I am still waiting to get a copy of the last issued card (it was depicted in a recent issue of Picture Postcard Monthly) but when I do I will show it.
This one here is a simple design but it celebrates a real postcard achievement, 10,000 different postcards, all printed and distributed and free to those who picked them up. I picked this one up in a London Oxfam shop, located just around the corner from the Business and Design Centre, where STAMPEX is held, on Wednesday. It cost me 59p. Worth every penny in my mind.
17/09/2017
AUTUMN STAMPEX
2017
OFFICIAL EXHIBITION POSTCARDS
Ref: No 34
I have already shown you a mint copy of this postcard but I did promise to show you some of the ones which I had had cancelled with the Post & Go stamps which were exclusive to the event.
Here you have two which have received the Queens Machin Head Anniversary Post & Go stamps which have a special overprint which reads: ‘Autumn Stampex 2017’. These been cancelled with the special Stampex hand stamp which is dated 13th September 2017 which was the first day of the exhibition and thus the first day of issue for these exclusive overprinted Post & Go. The Machin head stamps come in six different colours on each strip (see below) so there are variants. Here you have a brownish and a greenish coloured one (they are colours which have proper names but don’t ask me what they are – they are also colours which have been used on the ordinary definitive Machin head stamps, apparently).
(The cards are overlapped)
NON-POSTCARD ITEM
Overprinted Post & Go stamp strip
"Autumn Stampex 2017"
Here you can see a full Post & Go stamp strip obtained at the show
(From my collection)
You can see the different colours a bit better when they are placed together like this
These are the same as have been used on the depicted postcards here on this posting
AUTUMN STAMPEX
Official Postcard
This one has a purple/lilac coloured overprinted Post & Go on it down on the left side. This one also has the rather nice poppy Post & Go stamp which has another Stampex exclusive overprint which reads: ‘WWI Battle of Passchendaele’. I liked this one so also added it to this card and had both the stamps cancelled with the shows first day special hand stamp.
16/09/2017
Untitled
SesamstraBe Muppets
(Sesame Street)
BERT and ERNIE
Dressed as Star Trek characters
Published by
PRODUKTION & VERTRIEB: FUN-TASIA, KOLN
(German Issue Postcard)
Ref: Art. Nr.: SPK 3061-B
Who could resist a postcard which covers two television themes, children’s television and science fiction. Sesame Street is extremely popular in Germany and as I have previously stated here there are a large number of postcards which relate to this programmes characters which come from this country. This is a fine example of the artwork type. It would also make a very unusual addition to anyone’s Star Trek collection.
16/09/2017
700th ANNIVERSARY OF SWITZERLAND
First Day of Issue: February 22nd, 1991
First Issue Location: Washington DC
Published by
THE MAXIMUM CARD COLLECTION
Ref: 91-7
This is an American stamp issue which depicts building from both America and Switzerland on the stamp and it was a joint issue with Switzerland who issued a similar stamp at the same time. The card itself depicts a statue of the character William Tell and has a map of Switzerland. On the reverse side is a potted history of the William Tell story (see below).
15/09/2017
STAMPEX
The British National Stamp Exhibition
AUTUMN 2017
‘Official Free Postcard’
Ref: No. 34
Limited Edition of 5,000
As with every STAMPEX exhibition every visitor to the event receives a free postcard which is contained with the show programme (handed to people as they come through the entrance during the first hour and then from the shows own organisation sales stand which is the first on the left as you come through the entrance.
This events card depicts a print of children playing with early toys. This is the same image that appears along the bottom of this events ‘Smilers’ stamp sheet. If you ever visit any Stampex show after the first couple of days you can always ask at the stand if they mind if you have a couple of extra postcards and normally they will be happy to do so, especially on the Saturday, the last day of the event.
I will be showing some of these postcards used with special Stampex Post & Go stamps and hand stamps over posts early next week.
