EMAIL ADDRESS - markspostcardchat@gmail.com
07/06/2020
BY POST SPACE INITIATIVE
An Initiative to send the first postcard from space
Project initiated by, and postcard published by
LUKE HERON
(BY POST SPACE INITIATIVE)
What is the longest period you have waited to receive a postcard, having paid for it? Well, how about 1,742 days, that’s very nearly five years! Some explanation may be required here, so let me explain. Around five years (and for me, three houses and two house moves) I saw an unusual advert for a project that was going to send a rocket into space with a camera onboard which was going to take pictures of the earth. Then a single photograph would be sent back to Earth and printed as postcards and sent out to people. The project was to be financed by people paying in advance to receive their postcard, if I remember correctly, they were £2 each. Well, what’s £2 I thought, so I paid my two pound and sat back and waited, and to be honest eventually completely forgot about the whole project until in early 2020 I got a new email asking for confirmation of my address – good job really having moved twice! Then on the 22nd May (or there abouts) I received this postcard through the post… as they say, better late than never.
I also got another email message saying that their project to “send the first postcard from space” was now ‘Mission Complete’. The postcard was proof that they had managed to make their launch and take a high-resolution image and upload this from 20 miles above the Earth’s surface. They, Luke Heron, hoped that any disappointment in the execution of this project would be offset by its final completion. Luke also said that “I see the almost 5 years it took to complete this project as a badge of honour rather than 5 years of failure”.
Lots of people like me had paid just the £2 for a single postcard (there was an option to receive more, but I suspect many of us just requested the one), but because of the delay and as a bonus to all of us who had stayed with the project (or like me had just forgotten about it) Luke decided to produce a folded strip of extra postcards (he called it an A6 sized booklet, but it’s a folded strip within two loose cardboard covers held together with two elastic bands). These extra postcards would depict other images taken at the same time as the main single postcard image. Even better, we would receive two copies of this postcard strip. This was described as a reward in addition to our ordered card. I received my two folded strips within a couple days and each contains 9 postcards and two multi-view information postcard sized cards – see photographs below – so, I think my £2, paid just under 5 years ago, was an investment and I am glad I took up the offer way back then… what do you think?
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
(my address has been covered over but this did come through the post to me)
PHOTOGRAPH
Images from the two extra folded strips of postcards I received
PHOTOGRAPH
Images from the two extra folded strips of postcards I received
PHOTOGRAPH
Images from the two extra folded strips of postcards I received
PHOTOGRAPH
Images from the two extra folded strips of postcards I received
PHOTOGRAPH
Images from the two extra folded strips of postcards I received
PHOTOGRAPH
Images from the two extra folded strips of postcards I received
PHOTOGRAPH
Images from the two extra folded strips of postcards I received
06/06/2020
MOMA
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
NEW YORK
Printed in China
Published by the
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Ref: 802028
This is a lovely postcard and one which I picked up from the museum when I was there in February, although that seems like an age ago now, especially after the last three months, but looking at this card reminds me of better times before the virus took hold.
06/06/2020
FIRST ANNUAL
GREAT CANADIAN POST CARD EXPOSITION
Presented by
THE TORONTO POSTCARD CLUB
Sunday 28th February 1982
Published by
TORONTO POST CARD CLUB
A nice Canadian postcard event postcard. I only have a handful of Canadian postcards, a mixture of scenes and some thematic cards, but this might be the only Canadian post card club card that I have.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
06/06/2020
WISH YOU WERE HERE…..
HOLMFIRTH POSTCARD MUSEUM
NATIONAL POSTCARD WEEK
1ST – 8TH MAY 1988
Printed by
BERIC TEMPEST & Co. Ltd
Published by
KIRKLEES MUSEUMS
This postcard was available at the original Holmfirth Postcard Museum, which sadly closed-down many years ago now (although I believe a new one has opened-up since nearby). Fortunately, I got to visit the original museum before it closed. We were on a tour of different locations and I had always wanted to visit Holmfirth because it is where ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ was filmed, the postcard museum was a bonus.
