27/07/2020
COUGHS AND SNEEZES
SPREAD DISEASES
Trap the germs by using your handkerchief
Published by
EDEN CAMP
(Now called the: EDEN CAMP MODERN HISTORY THEME MUSEUM)
We visited here last week (I posted on facebook from the location). It was my third visit and it was as enjoyable my previous trips. The attraction has always sold a range of exclusive WWII poster design postcards. They have now been on sale for many years, but they are good. When I saw this one I immediately thought that it was a design which could so easily be put up today and still be relevant, perhaps more so.
25/07/2020
CHINESE STAMP CARD
Postcard Reproducing a preliminary design for one of the stamps from the set of two Chinese Covid-19 themed stamps which were issued on the 11th May 2020.
Published by the
LONGCHENG PICTURE AGENCY
Issued March 2020
These postcards were issued before the two stamps were released and during the time between their production and the issue of the stamps, which was delayed after complaints were received about the designs, the stamp designs were altered. The main and immediately obvious differences are that the woman top right has here hood down and long black hair showing on the stamp release. The man bottom left is looking at a computer screen and not a microscope as seen here. This does mean of course that these postcards show something different to what was actually released.
PRIVATE ISSUE CHINESE STAMP CARD
Maxi-Card
Unknown Publisher
Although this depicts the same image as appear on one of the two above postcards, a preliminary design for one of the stamps, the printing here is of a lesser quality (thus the belief this is a private printing). This card has been used first day of issue with the stamp that was issued, which is slightly different to the design depicted on the postcard.
UNTITLED POSTCARD
MAXI-CARD
for the Chinese Covid-19 pair of stamps
Cancelled first day of issue on this card
Unknown Publisher
(but the same reverse side as the above two maxi-cards, so by the same producer)
This postcard image is also poorly printed, but it is the correct images as used on the two issued stamps (women with black hair showing top right and man looking at computer screen bottom left). Because this card has both stamps on it the price increases against the pair depicted above. This single card (despite the poor quality of printing) is £25+
25/07/2020
Sophie’s Secret Postcard Auction
JULY 2020
In support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity a special postcard auction, held across eBay, was arranged with artists, celebrities and others each producing a unique piece of artwork each of which would anonymously be auctioned off to raise money for this good cause.
I came across this auction (nearly 700 odd unique pieces) by chance when I was searching for coronavirus related postcards. I saw what I initially thought was a printed postcard depicting the Covid bugs. I placed a bid, thinking it is a bit much for a basic card, but I liked it. Then I realised that I was bidding on an actual piece of artwork for this charity auction.
Once I realised what this was, I became a little more interested and eventually won this bid. I then found a second card, which was ending quite quickly, which was mask related and which clearly related to the current pandemic, so I bid on this one as well, which I also won. Now, unlike some people I was not looking for the work of any famous artist or famous TV star etc, I was looking for Covid-19 related images. Surprisingly, only one seemed to ‘actually’ mention or depict the coronavirus, which surprised me. There were at least two mask themed ones, one of which went for a lot of money, and one went cheaply, which is the one I bought.
So, here are the two pieces which I won. Although listed as postcards they are in fact postcard sized pieces of card upon which the people have produced their piece (although the mask one is something very different, which I will explain below).
INFORMATION CARD SENT OUT WITH AUCTION WIN PIECES
UNTITLED
NURSE WITH MASK
By
IRA URBANSKAYA
Postcard No. 0697
Ira Urbanskaya is a Russian artist who lives in Moscow. She produced this piece of artwork which was sent via computer to the charity who had it printed off as a digital print. So, this is not a piece of actual hand-produced artwork, but it is still unique as only this one print will be produced. With its clear image and I think obvious theme link to the pandemic I thought this would go nicely with the above postcard on a mounted sheet within the display that I am producing for clubs and societies.
25/07/2020
YORK MINSTER
IT’S QUICKER BY RAIL
L.N.E.R.
(London & North Eastern Railway)
By
FRED TAYLOR
1930.
Published by the
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
Ref: 317719
York Minster is open. I have seen the queue to get in, which to be fair were not great, but with staggered entry because of the Covid-19 rules re social distancing there seems to be a bit of a delay, but if you have never been inside the slightly longer wait than normal (something we all need to get used to as it is the case everywhere as I have found during my week up here in this part of the country, although the entry delays, ticket requirement and slower movement around an exhibit or location seems to be the norm now). I have been inside before so we gave it a miss this trip, but we will return.