15/09/2017
THE SEX PISTOLS
Clockwise from top left: John Lyndon, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock and Steve Jones
1990
Photograph by Fergus Greer
(Bromide fibre print)
Published by
THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
London
I was a teenager at school when the Sex Pistols came to the fore with their album ‘Never mind the Bollocks’. I was never into the clothing, hair and safety pins of the punk era, but I was into the music. I remember all the fuss and controversy around the group and to a young boy it was all fascinating. These days of course, with the kids like me being 40years older, the music is looked back on with real nostalgia and many of the tracks are now considered almost as classics and definitely as some of the most important tracks from the 1970’s.
This postcard was a new one which I had not seen before my most recent visit just a few months back. It is another example of why the National Portrait Gallery shop, London is always worth a visit.
14/09/2017
DORIC COLUMN PILLAR – BOXES
Published by
MIDLANDS POSTAL BOARD
Ref: MIDLANDS POSTAL BOARD PICTURE CARD – MPB Card 6
“These handsome pillar-boxes in the shape of a Doric column were produced in the Eagle Foundry of Smith & Hawkes in Broad Street, Birmingham. The left hand, one of the pair sited at Eastgate and Westgate, Warwick, is the 1856 pattern with vertical aperture. The right-hand box is the revised 1857 pattern with horizontal aperture and is one of three sited in Great Malvern”
(Text from reverse side of postcard)
I have again been at Stampex for the day so have decided to put on a postal history related postcard here on the webpage today. This is one of the many ‘Postal Board’ area postcards which were produced independently by the then various Postal Boards located around the country during the 1970’s and 1980’s. These are collected by a dedicated band of postcard collectors and several (at least 5, I know this because I have at least 5 myself) specialised catalogues have been issued about these specialised issues. Because of the obvious source of these cards many have a postal history theme, like this one.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Again, because of the source, the Postal Board areas. Many, in fact all of the later issues in the 1980’s, had a special first day of issue cancellation available for their release. This postcard has a 14p Machin Head definitive stamp applied top right which has been cancelled with the special FDI Cancel for this particular postcard issue. The cancellation, or special handstamp, mentions the cards reference number of MPB 6 and details what the card depicts, although here the pillar-boxes are referred to as ‘Fluted’ rather than as with Doric Columns, although both descriptions are technically correct. The cancel is dated 16th June 1981, the date of release for this postcard.
Many years later, in 2009, someone attached a pillar-box 1st class pictorial smilers sheet stamp (issued by the Royal Mail) along with its attached pillar-box pictorial label on the left side. This has been cancelled with the first day of issue special handstamp for this sheet issue – dated 18th August 2009 – and which depicts an early pillar-box within its design. An unusual double usage, all philatelic, and I suspect one of only a few produced (possibly even unique as other different stamps from the 2009 pillar-box sheet could have been used on other copies of this card making each one technically different).
13/09/2017
BAC/AEROSPATIALE CONCORDE 101 G/AXDN
Published for
DUXFORD AVIATION SOCIETY
(in Association with the Imperial War Museum)
Printed by
English Life Publications Ltd., Derby
First Flown 1971 – Retired 1977
Length 19 3ft. Wingspan 83 ft. 10 ins. Height 37 ft. 1 ins
Engines 4 x R. R. Olympus 593
Speed 1,450 mph – Range 3,970 miles
On Saturday, I shall be back at STAMPEX and visiting the bi-annual meeting of the Concorde Collectors Society. So, I thought I would place another Concorde postcard here on the webpage, and it is one I really like. I remember visiting Duxford when my kids were young and when the Concorde was on display outside of the hanger area, in which it now resides. Back then you could walk up the steps and into and through the Concorde and out the back exit. When I visited with my Grandkids a few years ago the Concorde was inside the hanger but I cannot remember if you could still get inside the craft. I shall have to go back soon and check.