This postcard can be found with and without the ‘National Postcard Week’ added black text, although the cards without this are harder to find and in smaller numbers.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
05/06/2020
4 NOVEMBRE 1966
FIRENZE
PIAZZA POGGI E LUNGARNI
Published by
NOVA LUX
Casa Editrice G. Giusti – DI BECOCCI, FIRENZE
Ref: 69 A
Remember, things can always be worse! Firenze is Florence in Italy and this photograph is of the flood that occurred that year, 1966. 101 people were killed during the flood, which is called the ‘1966 flood of the Arno’. The flood also damaged and destroyed millions of masterpieces of art and rare books (some of which still require preservation work to commence even today). It was the worse flood in the city’s history since 1557. So, as I say, Remember, that things can always be worse.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
05/06/2020
WESTPEX
AMERICAN STAMP SHOW
SAN FRANCISCO
April 24th – 26th 2020
Official event promotional postcard
Published by the organisers
A great postcard for an event which was unfortunately not held. This US annual stamp show was due to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year, but the show was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The cancellation was announced towards the end of March (officially on the 23rd of March but I believe the rumour of the shows cancellation had been circulating before this date). When I saw this postcard, I had to have it as an unusual addition to my ‘Covid-19’ themed collection (I have a section on events cancelled due to coronavirus)
03/06/2020
WE’VE BEEN SO QUIET
I HAD NO NEWS
Unknown Publisher
(but there is a logo on the reverse side with either a ‘BS’ in it or a ‘SB’)
Ref: C.S. 461
A nice early American postcard featuring children. This card was bought whilst I was in Florida last year. The design appealed to me and it was priced at just $1 which I thought was a bargain.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Unfortunately, the year is difficult to make out on the cancellation, but it is going to be an early usage. I think it is 1913, mainly because of the stamps issue period, 1912 – 1914 (although I accept that a latter use is not out of the question) and I believe the stamp was bought to post this postcard, which to me indicates the possible year of usage as I can clearly see the bottom of a 1 and what could be the bottom of a 3. The card was posted from Grand Rapids in Michigan.
03/06/2020
PIERCE BROSNAN
As
JAMES BOND
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
Published by
BOOMERANG CINEMA CARDS
Free Rack Postcard
Our lockdown is coming to a gradual end, but in the last couple of weeks I have been watching the Brosnan era James Bond films including The World is Not Enough. I am a big fan of the Bond feature films and I have always though that Brosnan was a particularly good Bond, and one most suitable to the era he was playing the part through. This is not my favourite of his films, but it is still a good one.
DENISE RICHARDS
As
CHRISTMAS JONES
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
Published by
BOOMERANG CINEMA CARDS
Free Rack Postcard
Another of those truly atrocious female character names from the Bond films. Some of the ‘Christmas’ jokes that ensued were terrible.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
03/06/2020
MEET KIRK’S
CHILDHOOD HERO
TV Series “ENTERPRISE”
Published by
BOOMERANG (CINEMA)
This free rack postcard is interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is one of only a handful of postcards related to the Star Trek television series called ‘Enterprise’ which first appeared way back now in 2001 (I was genuinely surprised at how long ago this was). The series was set in the mid-22nd century, so over 100 years before the times of Captain Kirk and the setting for the original Star Trek TV series. Because of this obvious connection television connection, it is also a cracking addition to my television collection. Lastly, this is an advert postcard for a ‘Video’ release of the pilot from the series. Remember these? Video’s? Once so important video tapes are now a thing of the past, a bygone collectible these days.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
01/06/2020
MODERN PETS
DQUICK 852
DQUICK.JP
Published by
ADCARD
(Japanese Free Rack Card Company)
It is really nice for once to admit that I know absolutely nothing about this postcard. I picked it up from a cheap box (15p I think), and at that sort of price how could you resist this.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
01/06/2020
UNTITLED
DOG ART
By Canadian Artist
MAGDALENA WOJCICKA
Privately Published by
MAGDALENA WOJCICKA
Earlier in the year I received some Covid-19 themed postcards from Magdalena, which I have since posted on the website. With that set I also received this lovely art postcard because Magdalena wanted me to have an example of her more normal type of postcard issue.
31/05/2020
LEGO – BATMAN 3
BEYOND GOTHAM
BATMAN
Published by
THE LEGO GROUP
Official Computer Game Promotion postcard set
Copyright 2014
It’s been a busy couple of days, and I have been working on my display sheets, so no posting yesterday and just a quick one on Friday when I heard about the sad death of some well known postcard dealers. So, I thought I had better put something on today, and a set seemed to be a good idea.
This set was issued to promote the release of the computer video game LEGO BATMAN 3: BEYOND GOTHAM, which was released on 11th November 2014. Each card is a separate character card as depicted in lego.
