04/07/2020

Happy 4^th of July (Independence Day) to my American followers

G.A.R.

(Grand Army of the Republic)

TO MY COMRADE

Embossed Design

Unnamed Publisher

Ref: Decoration Day Series No. 2

I liked the embossing on this design, and its overall American themed content, something which appealed to me when I came across this postcard whilst in Florida last year. As a fan of early American postcards this one instantly shouted out to be bought.

The Grand Army of the Republic was an organisation, or a fraternal organisation composed of veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marines and Revenue cutter service who served in the American civil war. It was founded on the 6^th April 1866 in Springfield Illinois. It was shut down in 1956 upon the death of its final member.     

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

04/07/2020

NATIONAL POSTCARD WEEK

MAY 1 – 7, 1988

Artwork by

RICK GEARY

Published by

JOHN & DOLORES PITTMAN (Wichita, Kansas)

Limited edition of 500

(individually numbered)

This great postcard has a design based on the Wizard of Oz, depicting Dorothy and her companions the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion. I always liked the fact that the characters are either carrying postcards or are throwing them into the air for all to see. A classic Rick Geary piece of artwork and a great early and reasonably valuable postcard (and so it should be)

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

03/07/2020

BEST WISHES FOR YOUR

BIRTHDAY

“Let this greeting card I send

“bridge” the distance between us

with Best Wishes for your Birthday”

Published by

ART PHOTO

An interesting postcard with an image of Tower Bridge in London on the left and a photograph of a young boy on the right. I have sometimes wondered if this was a standard image and the boy appeared on all the cards (which I suspect is the case) or if this was the boy who was sent the card (by his auntie) and the photograph was applied as a special card (although to be honest I don’t think this is likely, I have certainly not seen other cards of this style with different images on them, but I accept this is a possibility). It is a nice card though, with the popular deckle edging found so often on what was the cheaper range of postcards available from the late 1920’s through to the late 1950’s (probably their most popular decade).

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

Used 1934

03/07/2020

PENSION OFFICE,

WASHINGTON D. C.

“Pension Building, with an area of 200 by 400 feet is the largest brick building in the world. At the inauguration balls, 18,000 people have gathered within its vast court”

Published by

B. S. REYNOLDS CO.,

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Ref: R 2342

I have shown a few of these older Washington D.C. building postcards which I picked up in 2018 when I visited America and although I did visit Washington D.C. I actually bought these postcards whilst in Arizona when I came across them in an antiques shop in Flagstaff (which I have mentioned before). There is something about these photographs which appeal to me and I do like them.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

02/07/2020

 MULBERRY

ISLINGTON BAG IN CHERRY/NICKEL CONGO

WITH REYNOLDS JACKET IN LILAC SUEDE

NASH CROP STRETCH DENIM TROUSER AND LIZA LYCRA JERSEY TOP

‘MULBERRY SPRING/SUMMER 2000 COLLECTION’

Published by

MULBERRY

Official Company promotional postcard

There was a time when advertising styled postcards were extremely common and extremely well collected. I believe they are still collected but unfortunately are now not as common as they once were, and I fear the drop off in new issues is leading to a reduction in collectors of this theme. This card, and the two below were issued 20 years ago.

MULBERRY

DAYPACK IN CHALK SCOTCHGRAIN

JULIET ¾ SLEEVE GINGHAM BLOUSE AND WHITE CHINO

‘MULBERRY SPRING/SUMMER 2000 COLLECTION’

Published by

MULBERRY

Official Company promotional postcard

MULBERRY

FLIGHT TROLLEY SUITER,

CUTAWAY WINDSOR GINGHAM SHIRT,

WESTMINSTER QUEENS LINEN SUIT,

FLIGHT FOLDAWAY MAC IN STONE

‘MULBERRY SPRING/SUMMER 2000 COLLECTION’

Published by

MULBERRY

Official Company promotional postcard

02/07/2020

UNSPUNNEN

1805 – 2005

Official Stamp Card

Designed by

BEAT KEHRLI

Published by

LA POSTE 2005

It is always nice when someone sends you a postcard for your collection. This one came from my friend David Rye. I may not know anything about the theme here but thankfully, as you can see below, David kindly did a little write up for me. So, for once I do not have to do the research.