13/09/2017
LE MANEGE ENCHANTE
‘THE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT’
Published by
EDITIONS D’ART YVON
Ref: E. K. B. 3
This is another of the original 1960’s French issued ‘Magic Roundabout’ postcards (I have previously posted at least one of other of these from this series). This one is a cracker as it shows six of the characters from this children’s television series. More from this series will be posted in the future.
STAMPEX
I have been at STAMPEX today and, as always, I have managed to find some interesting new postcard items and have created some special souvenirs. Over the upcoming weekend, all things going to plan I shall post images of some of these items. I am back again tomorrow for the release of the new Ladybird Books stamp issues and again I hope to make some very special souvenirs for my collection. Again, I shall attempt to post some of these over the coming week.
12/09/2017
Non Postcard Item
Advert
AUTUMN STAMPEX
Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn Stampex 2017. I shall be attending both tomorrow and Thursday, and if plans go well then Saturday as well. I shall place some images on the facebook page and will eventually put images of postcards bought at the event on the webpage. The dates of the event and shown here and it is an event which is always interesting with some free postcards and other items and with a wide range of philatelic material on sale. I always enjoy it.
Hi Mark
Would you have time to pick out your THREE favourite postcards from 2017 to feature in the 2018 Annual?
12/09/2017
GREETINGS FROM
SMALLVILLE
KANSAS
THE METEOR CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Published by
Unknown Publisher / Printer
(Issued in America)
Smallville, for those who do not know, is the home town of the young Superman (in the early days I suppose he was Superboy). It is the location of his Earth parents farm. What is interesting is that this postcard makes no mention of Superman and just assumes that you already know this fact (which, gladly, I did). I found this postcard in a Sci-Fi specialist shop in Florida. It cost me $2 and was the only copy in the shop, I found it in a display cabinet. This was found with the previously depicted Gotham and the Flash postcards which appeared in earlier postings on my webpage.
12/09/2017
GERMAN POSTAL STATIONERY POST CARD
FINSTERWALDE 1
MELDET BODENFUNDE!
I have said many times before that I like postal stationery cards and Germany, in all its guises, has produced a wide range of these. This one has a special hand stamp dated 3rd November 1980 and added black and red printed text for what I believe is some sort of 5year celebration or commemoration. This is one of the joys of collecting, strangely, not knowing what something exactly is or represents.
The cancel is for the location of FINSTERWALDE, which is a German town in the Brandenburg area but this does not help me any more with understanding what the added text relates to. But, I am sure someone out there with an understanding of German would be able to help me here.
11/09/2017
ARETS FRIMERKER 2016
This is the official Norway Post postcard issue depicting the stamp issues from 2016. This idea of promoting the years stamp releases, normally towards the end of the year, is a popular and near annual postcard issue for many Scandinavian countries including Norway and Sweden. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the output from Norway this year was not that spectacular. Although I did like the Santa designs depicted bottom right.
11/09/2017
And we are back – Broadband has been fitted at the new address and I am again able to commence posting new postcards on the webpage. So, what to choose as the first car after several days off-line?
THE AERIAL DERBY
The Game of the Day
THE CHAD VALLEY GAMES
Published by
ROBERT OPIE
‘BOARD GAME SERIES’
Ref: 01BG 01
“Edwardian Boxed Board Game. Aeroplanes of all shapes took to the sky in the flying contests, and manufacturers were quick to capture the romance and danger of the air”
(Text from reverse side of Postcard)
I am sure Robert Opie would be delighted that I have chosen one of his many postcard issues with which to re-commence my postings. This image nicely captures the modern with the old with its depiction of a range of genuine early aeroplanes, making this an unusual image for collectors of early aviation history. There is also the toy connection, and who can resist an old plaything.
04/09/2017
H.R.H. PRINCE WILLIAM
Published by
PAPER MILL CARDS
(PAPER MILL PRESS)
Ref: 4490
Congratulations to Prince William and his wife Catherine Duchess of Cambridge on their announcement that they are expecting their third child. The news was given out today and fortunately I had this postcard already scanned and as I sit here surrounded by packed boxes ready for the removal men’s attendance in the morning I have five minutes to quickly post this (I doubt very much there will be any posting tomorrow!!!)