LEGO – BATMAN 3
BEYOND GOTHAM
SUPERMAN
Published by
THE LEGO GROUP
Official Computer Game Promotion postcard set
Copyright 2014
LEGO – BATMAN 3
BEYOND GOTHAM
GREEN LANTERN
Published by
THE LEGO GROUP
Official Computer Game Promotion postcard set
Copyright 2014
LEGO – BATMAN 3
BEYOND GOTHAM
CYBORG
Published by
THE LEGO GROUP
Official Computer Game Promotion postcard set
Copyright 2014
LEGO – BATMAN 3
BEYOND GOTHAM
WONDER WOMAN
Published by
THE LEGO GROUP
Official Computer Game Promotion postcard set
Copyright 2014
LEGO – BATMAN 3
BEYOND GOTHAM
FLASH
Published by
THE LEGO GROUP
Official Computer Game Promotion postcard set
Copyright 2014
STANDARD REVERSE SIDE FOR ALL THE ABOVE POSTCARDS
29/05/2020
RIP ….. Roy Allen and his wife Cheryl
MAYFAIR CARDS & Vintage Postcards International
CHARLIE CHAPLIN
CITY LIGHTS (1931)
Published by
MAYFAIR CARDS
Ref: ‘MAGIC OF THE MOVIES SERIES’ - FP 860
There will not be many modern postcard collectors who will not have heard of ‘Mayfair Cards’, especially so for any collector in and around the London area, but also across most of the south east of the country. Roy and his wife Cheryl were the people behind ‘Mayfair Cards’. I had the pleasure to meet both on various occasions, and I have a large collection of their postcards, all published with their distinctive reverse layout. I was saddened to hear today that both Roy and Cheryl have passed away as a result of Covid-19. Their passing is a great loss to the hobby and particularly so to the moderns publishing aspect. Thankfully, their publishing output was substantial, and they will be remembered as their cards circulate amongst collectors for many years to come. My condolences go out to their family and friends.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
That distinctive MAYFAIR CARDS layout
27/05/2020
CAMBRIDGE
A Series of modern postcards reproducing images of old used Cambridge view postcards
Copyright
EMMANUEL GILL
Published by and Distributed by
STAR EDITIONS LTD
Ref: EGCAMB002PC
When I visited Cambridge on my last visit, towards the end of last summer, I came across this series of postcards which looked extremely attractive on the postcard spinners of more than one shop. It is probably clear why they appealed to me, the use of original old Cambridge view postcards was always going to attract someone like me. I also think these are very clever as they appeal to the current fascination in nostalgia.
QUEEN’S BRIDGE AND COLLEGE
CAMBRIDGE
A Series of modern postcards reproducing images of old used Cambridge view postcards
Copyright
EMMANUEL GILL
Published by and Distributed by
STAR EDITIONS LTD
Ref: EGCAMB009PC
ST JOHN’S COLLEGE
CAMBRIDGE
A Series of modern postcards reproducing images of old used Cambridge view postcards
Copyright
EMMANUEL GILL
Published by and Distributed by
STAR EDITIONS LTD
Ref: EGCAMB013PC
TRINITY COLLEGE
CAMBRIDGE
A Series of modern postcards reproducing images of old used Cambridge view postcards
Copyright
EMMANUEL GILL
Published by and Distributed by
STAR EDITIONS LTD
Ref: EGCAMB015PC
27/05/2020
NORTH CORNWALL
By
EMMA BALL
Published by
EMMA BALL
Ref: UKPOST40
What a lovely postcard design. If you were a tourist in North Cornwall how could you possibly resist this one. My son and his family bought this one for me when they were on holiday in Cornwall a couple of years ago. I really like this one.
27/05/2020
WOODEN AERIAL TOWERS FOR
CHAIN HOME RADAR AT
RENSCOMBE FARM, WORTH MATRAVERS
CIRCA 1941
Published by
PURBECK RADAR MUSEUM TRUST
I have interest in the UK radar story besides its obvious connection with military history and this is because there is a small, but essential part of the story connected to the history of television. The inventor of radar was struggling with distance and power issues because of the capability of radio valves at the time. Fortunately, a component of television sets was found to be much better and eventually lead to the initial success of radar.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
I do like it when postcard publishers and printers take some time to also work on the layouts of the reverse sides. This one has the use of different coloured inks and a printed little stamp like label in the stamp box position. With a nice little bit of informative text as well this is a near perfect reverse side layout.
27/05/2020
2020
STAY SAFE – STAY WELL
Lockdown themed postcard design
Designed by and issued by
CLAIRE HOLSTEAD
I came across this delightful postcard design, and the one depicted below on eBay. I am putting together a collection of Covid-19, pandemic and ‘lockdown’ themed postcards, stamps and philatelic material so could not resist these. They are well made, which sometimes is not the case with eBay sold items, and although simple in context are very well designed.
POEM POSTCARD
STAY SAFE – STAY WELL
Lockdown themed postcard design
Designed by and issued by
CLAIRE HOLSTEAD
26/05/2020
IPA
INTERNATIONAL POSTCARD ASSOCIATION, INC
USA
A nonprofit private organisation founded December 29th, 1987
Painting by
JOHN STOREY
Published by the
International Postcard Association, Inc (IPA)
Ref: Series 3 – Card No. 1 – 1990
John Storey is a British artist who specialised in painting trains, especially steam trains and he published a series of these paintings himself on postcards. He issued quite a few in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. His postcards were popular which is probably why he was asked to produce this painting for exclusive use by the IPA (they commissioned a number of well known postcard artists to produce images for their postcards, including Patrick Hamm in France).