This pre-WWII poster design is a beauty and captures the ornateness of the inside of the minster superbly.
25/07/2020
“HURRY ALONG”
TO YORK CARDEXPO
APRIL 5 – 6, 2002
By
ROSALIND WICKS
Printed by
THOUGHT FACTORY
Published by
ROSALIND WICKS
Ref: No. 92
One of many Rosalind Wicks postcard designs and so typical of her distinctive style. I came across this one in my scanned section and thought I would post it. I then realised it is quite appropriate really as I am currently sat in my camper van typing this up and am in York, not the city itself but just outside in a campsite for motorhomes and campervans etc. I have also been into York a couple of times and have enjoyed my visits immensely.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Signed by
ROSALIND WICKS
As you can see this was sent to me by Rosalind and she has written a message to me and signed it. It is a very personal item and holds a special place in my collection. The event on the 31st August that Rosalind refers to is a Modern Postcard Fair being held in London which I had organised on behalf of the Postcard Traders Association.
ENVELOPE
Special ‘SMILERS STAMP’
The above postcard was posted to me in this envelope. The image on the label beside the stamp depicts Rosalind herself wearing a crown. I do not know how many of these ‘Smiler’ stamp labels Rosalind had printed up, I know they were not cheap (Royal Mail no longer offer the service) as I had some done featuring my grandchildren and each individual sheet (of 20 stamps I think) was expensive, although they make nice unusual items. So, it is a great honour to have received one from Rosalind and now this envelope with its special stamp sits beside the above postcard in my collection. A nice combination worth keeping, I think.
25/07/2020
AUSTRIA
Published by
AUSTRIA ARTS
A good solid tourist aimed postcard, but one with a better class of imagery and content as it shows some well-known historic personalities including the composers Johann Baptist Strauss and Mozart (see below posting). This was one of the souvenir postcards which appealed to me as I was walking around Vienna about a year ago now.
25/07/2020
OSTERREICH
‘Austria’
Published by
BOOMCITY.COM
Ref: 20150
Bought this one last year when we visited a number of European cities on a tour. This one was bought in Vienna and it shows one of the countries popular sweets, the Austrians do love their sweets. Depicted here are ‘Mozartkueln’ (Mozart Chocolate, or Mozart Balls). These consist of a green pistachio, marzipan core covered with layers of nougat and chocolate. These are individually wrapped in gold shiny foil which features a portrait of the composer. The original balls come from Salzburg but you can find copies pretty much everywhere and I definitely saw them in Vienna, although to be fair I do not like pistachio or marzipan so these do not appeal to me eating wise, I just love their look.
25/07/2020
MV ORIENT EXPRESS
Viewed from Giudecca Island
At a mooring in front of San Marco Square Venice
Photograph
SHIRLEY SHERWOOD
Copyright 1986
Published By
And for
MV ORIENT EXPRESS
This is a nice cruise shop styled official postcard. The setting of this ship with the famous Venice landmark square makes for a nice postcard image enhanced nicely by strips of the shipping lines official colours down the left side. Being an ‘official postcard’ this was only sold on board so could only be accessed by passengers. Cards like this can be highly sought after as more unusual and less common than other generally sold shipping cards.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
This postcard has the ‘added’ bonus of having been posted on board the MV Orient Express receiving the ships ‘POSTED ON BOARD’ boxed cachet, and these cachets are always worth seeking out, especially any nice clear strikes like this one. This card was then taken off and posted in Turkey. The handwritten date in blue is the 5th October 1987 which leads me to believe the date in the cancellation on the stamp is the 9th October. I know it looks like it is the 19th but I think what looks like the figure one at the start is actually the edge of the date block segment. Four days seems highly more likely for the ships travelling and natural postage delay.
The combination of message, written by a passenger, cachet and stamp with its cancellation makes this a nice piece of maritime philately. Well worth the £4 this is marked up at, even better at the 50p I paid when I found it in a cheap box.
23/07/2020
6th GRUPPO C.T.