03/09/2017
NOTICE
HOUSE MOVE
Please be aware that over the next couple of days we are moving home. This will cause some disruption to my postings and I may even be unable to make any postings for a couple of days whilst the broadband and other services are being set up. I will also have all my remaining collection boxed up for the move so getting my hands on any cards for anything specific will also be out of my hands.
But, normal service will resume and in the meantime, I will do my best and will look forward to getting settled into a new home.
03/09/2017
DON’T BE A MUG
GIVE NESCAFE THE BOOT
Design by
Mike Edwards
For
BABY MILK ACTION
Published by
LEEDS POSTCARDS
Ref: L694
“A baby dies every 30 seconds from unsafe bottle feeding. Nestle undermines breastfeeding to create a market for its products. Breastfeeding is free, safe and best for all babies. But Nestle knows that if it doesn’t get babies on the bottle, it won’t do business. The Nescafe Boycott aims to protect a woman’s right to an informed choice. Baby Milk Action, Cambridge”
(Text from the reverse side of both the postcards depicted here)
I knew nothing about this supposed campaign back in what I think was either the late 1980’s or possibly the early 1990’s when the postcards depicted here were issued, although the campaign itself seems to have originated in the US in 1977 before coming across to Europe in the early 1980’s. According to the internet the ban is no longer in place but the position re Nestle product advertising is still being monitored by this organisation, still in place and still promoting the benefits of breastfeeding.
My interest here is in the issue of these two postcards. This is another interesting LEEDS POSTCARDS issue and another one which will cause future collectors much confusion in the future. This is because this postcard here, and the one depicted below both have the same reference number – L694 - and the same descriptive information on the reverse side.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST NESTLE
STOP BOTTLE BABY DEATHS
Design by
Mike Edwards
For
BABY MILK ACTION
Published by
LEEDS POSTCARDS
Ref: L694
The basic central image, of the baby kicking the screw lid topped jar, is the same on both these two postcards, but clearly, the printed titles and text above and below the images are different. In my opinion, this is clearly two different postcards. But, LEEDS POSTCARDS gave them both the same reference number. For those collectors who work from a checklist, and with the knowledge that this company did use individual reference numbers for its postcards, there could be the belief, with the possession of one of these cards, that they need look no further, or worse, come across the other card and check their numbered list and believe they already have it (the basic central design being the same would also add to the confusion). This is an annoying trait with this company, I have depicted before cards where the design is the same but issued in different colours, sometimes three different coloured issues, but this is a rare occasion where the actual design is different. This may be an annoying trait but it is also what makes the collecting of LEEDS POSTCARDS issues so enjoyable and interesting
02/09/2017
ROBIN HOOD FLOUR
TRUCKS OF THE ‘40s AND ‘50s
Published by
POMEGRANATE PUBLICATIONS
Ref: 2752
Copyright 1992 Archive Photo’s, New York
There is not much information recorded on this postcard, and nothing which cannot be garnered by viewing the black and white photograph. But, it seems the flour company have been making flour since 1909. More information would have made this a better card but it changes little the fascination I have with the actual image.
02/09/2017
G20 SUMMIT DAY TWO
WORLD LEADERS HAVE THEIR PICTURE TAKEN AT THE START OF THE G20 SUMMIT IN LONDON, 2009
AWARD WINNER, BRITISH PRESS AWARDS
Published by
PRESS ASSOCIATION IMAGES
It would appear, that even politicians can have a sense of fun, but then the smiling person in the centre at the top is Silvio Berlusconi, and there is little doubt that he knew, and knows, how to have a good time. It was the content of this photograph which appealed to me as I see very few joint politician images where anything like genuine smiles are to be seen, and even less these days I think.