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
26/05/2020
LONDON LIFE
THE BUS DRIVER
TUCKS POSTCARDS
ALWAYS JOLLY AND UP-TO-TIME
Published by
RAPHAEL TUCK & SONS
OILETTE type
Ref: “LONDON LIFE” Postcard 9057
This postcard was printed with additional text on the front to turn it into an advert postcard for the postcard publisher Raphael Tuck & Sons, who were the publishers of this card without their advert. This is a great postcard with loads of postcard history incorporated with it. Raphael Tuck & Sons is probably one of the UK’s greatest postcard publishers.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
If the front of this postcard was not interesting enough you also have this side with its printed advert and all its information.
25/05/2020
JOIN HANDS
IN COVID-19 PREVENTION AND CONTROL
VIETNAM MAXI-CARD SET
CHUNG TAY PHONG CHONG DICH COVID-19
(4000d Value Stamp – Cancelled first day of issue: 31st March 2020)
Design
PHONGDX
Published by
VIETNAM POST
Vietnam Post appear to have been the first to issue a Covid-19 themed maxi-card, someone else (Iran) beat them to issuing a stamp related to the theme, but Vietnam definitely got there first on the maxi-card front, and they produced two cracking cards as well.
JOIN HANDS
IN COVID-19 PREVENTION AND CONTROL
VIETNAM MAXI-CARD SET
CHUNG TAY PHONG CHONG DICH COVID-19
(15000d Value Stamp – Cancelled first day of issue: 31st March 2020)
Design
PHONGDX
Published by
VIETNAM POST
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE TWO MAXI-CARDS
(Both cards have the same reverse design)
24/05/2020
STONE AND SOIL
(TRANS PENNINE TRAIL)
Reproduced from a Millennium stamp featuring a photograph by
John Parker
Published by
ROYAL MAIL
Ref: PHQ 221 (b) 7.00
This is one of the PHQ cards for the millennium series of stamp designs issued throughout 2000. Not a particularly popular series, in fact one quite derided at the time and for many years after, especially the photographic ones which were released in 2000. I had some spare ones of these, and I saw advance information of a special hand stamp which immediately appealed, and I thought this was the perfect postcard to have it applied to.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
I thought this was a great handstamp and as it is horse related, I thought this card with the horse’s legs on it was ideal and I had a spare copy of the stamp as well. Because of an increase in the postal rates between the issue of this card/stamp and the special hand stamp I needed to add an extra 1p to make the correct rate, fortunately this also meant I got an extra strike of the special cancellation:
LUFTHANSA OLYMPIC FLIGHT
LH 8612 B747F
LONDON – SYDNEY
23 – 08 – 2000
Of course, there will be no Olympics this year as the games have been cancelled for this year and re-scheduled for next year.
23/05/2020
WHAT’S BETTER THAN
A BRUCE LEE MOVIE?
TWO BRUCE LEE MOVIES.
FIST OF FURY.
THE CHINESE CONNECTION.
Unknown Publisher
(although the reverse layout is ‘very’ similar to that used by the, ironically named, modern company called ‘VINTAGE POSTCARD COMPANY’)
I used to know someone in the 1990’s who collected Bruce Lee memorabilia. He would have loved this one. Back in the 1990’s there was a shop down Charring Cross Road called ‘The Vintage Postcard Co’ where they had two walls of postcards which were mainly film and television related, postcards just like this one in fact. I suspect, having seen the reverse layout of this card, that this card could well have been on the wall in this shop.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
23/05/2020
HOW TO LIVE ON
TEN QUID A WEEK!
Published by
BAMFORTH & CO., LTD (Holmfirth, Yorkshire)
Ref: “COMIC” Series No. 1430
This is one of the television themed saucy seaside postcards in my television themed collection. I do like the fact that there are only two items which seem to cost more than the weekly television allowance, and that’s Beer and Cigarettes!
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
23/05/2020
RUGBY
By
PAMELA RHODES
HEADINGLEY WOMEN’S RUGBY UNION TEAM, FORMED IN 1988, CURRENTLY TOP OF DIVISION 2 NORTH, AMD PLAYING IN LEEDS, ENGLAND
This card is produced for
WOMEN’S SPORTS FOUNDATION
Printed by
WILDCAT CARDS
Ref: SPORTING WOMEN 91 postcard series
P47
One of the things that people are missing at this moment is sport, of just about any type. All the major events have been cancelled, including Wimbledon which my wife really enjoys. Sport is also a popular theme amongst postcard collectors, with the top three probably being Football, Ruby and Cricket (no real surprise there considering all three are major UK sports). The women’s championships for all three of these sports have become popular on television over the past few years and I am sure this trend will continue once these sports are allowed to recommence.
REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD
Print 