01/07/2020

BUTLIN’S MINEHEAD

THE MONORAIL

Published by

BUTLIN’S HOLIDAY CAMP

Ref: M13

I did love riding the monorail as a kid, I especially loved that it was all free and that my brother and me could just go round and round on it looking down on all the other holiday campers enjoying the swimming pool, roller skating rink (we liked this as well) and the other amenities.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

The interesting thing about the cancellation here is that the main circular die was placed in upside down, which means that the location ‘MINEHEAD’ appears around the bottom of the circular die instead of across the top, with the date also upside down. This was posted in 1971.

The message is amusing as clearly the sender thought Minehead was better than Bognor (Regis)! I liked the bit about them not seeing much of their boys, the message says: “hardly see them”. I am sure my parents could have said the same thing about me and my brother.

01/07/2020

NATIONAL HEROES

Iran Stamp Issue

Maxi-Cards

Published by

IRAN COLLECTORS. COM

Iran were the first country to issue a Covid-19 themed postage stamp, which was released on the 18^th March 2020 (although I have seen it printed that this stamp was released on the 17^th, although all the maxi-cards and first day covers I have seen coming out of Iran are dated the 18^th). There are quite a few maxi-cards available, although I think the three depicted here are the best looking ones I have so far seen (I have the others on order, but they take a while to travel from Iran).

This design follows that of the actual stamp image, and as such seems to work well.

NATIONAL HEROES

Iran Stamp Issue

Maxi-Cards

Published by

IRAN COLLECTORS. COM

This one has the same image but appears to be nearer the original drawing from which the stamp design was taken. I think this one might be my favourite so far.

NATIONAL HEROES

Iran Stamp Issue

Maxi-Cards

Published by

IRAN COLLECTORS. COM

This one just depicts the medical people depicted on the stamp design (the other person is actually a soldier, which explains the heavy duty gas mask and, although it is hard to make out, the massive machine gun the soldier has behind him). The medics here are in reverse to how they appear on the stamp.

STANDARD REVERSE SIDE FOR ALL THREE OF THE ABOVE MAXI-CARDS

30/06/2020

DONALD DUCK

Published by

LAWSON MARDON POST CARD

Ref: HSC/46WDW – 1012 (PC709)

I love the way the Disney theme park character costumes have changed over the decades (something which I have mentioned before when I showed a number of different Mickey Mouse costumes on a previous posting some time ago). This is Donald Duck on a postcard posted in 1993, which was the first year I got to visit Walt Disney World, so I suspect this was the Donald I first got to see.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

30/06/2020

NC, USA [North Carolina] to ESSEX, UK

Personal Postcard sent to me here in the UK

By

Robin Jacques

This one is truly unique, and was made by my friend Robin who lives in North Carolina in the United States. The card was used by Robin to send me some superb American stamps, a set I had been looking at and thought was a beautiful set, so I am delighted she has sent them to me.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

The three stamps were issued in 2019 for the 150^th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. On the left is the Central Pacific Railroads ‘Jupiter’ and on the right the Union Pacific Railroads No. 119. I can never resist a beautiful stamp or stamp set, and this set is a real cracker.

30/06/2020

CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF

OUR BLIND VETERANS UK

CENTRE IN BRIGHTON.

Dame Vera Lynn visiting our Brighton centre in 1981,

With blind veteran Paul Duffy

Published by

BLIND VETERANS UK

“Life Beyond Sight Loss”

St Dunston’s Since 1915

A reminder of how Dame Vera Lynn never lost her connection and touch with the military forces and their connected charities. A reminder of what we lost this month.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

29/06/2020

ALEXANDRA PALACE,

CENTRAL HALL

Published by

A. GAUBERT

125, STROUD GREEN ROAD

My interest in the Alexandra Palace comes from its connection with the early story of television here in the UK. The early BBC studios were built inside the palace and the early transmissions were sent out from here. Therefore, I collect postcards depicting aspects of the palace when I come across them, and when they are reasonably priced.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

29/06/2020

GRAVE OF BUFFALO BILL

ON LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, COLORADO

Published by

SANBORN SOUVENIR CO., DENVER, COLO(rado)

Ref: 362

This was a recent acquisition which I could not resist. Two years I ago I visited this very grave. I have always been fascinated in early American history, especially what they call the ‘Wild West’. Buffalo Bill is probably one of the best-known characters from this period. The visit to his grave was not on the agenda for the days trip we were on, it was thrown in as a last minute extra and I was delighted that we got to visit here.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

29/06/2020

KING’S PARADE

CAMBRIDGE.