31/08/2017
ROME
19TH FEBRUARY 1992
Published by
ENTERPRISE POSTCARDS
(P & J WILLMOTT)
Ref: EP/20/92
From an original drawing by Ann Miller
Limited Edition of 1000
“Rome, 19th February 1992 was the venue for a special meeting between H.R.H. The Princess of Wales and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The two women spent time in the chapel of the Missionary Sisters of Charity in prayer for world peace”
Today is of course the twentieth anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, and I suspect no one is surprised to find her depicted on today’s postcard posting. But, I really wanted to depict a postcard which shows both Diana and Mother Teresa because Mother Teresa’s death on the 5th September, just five days later, was somewhat over shadowed by the earlier, and tragic, death of Diana. Fortunately, I think this postcard covers my needs superbly.
30/08/2017
GINNI MACK ….. RIP
Helen Virginia Gilliland
1ST March 1927 – 23RD August 2017
Ink and paint artist for the Disney studio and the original model for Tinker Bell.
WONDERGROUND GALLERY
WALT DISNEY WORLD
FLORIDA
Original Artwork of
“TINKER BELL AT SKULL ROCK”
By Artist
Jasmine Becket-Griffith
‘Ginni’ was hired by Walt Disney at the age of just 18 as a painter in the Ink & Paint Department. As her keen colour sense was noticed she was placed in the ‘Paint Lab’, known as the ‘Rainbow Room’. From this location Ginni contributed to many of the early post war animated films.
When artists were designing the characters for the animated film ‘Peter Pan’ (1953) the animator Marc Davis asked Ginni to serve as the original model for the Tinker Bell fairy character. Ginni’s signature blonde hair and her hairstyle, tied up in a bun with wide swept bangs proved to be the inspiration for the final form of Tinker Bell. Ginni went on to leave the Disney Studio in 1952 (before ‘Peter Pan’ was released) and to work in many animation studios including one started up by her husband (who had also been a Disney employee).
Ginni then ceased work to bring up her son Kevin in 1959, but in 1977 was to return to the world of Disney for the film ‘Pete’s Dragon’, which mixed animation and live action. During her second period of work for Disney Ginni worked on many films and she also became involved in the early development and testing of the companies Computer Animated Production System (CAP’S) for digital Ink and Paint. Ginni retired in 1991
29/08/2017
ALL EYEZ ON ME
LEGENDS NEVER DIE
THE UNTOLD STORY OF TUPAC SHAKUR
IN CINEMAS JUNE 30
Published by unknown publisher/printer
(I found my copies in the Boomerang rack at my local Odeon Cinema)
Here you have four postcards which were joined together in a folded strip. They had perforated down the outside edges (and of course just the one edge for the two which were on the ends. These are from this year (2017) and were publicity pre-promotional postcards for the release of this documentary styled feature film.
If you are not aware of Tupac (or more precisely ‘Tupac Amaru Shakur’, real name Lesane Parish Crooks) he was an American rapper born in 1971 (16th June) who sold over 75 million records worldwide, which made him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Tupac had two double disc albums issued, one of which is from where the film’s title comes from as this was called ‘All Eyez on Me’ (1996), the other was a collection of his Greatest Hits (1998, issued after his death) titled as such. These two albums are amongst the all-time best-selling albums released in America. This has also made him one of the most influential rappers of all time and has been inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’.
Not unusually for a black American rapper his songs are themed around the violence and hardships of living in inner cities and the racism and social problems that arise there. He had relatives who were members of the ‘Black Panther Party’ and some of this groups political ideas were reflected in his lyrics.
Some of you may already be aware of the conflicts that arose between the East Coast and the West Coast rappers and Hip-Hop artists. Tupac became involved in this conflict and had run ins with other well-known people such as The Notorious B.I.G.
Interestingly, as these postcards promote a feature film release, Tupac also had quite a respectable (and growing at the time of his death, but more on that in a minute) and he appeared in six films and a TV series (something which I have only recently found out which means I can include these postcards in my television themed collection). All of his films were issued around the 1990’s with the final film, ‘Gridlock’d’ released in 1997, after his death.