By
TONY JACKSON
Published by
TONY JACKSON & ASSOCS’
Ref: INSIGNIA CARDS
Set No. 1
“WARPLANES OF WWII”
Card No. 8
Often my postings here are influenced by where I have been and what I am doing. Today is no different as I have been to the Eden Camp museum just outside York. This used to be a prisoner of war camp for German soldiers during world war II. The huts have now been turned into exhibits with each hut based on a facet of modern military history. Although the majority is themed around WWII there are huts for WW1 and all subsequent military engagements since WW2 ended in which British forces were involved. So, as I spent nearly four hours surrounded by images and information related to military engagement, and its affects on the home front back here in the UK, I suppose it will come as no surprise that I have chosen a military, WW2 themed postcard image to post here. All the information re the image is written up on the reverse side (saves me doing it)
21/07/2020
WHITBY
CAPTAIN COOK EMBARKING 1776
By
FRED TAYLOR
Printed and Distributed by
STAR EDITIONS LTD
(National Railway Museum Image)
Ref: RAIL174
A lovely poster design for the town of Whitby which I visited today and which from this angle does not look much different to what is depicted here, although of course up close you see the more modern trappings, and all the current social distancing and Covid-19 information posters, banners and official signs (this is something now being seen in every town, village, city and other location across the country – the new modern Britain, if you like).
I love Whitby and I have even been known to name it as my favourite location in the UK. The food is nice, especially the local smoked kippers (I had one for my breakfast), rock, with Whitby written right through it of course (I’ve always loved the orange rock and the pineapple rock, although I am willing to admit that mint is the traditional flavour – we have this in my home town as well of course as like Whitby Southend is a seaside town) and something now called ‘Dracula’s Dream’ which is a chocolate and strawberry fudge combination (this used be called ‘Dracula’s Blood’, but the name has changed at some point since I last visited, as has the location of the shop making and selling it – for a horrible moment today I though the shop had gone completely and I was not going to get any. This sweet delicacy is something I visit Whitby to get – I don’t know why the name has changed either, but the person in the new-location shop knew what I meant when I said ‘Dracula’s Blood’). Dracula is of course linked directly to the town due to its inclusion in the Dracula book written by Bram Stoker, who once stayed in Whitby (which is assumed to be why he got the idea to include it as a location in the book). I did buy some Dracula and vampire inspired postcards in Whitby today which I shall depict on the webpage at a later-date.
20/07/2020
A DUCHESS AT CARLISLE
By
B. J. FREEMAN
Published by
FINESSE
‘THE B. J. FREEMAN COLLECTORS CARDS’
Ref: RAILWAY SERIES
No. 1
Sometimes a piece of artwork is so stunningly realistic that you almost have to take a double-look, just to confirm it is a painting and not a photograph. This steam train painting is a cracker.
20/07/2020
BERLIN
UNTER DEN LINDEN
HAUPTWACHE
Unknown Publisher
As it happens Berlin is where I should have been today and the last few days as we had a holiday all booked up, but like many we had our trip cancelled due to the pandemic. Unter den Linden is ‘very close’ to where our hotel is based (the same hotel that we have stayed in on our previous two trips both of which were last year – we like Berlin a lot).
The building depicted here is called the Neue Wache (New Guardhouse) and still stands as it did when this picture was painted early in the last century. It was originally a guardhouse for the royal palace and was a memorial to the Liberation Wars. It is a listed building now. You can not enter this building but you can see into it and although it at first looks to be like a great empty cavity it does in fact have a piece of statue art in the centre towards the back titled ‘Mother with her dead son’ by Kathe Kollwitz. There is an oculus above this statue, a hole if you like, so the statue is exposed to the rain and snow, but this statue has only been here since the early mid 1990’s (after or during 1993 to be more precise). I have walked past this building a number of times, and when I do, I always try and stop and take a look through the gate at this meaningful statue.
19/07/2020
MAKE DO AND MEND
Mend and make do, to save buying new
World War II poster
Published by
ROBERT OPIE
Ref: WWII HOME FRONT SERIES
01WH05
“Make Do and Mend” was a famous WWII piece of propaganda and advice. Military history fascinates me, especially the WWII period. One of my interests is the posters used on the home front in both the UK and in Germany. Because of their historical importance, and often because they also have great artwork etc, these have appeared on large numbers of modern postcards published by people like Robert Opie and museums up and down the country and across Europe. The Imperial War Museum is a good example and a selection of these have previously appeared across the webpage. It is not unusual to find the really well known and popular posters printed on postcards of more than one publisher, but to give Robert his due he does seem to pick out some unusual images across his postcard releases both pre and post both world war periods.