By

SONIA VILLIERS

Published by

SONIA VILLIERS

When travel opens-up again, I will pay another visit to Cambridge and I will again be seeking out unusual local postcard issues like this one here and the one depicted below. These type of local interest postcards tend to only come my way when friends and family visit somewhere or if I visit somewhere. I especially like local art cards when they depict a scene which I know well or can see when I visit. These two images capture the areas in question extremely well.    

BICYCLE BASKETS

CAMBRIDGE

By

SONIA VILLIERS

Published by

SONIA VILLIERS

28/06/2020

JAPAN

TOKYO 2020

OLYMPIC GAMES STADIUM

YEAR OF THE RAT POSTAL STATIONERY POST CARD

Official Japanese Postal Stationery Post Card

It has been suggested by some collectors that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games themed postcards will be quite collectible in the future. I certainly think they will be interesting.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

This has a 2020 Year of the Rat pre-printed postal stamp image top left and the logos for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, logo’s which has been said will be changed for the actual games to be held next year. Will new logos also add a further collectability to postcards like this I wonder.

28/06/2020

BUTLIN’S CLACTON

STAGE COACH CRAZY HORSE BAR

This is a real Butlin’s photograph

Published by

Butlin’s

Ref: C 23

I never visited Butlin’s at Clacton, probably because it was just too close to my hometown being in the same county, and we liked to travel a bit further for family holidays when I was young. This does not mean that I avoid Clacton Butlin’s cards like this one, quite the opposite in fact, especially really interesting ones like this one.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

This postcard was sent by someone who was enjoying a stay at the Clacton Butlins camp in June 1966, as shown by the cancellation.

27/06/2020

HAVE TAKEN THE FAMILY TO BLACKGANG CHINE

By

RUPERT BESLEY

Published by

J. ARTHUR DIXON POSTCARDS

(JOHN HINDE (U.K.) LTD

Ref: PHU 25659

I have collected Besley cartoon postcards for many years and have a substantial collection which includes reverse layout varieties and reference numbers. What I have always liked about his output is that it contains designs exclusive to small locations, which often meant that you needed to travel around, or check many dealers stocks, to build up a good collection. This card here is a good example as Blackgang Chine is located on the Isle of Wight.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

27/06/2020

UK BY NIGHT

LOCKDOWN 2020

Published by

CAVALIER POSTCARDS

Another one for my Covid-19 themed collection, and another card on the theme published by this excellent modern publisher. I did like the fact that the design uses the word ‘Lockdown’, which is clearly a very topical word, but one I have only seen on three other designs, which are all photographic.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

26/06/2020

“NAH THEN, STOP NUDGIN!”

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Published by

H. B., LTD

Ref: No. 4042

Obviously, it was the overprinted location applied to the front of this design which appealed to me because Southend-on-Sea is my hometown. Regardless of my interest being in the named location this is still a nice little image.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

26/06/2020

I SURVIVED

COVID-19

Unnamed Publisher

(But published by ‘GAILENA/GAILENASHOP’, BERNALILLO)

It might be a bit early for this design for some people around the world, sadly, but it is a topical issue. This one was (and still is) being sold on eBay at £1.85 (with £1.37 for postage from the United States). I do not think many of these will be produced and it is ‘definitely’ one for future collectors to hunt down.

26/06/2020

“LOST SOMETHING?”

“YES, I’M LOOKING FOR A

LITTLE DOG WITH ONE EYE.”

“WELL, WOULD’NT IT BE EASIER

WITH BOTH EYES?”