Tupac’s death was sadly linked to the ongoing East Coast – West Coast rivalry and as with many of his rapper contemporaries he was shot. On the 7th September 1996 Tupac was in Las Vegas when he was shot four times in what was described as a drive-by shooting. Tupac died six days after this shooting. His death, inevitably with someone so young and at the level of his success, brought him further fame and have, eventually, led to the release of this film.
28/08/2017
DISNEY
HERBIE
FAMILY FILM COLLECTION
Published on behalf of
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
I watched the ‘Herbie’ films as a kid and I remember with great fondness the first film ‘The Love Bug’. When I saw it at the cinema I loved it, but I openly admit that it does not really hold up to adult viewing so I rarely watch it these days and prefer to just remember how much I enjoyed it all those years ago.
28/08/2017
LONDON BUS
Build it yourself
(Easy Cut Postcard)
Published by
PAPETI
(made in Barcelona)
I found this postcard on sale in the ‘National Portrait Gallery’ shop, in London. This one fits nicely into my ‘Novelty’ collection. It is a bit on the large side, and is more squarish than the normal postcard format, but I still like it. It does go to show that unusual cards can still be found.
28/08/2017
AUSTRALIAN BI – CENTENRAY
SEVENTEEN EIGHTY EIGHT – NINETEEN EIGHTY EIGHT
200 YEARS
Published by
SOUVENIRS AUSTRALIA Pty. Ltd
(A PITT CARD)
Ref: S 42
In 1988 a number of postcards were issued in Australia relating to their celebration of the Bi-Centenary. At the time, they were eagerly picked up by collectors in the UK and it was in a period when modern, and very interesting Australian postcards were becoming very collectible. I built up a small collection of these which I have in an album. This one though, I picked up this year, and for a price which I expect was cheaper than what it would have cost me back in the 1980’s. I do think this is one of the nicest of the bi-centennial designs and it does rather catch the tone of the history and the celebrations and I liked the fact that the native Australians get a look in here.
27/08/2017
DEBORAH WATLING
Sometimes it is possible to miss the news that someone has passed away. This is in fact what has happened with the actress Deborah Watling. This is a double shame for me as I had met her a couple of times and always found her to be a charming person. I only found out about her death from reading a quick announcement in the current issue of the Doctor Who magazine, and this is of course from where I knew her. Deborah played the character Victoria Waterfield in Doctor Who. She was a companion to the second Doctor played by Patrick Troughton.
DOCTOR WHO
OPEN TO VISITORS
Published by
I. B. PRODUCTIONS
Ref: No. 11 in a series of 12
Autographed on the front – in gold, by
DEBORAH WATLING
&
JACK WATLING
I.B. Productions produced a smashing set of twelve postcards each of which depicted the blue police box, better known to all as the TARDIS, in different natural locations. In fact, this one here is the only one which contains a building within the frame.
Sometime in what I think was early 2001 Deborah Watling and her father Jack Watling did a signing event at what was the old Doctor Who shop in East Ham. This was to coincide with the audio release of the Doctor Who television story ‘THE WEB OF FEAR’ (1968). If you attended this event and bought the CD box set for this story then they would sign the cover of the CD and another item of your own. I had this postcard signed.
Both Deborah and her father appeared in this television story, with Jack Watling appearing as Professor Edward Travers.
Sadly, Jack Watling died just a few months later, on the 22nd May 2011 and I believe this was the last time that Jack did any signings, although I also believe he was otherwise quite a scarce signer anyway (I heard a rumour that this may even have been his only Dr Who signing event)
DEBORAH WATLING….RIP
Deborah Patricia Watling
2nd January 1948 – 21st July 2017
Actress best known for her appearance in Doctor Who
JACK WATLING…..RIP
Jack Stanley Watling
13th January 1923 – 22nd May 2001
Actor who appeared in many programmes as a guest including Doctor Who, Bergerac and Heartbeat