19/07/2020
BRIDLINGTON
GUIDE FREE FROM INFORMATION BUREAU BRIDLINGTON OR ANY L.N.E.R. AGENCY
Bridlington by
W. H. BARRIBAL (L.N.E.R. [London and North Eastern Railway] c 1925
Published by
MID-PENNINE PUBLICATIONS
Ref: THE ART OF RAILWAYS -
FUN AT THE SEASIDE SERIES
AR 56
I visited Bridlington for the very first time today (and by chance had this postcard scanned into my laptop and came across it by chance – what a wonderful coincidence I thought!). This postcard depicts a lovely 1920’s era railway promotional poster design which shows the delights of this seaside town. From my visit today I suspect much has changed in the past 100 odd years! Having said that I must admit that the beach here is fantastic and if you like those indicative seafront amusement arcades, rides, fish & chips and ice cream stalls then this could be your heaven. We did have a fun day, well, few hours and the highlight was actually a meal at the ‘Pier 6 Boardwalk Café’, if you visit here I can recommend the fish & chips, which Jo and Rebecca had, and the steak pie, which I had and thoroughly enjoyed - I know this is not a café/restaurant guide, but Hey! We all need to eat, and travel and postcards naturally go together.
18/07/2020
VERA LYNN
Published by
MAYFAIR CARDS OF LONDON
Courtesy of Vintage Postcards International
Distributed by
THE POSTCARD WAREHOUSE
Ref: 260
A sad postcard in respect of recent incidents. Vera Lynn sadly passed away recently, but she had a long and very eventful and I believe important life, but a passing is sad regardless. Then there is the other sad fact that the proprietors of the company ‘Mayfair Cards of London’ both lost their lives to the Covid-19 pandemic. Let us all hope that good, or at least better news is on our horizon and we can all exit from the bad period of 2020.
16/07/2020
HOLIDAY BREAK
Yes, I know. Who would have thought, a holiday in 2020! But, in all seriousness we are going up north to the beautiful area of York. This will be our first trip out with the campervan this year. Obviously, this is much later than we had planned but like many around the world our trips were curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As is often the case when we travel postings are rather reliant on how the wifi is at the location we are staying. So, there may be some postings, but equally there may not be any new postings for the next week. If I find anything interesting on my days out, I will place some posts on our facebook page. Whatever happens I know that I will find some new stuff to show you when we do return.
16/07/2020
IGUANIDAE
2015
Watercolour and ink on paper
By
DAN POWER
Published by
AVANTCARD AUSTRALIA
(Out of Home Media)
Free Rack Card
Ref: #19869
Issued 2016
This is one of the free postcards that this company issued which depicted artwork by an artist who had applied for their free artist promotional postcard scheme. This is certainly an artist whose work I would like to see more of.
16/07/2020
STINGRAY CITY
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Photography & Publishing by
ANNE FLINN POWELL
Designed and Printed by
POST CARD USA
Ref: PCUSA3046
This is another of the highly colourful, and tourist attracting, postcards I bought when my cruise ship pulled into Grand Cayman in 2018. I have been swimming with stingrays several times and they are graceful, gliding creatures, and I think this was why this card appealed to me, but I will also say that the photograph montage is superb. As an extra bargain there is a recipe on the reverse side.
16/07/2020
NATIONAL POSTCARD WEEK
2ND to 10TH May 1992
EUROTUNNEL
By
RICK GEARY
Published by
FLAIR POSTCARDS
(HOVE, SUSSEX, UK)
Ref: CS OO4: NPW, 1992 EUROTUNNEL
Limited Edition of 750
With the growing of his popularity through the 1980’s and into the 1990’s it became popular for some British postcard dealers to use Rick Geary to produce artwork for UK postcards. ‘Flair’, a modern postcard dealership, used Rick several times. I do like the ones which have something specifically British or UK themed within the design, and the Eurotunnel fitted this well. I think this is a superb card.
15/07/2020
MARILYN MONROE
1946
Photograph by
JOSEPH JASGUR
Published by
FOTOFOLIO (New York)
Ref: P308
Some of the early modelling photographs show just what a natural beauty Marilyn Monroe had. I prefer these earlier images to those later ones after she had learnt to use her sexuality and appear in photographs as a sexual star. This photograph here is one of my favourites.
15/07/2020
CHARLIE CHAPLIN
In
THE ADVENTURER
Mutual Chaplin Specials
Published by
EDITIONS AVANT GARDE
Ref: P1232
This is a film poster for Chaplin’s 1917 film (released 22nd October). This was a short comedy, 31 minutes long, and was the last film he made under contract for the Mutual Film Corporation. The film was written by Chaplin (or at least the scenario for the film).
For some reason Chaplin is not as popular on postcards as some other famous past film stars, but if you do collect related cards you can find some nice ones.
15/07/2020
COURT OF HONOUR
IMPERIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
LONDON, 1909
Printed by
VALENTINE & SONS LTD, DUNDEE, LONDON, NEW YORK
Official Imperial International Exhibition Postcard
Another of the many exhibition postcards which came out in the early part of the last century when these exhibitions were at their height. I like the artist palette border to this postcard design as it gives something different to this issue. I suspect it would have caught the eye of visitors to the event.
This exhibition was a ‘World’s Fair’ held in the ‘White City’ in London, a location which was used for a number of exhibitions around this time, including ones which have appeared on postcards here on this webpage in the past. This was, in fact, the second of five exhibitions to be held at the White City. This exhibition opened on the 20th May 1909 and ran for five months before closing in October 1909.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
This one was posted from the exhibition and received a special postmark:
SCOTTISH VILLAGE
SHEPHERDS BUSH
AU 7 [August 7th]
09 [1909]
This is quite a nice cancellation as in the Stanley Gibbons Collect British Postmarks catalogue (8th Edition) it is priced at £25 (Reference 64 on page 198).
14/07/2020
LOVE FROM FLORIDA
Manufactured and Published by
LAWSON MARDON
Distributed by
SEMINOLE POST CARDS INC
TRAVEL TIME PRODUCTS
Ref: 709-A3167SC
0 171537 8 (bar code reference number)
My holiday to Florida later in the year has been cancelled, which came as no surprise, and to be fair we had already decided to cancel it ourselves having read all the news coming out of Florida at the moment. They are suffering high numbers daily re coronavirus cases, and to be honest it does not look promising. I hope Florida manages to get Covid under control, I really do. Fingers crossed for a visit next year.
14/07/2020
LES DEMOISELLES D’AVIGNON
By
PABLO PICASSO
Published by
THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
New York
This is a famous and ‘very-important’ painting in the Picasso story. It is also a painting I particularly wanted to visit this museum (come art gallery) to see. Before visiting New York, I had watched a documentary on the life of Picasso in which the importance of this painting was discussed. Apparently, this painting is ‘considered to be’ seminal in the early development of both cubism and modern art. I do understand how this painting does not appeal to all, but I find modern art fascinating, I don’t like all of it, but I do like much of it.
When I saw this on the wall, and its quite a big painting, I was fascinated with it. I readily admit that I stood there for some time looking at this one. I am glad that I have had the chance to see it for real. I bought this postcard as a souvenir of my visit.
13/07/2020
CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19 Themed Postcard
CHINESE ISSUE
Unknown Publisher
Published in China
March 2020
As I do not read Chinese I can not tell you what it says on the reverse side of this postcard, but I can tell you that it was released in March of this year and that it is a very nice design. I obtained this one direct from China via a collector/dealer on Delcampe.
13/07/2020
ILLUSTRATION DU CHAR ROMAIN DE SAINTES
CARRUCA DORMITORIA
‘Illustration of the Roman Tank of Saintes’
Published by the
MUSEE ARCHEOLOGIQUE DE SAINTES
Archaeological Museum Saintes
This is the type of postcard which you normally can only obtain by visiting the museum in question where the card is being sold, and to honest, this is the case here as I have visited this little museum. Saintes is a town often mentioned on this webpage as it is located close to the house, which was my in-laws, but is now ours. So, I have visited many of the local attractions, including this museum. I am a bit of a history buff so unusual images like this appeal to me.
SALLE DU CHAR ROMAIN
‘Room of the Roman Tank [Chariot]’
Published by the
MUSEE ARCHEOLOGIQUE DE SAINTES
Archaeological Museum Saintes
This is the inside of the museum from which the above postcard was bought. It is the type of postcard that people, myself included, buy as a souvenir of their visit to this museum.