By

CHERRY GAY

Published by

KARDONIA LTD. LONDON

Ref: CHERRY GAY SERIES

P/L. A/12

I think that we can all agree that children themed designs have always been incredibly popular. Some artists have been more popular with their children drawings than others. I had not heard of Cherry Gay until coming across this card, which did appeal

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

25/06/2020

UNITED STATES CAPITOL

Photo by

COL. M. W. ARPS

Printed by

MIRRO-KROME

By

H. S. CROCKER CO., INC

Published by

SILBERNE SOUVENIR SALES, INC.,

WASHINGTON, D.C.

An older US postcard which was posted this year. This is a nice postcard and one which fits nicely into my collection, although it is not a specifically a valuable card, although I did find something interesting on the reverse side of this one.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

This has some nice stamps on this side, but it is the ‘COVID-19 – QUEDA’T A CASA’ [Stay at Home] label which appeals most. This seems to have been applied to all mail items addressed to Andorra and is mentioned as being exclusively attached to Andorra mail items. This will fit nicely into my Covid-19 collection.

24/06/2020

1er FESTIVAL DE LA CARTE POSTALE

(1^ST Postcard Festival)

VALENCE

25-26 SEPTEMBER 1981

Published by

SIPHULA (PARIS)

Valence is in France and France was the centre of the modern postcard world in the 1980’s, and on top of this old postcards were also very much collected. This event was designed to give a further boost to a hobby that was rapidly gaining in popularity

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

This copy of the event postcard was given out as an INVITATION card to be used to attend the event (which may have had a charge on the door which this postcard by-passed (but that is not confirmed)

23/06/2020

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Published by

EMPIRE: THE STORE, 5^TH AVENUE

Ref: 80525

A lovely modern deckle-edged postcard which was not on sale when I visited the Empire State Building shop back in February of this year (and that seems so long ago now!). I had to buy this one when I saw it on eBay. Strangely, and probably a bonus, a think this was much cheaper on eBay that it would have been if still on sale at the original source!

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

Another great reverse side layout, something which is a common theme on modern American postcards. I think it makes them stand out more.

23/06/2020

PHILATELY WILL GET YOU…

P.T.O…

NO WHERE!

Published by

H. B. LTD

Ref: J100  27

What are they trying to say? Surely a stamp collector is a real find for any attractive young woman…, OK, maybe not… This is a great comedic card.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

The sender of this ‘particular’ card used it to get a first day of issue dated cancellation for the four British bird stamps issued on the 8^th August 1966. This is unusual but not particularly valuable, sadly, but I think it is still interesting

22/06/2020

FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM YEOVILTON

THE EVOLUTION OF AVIATION

BRISTOL SCOUT D (Replica)

BAC CONCORDE 002 G-BSST

Photograph by

NIGEL CHEFFERS-HEARD

2006

Published by the

FLEET AIR MUSEUM

This is the free postcard which came with the latest issue of the Concorde Study Circle newsletter. This is one of the bonuses of being a member of such a society or group.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

CONCORDE STICKER

We also received this great sticker free as well. Members collect all things related to Concorde and we normally receive one or two free related items with each issue of the newsletter.

22/06/2020

UNTITLED

By

KASTANJE

Published by

MICHELLE DUJARDIN – ORANGE LICENSING BV

NEDERLANDSE BOMEN

I ordered a stamp off eBay recently and when it arrived this postcard was used by the sender as a protection card inside the envelope, so technically this was a free postcard. It is a beautiful, simple painting of a tree, but it appealed (the ‘free’ bit did help)

22/06/2020

ANYTHING YOU SAY WILL BE TAKEN DOWN!

KNICKERS!

By

A. TAYLOR

Published by

BAMFORTH & CO., LTD

Holmfirth, Yorkshire

Ref: “COMIC” Series No. 18

One of the classics – what more is there to say?

22/06/2020

BUTLIN’S MINEHEAD

PUFFING BILLY

Published by

HARVEY BARTON (Bristol, England)

Ref: 2280

69613-B

Minehead was the Butlin’s camp that me and my brother went to with our parents when we were kids. I have vague memories of this train and waiting for it as it was not a common ride and either took ages to make its way around the camp or/and only ran for brief periods of the day (but I may be mistaken, I was just a kid after all). This is a great image of the train and a very collectible Butlin’s postcard.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD