31/12/2021

FOR AULD LANG SYNE

Unknown Golden Age Publisher

Posted 1913

As I type this it is already 2022 in New Zealand and some other parts of the world on the opposite side of the planet to me (I still have over 9 hours to go). For them it is already New Year’s Day, but for me today is still New Year’s Eve. Here in the UK there is probably no other song more linked to New Year’s Eve than ‘Auld Lang Syne’ which is sung by many just after the new year commences, so, just after midnight. Arms and hands are linked as people form a circle and sing this well known song. I have no doubt many will do so tonight despite the Governments and medical experts advise to restrict contact during this still ongoing pandemic and the omnicron variant. This postcard was posted in 1913 (although in May, so not linked to New Year re its posting).

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

30/12/2021

NOVELTY STITCHED SPANISH DRESS POSTCARD

Published by

VICENTE MARTINEZ-MADRID

This lovely novelty card is of a type which was extremely popular with tourists visiting Spain during the 1950’s through to the 1990’s and copies of this type of card can still be found to this day (although currently tourists are the scarce commodity because of the pandemic!) Although a Spanish postcard, this ‘particular’ copy was posted from Cyprus in what I believe was 1956 (although 1955 is also a possibility – the second digit of the year part is not clear enough to be precise, although I think 1956 is more probable). I have a small collection of these stunning cards and interest in them from collector’s waxes and wanes as years pass, which has helped keep the value of these relatively low. Earlier copies like this one can still be picked up for £5 or less, slighter later ones for around £2 which are cheap for what is a stunning postcard theme.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

A nice usage from Cyprus with two lovely King George VI postage stamps. Sent via airmail to the UK.  

29/12/2021

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO

Hand Made Postcard

Postcard version of the 2021 folded card

sent to members of Dawnswyr Glancleddau

and featuring the woven Welsh flannel

used for their skirts & jackets

Produced by

David & Pat Rye

(Cerdyn Post)

Used on the front with the 1^st Class 2021 Christmas Stamp cancelled 1^st December 2021 (Milford Haven, home of David & Pat Rye)

The Christmas holiday period kind of finished yesterday, but before I move on to other themes, I wanted to depict the special hand made postcard which I received from David Rye, who makes his own special Christmas postcards every year. This one, as mentioned above, is made of the material of the skirt and jacket of the named Welsh folk dance group, which is a nice touch.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE HAND MADE POSTCARD

25/12/2021

FROHE WEIHNACHTEN

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Published by

BEGRO

Ref: 4477

This Christmas greetings postcard was posted from Bremen in Germany to London here in the UK. The two German stamps are cancelled 20^th December 1938. In less than a year, in fact less than nine months, the two countries concerned were at war. Things would change very soon after this card was sent, and I find myself wondering if either the sender or receiver were aware of the troubles brewing and the impending hostilities. The Anschluss, the annexation of Austria, had occurred earlier that year (March 1938) and many politicians, and others, could predict trouble on the horizon, although I admit that there were also many backing the Germans and perhaps hoping and even believing that there would be some sort of pact. History has shown us that war was perhaps inevitable. This postcard was posted in an historically interesting period just prior to WWII and it is this which fascinates me about collecting old postcards, the placement of them within our world history.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

25/12/2021

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

MERRY CHRISTMAS

(Garfield the Cat)

By

Jim Davis

Published by

ARGUS COMMUNICATIONS (Harlow, Essex)

Ref: P3070

24/12/2021

TO GREET YOU WITH

HEARTY XMAS WISHES

FROM…

Unknown Publisher

Posted 1905

A nice Christmas wishes postcard from the first decade of the 20^th Century. The cancellation on the reverse side looks like 1905 and is dated 24^th December, a nice Christmas Eve posting. This has quite a glamourous image and it is quite indicative of the artwork for the period.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

23/12/2021

THANK YOU

If you have already mailed your Christmas donation

for the Boys Town Seals… If not-won’t you please?

With sincere wishes for a most happy Holiday Season…

Father Wegner

BOYS TOWN, NEBRASKA

Published for the

FATHER FLANAGAN’S BOYS’ HOME

BOYS TOWN, NEBRASKA

U.S. Postage-Paid Charity Donation request postal stationery post card

When I saw this American postal stationery post card on eBay several years ago, I knew immediately that I wanted it. Fortunately, I won the auction. I am not an expert on American postcards (although my knowledge is not bad) and these postage-paid marks are not always cancelled, and did (and do) not require cancellation, which is why this has a printed postmark/cancellation as part of its design (this is not a real cancel), so all this makes it difficult to date. Looking at it I am going to guess this is a 1950’s issue, but I will admit I am not positive here, but I have done some internet research and came up with the fascinating story of Father Flanagan and his ‘Boys Town’ and wonder how I had not heard of this before, and the information gained helps with the dating possibilities. Also, finding out back stories to cards is one of the joys of postcard research.  

The ‘Boy’s Home’ mentioned here was first opened by Father Flanagan in 1917 but moved to the location connected with this card in 1922, a farm, but this card is from a much later period. Father Flanagan passed away in May 1948 (and subsequently appeared on a US Postage Stamp in 1986 – he was in Berlin when he died) so this card probably post-dates this 1940’s period. Father Wegner, mentioned on the card, became the director of the Boys Town upon the death of Father Flanagan, who was his friend. Father Wegner retired in 1973, so the card definitely comes from sometime between these two dates, 1948 – 1973, but because of its smaller ‘golden age’ size and the matt printing style I am still going with the very late post early-1948 to late 1950’s.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD (Postal Stationery Post Card)

21/12/2021

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

“WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY…”

Published by

PYRAMID INTERNATIONAL (THE ART GROUP)

Ref: PC52207 Spider-Man (Quote)

As mentioned yesterday, I saw the new Spider-Man film last night. What did I think? Well, in my mind it is the best Spider-Man film ever. I am aware that the film has been receiving very good reviews and I think it deserves all of them. I won’t give away any spoilers (because I hate it when people do that and fortunately, I had seen none before seeing the film and my viewing was enhanced because of this). If you are in any way a Marvel or/and a Spider-Man fan then this is a film you need to see in the cinema…so, go and see it.

20/12/2021

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN

SPIDER-MAN SPECIAL COLLECTION

D-PROMPT

(D-PROMPT may be the publisher of this card as well)

Judging from the reverse side text this card is from Thailand or somewhere within this sphere.

Tonight, I am going to my local cinema to see ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, the latest Spider-Man film and the current Marvel release (in collaboration with Columbia Pictures and SONY). So, I think a Spider-Man themed postcard is called for as one of tonight’s depictions here on the webpage. I will give you my opinion on the film tomorrow.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

20/12/2021

GALLOPING GOOSE MOTOR CARS BUILT AND USED

DURING 1931 – 1951 RAN ON NARROW GAUGE

RIO GRANDE SOUTHERN RAILROAD LINES

Artwork By

RICK GEARY

“May the spirit of Holiday Season

Bring you Joy & Happiness

Through out the

New Year”

Published by

RICHARD & JULIA RUTH

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

17/12/2021

WITH THE SEASON’S GREETINGS

THE GARDENS AND HEAD GARDENER’S HOUSE, SANDRINGHAM

Published by

JARROLDS SERIES

Ref: No. 1543

Postmarked 1905

This is a postcard which has had Christmas additional text added to make the original card more saleable during the Christmas holiday period. This makes it especially strange that this particular copy of this postcard was posted in July of 1905, pretty much as far away from Christmas as it was possible to post it – the 26^th July!

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

17/12/2021

COME FISHING AT…

(CANCELLED – NO FISHING)

The Lakeside Pavilion, Nottingham University

27^th March 1993

for a good catch

at the

ALL MODERNS POSTCARD FAIR

Artwork by

TOM SWEENEY

Published by

PH TOPICS

Ref: No. 158

Limited Edition of 550

This lovely postcard, with artwork by the late Tom Sweeney, was produced for the 1993 ALL MODERNS POSTCARD FAIR, and event which was sadly cancelled, ending a short run of ‘Modern’ only postcard fairs held at this location. I had planned to attend this as I had visited all the previous all modern fairs held here (which were all brilliant). This cancellation was of course nothing to do with any global pandemic, certainly not back in 1993! But there have been many postcard fairs cancelled over the last two years, so I have my fingers crossed that tomorrows Shoreham fair goes ahead (I have received a confirmation email during the week saying it is still on). We will be attending as dealers, so I also hope that the collectors turn up as well!

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

The red ‘CANCELLED – NO FISHING’ was added later after the event was cancelled. Some copies of this card can be found without this additional red text applied here on the reverse side.

15/12/2021

SO THIS’LL BE

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

I PRESUME

By

BERKIN (or possibly BESKIN)

and Published by either

BERKIN (or possibly BESKIN)

Ref: 45

A Christmas postcard with a difference. This is a very clever idea based around the facial monoliths on Easter Island and the actual island of Christmas Island, which does not have facial monoliths, but if it did it would be funny if they looked like this. A great cartoon postcard.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

Definitely a Christmas theme going on here.

14/12/2021

ONTARIO

Map Postcard

‘GREETRINGS FROM ONTARIO, CANADA’

Published by

ROYAL SPECIALTY SALES

Printed in Canada

Ref: L-6670-E

(Posted to the UK in 1993)

I have noticed over the past couple of years that there has been a resurgence in interest in map postcards, especially interesting foreign ones. Interest in Map postcards had dropped after the theme reached its peak in the mid to late 1990’s. Then interest ‘definitely’ seemed to drop right off, which I never really understood as I think map postcards are delightful. Thankfully, they seem to be back on the rise. I think some of these are truly beautiful cards.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

13/12/2021

Untitled

GARFIELD & ODIE

By

JIM DAVIS

Published by

ARGUS COMMUNICATIONS

(Printed in U.S.A.)

Ref: P3050

I have an extensive collection of Garfield the cat postcards and this is because there were so many published in the 1980’s (and beyond – although in the 1980’s they were at their height). It seems quite clear that this design is a Christmas one, so it seems an appropriate one for displaying today in the run up to the big day.

13/12/2021

NO REGRETS OVER

THE POLL TAX,

SAYS THATCHER

Tilted

“NO REGRETS”

By

A. M. PARKIN (1990)

Published by

A. M. PARKIN

BOTH VERSIONS

This is one of the anti-Poll Tax postcard designs which came out in protest against the Poll Tax (a campaign which sort of worked as the Poll Tax did go away, after a while). As you can see here there were two versions released, both published by A. M. Parkin and drawn in his distinctive style. Although I do have a ‘Poll Tax’ related collection, these two cards could easily also fit into my Margaret Thatcher collection.

REVERSE SIDE OF POSTCARD DEPICTED ON THE LEFT SIDE ABOVE

(The one with all the writing within the white lower box)

Note the straight line down the centre. There is no vertical central text information on this version of the postcard whereas there is text on the other version.

REVERSE SIDE OF POSTCARD DEPICTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE ABOVE

(The one with the top of the writing within the bottom of the image)

SPECIAL SIGNED EDITION OF 250

With additional Poll Tax handwritten text and red ink blot

My copy is number 28 of 250 hand numbered copies

This version can be found mint unsigned, but there are 250 of this unusual, signed version with additional handwritten text. As far as I have seen these signed versions are all on the ‘text over bottom of image’ version (but this is not confirmed, although I have only seen this on these versions). All the cards with the text riding up into the image area have this reverse printing version with the line of text running vertically down the centre. This text relates to the company who printed these cards for Parkin, Thought Factory, located in Leicester.

12/12/2021

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Novelty Wooden Postcard

Published by

THE WOODEN POSTCARD COMPANY

(Image from the GALLERY MEDICI)

So, was there a Christmas party at No 10 Downing Street last year? It has not been a good week for the government and to be fair I think they deserve all the complaints and attention this (alleged) party has brought down on them. A ‘Cheese & Wine evening’? Really? Did they really think they could do this whilst people were stopped from meeting their family members who were dying in hospital or who were simply in a care home! I have mentioned before that I try to avoid coming down on any ‘particular’ political position, but these ‘Christmas Party’ news reports have annoyed me, as you may have surmised from my unusual rant. Anyway, I hope for everyone else out there the lead up to Christmas runs smoothly (I am typing this before hearing what the Prime Minister has to say in his announcement which is due shortly – I bet he does not have the cheek to cancel anyone’s Christmas Party this year)

12/12/2021

I’M NOT DOING ANY

WORK

AT

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Published by

HARVEY BARTON (VIEWCARD)

Ref: K6093

As this is where I live, I don’t think this can truly apply to me, but this type of ‘I’m not doing any work’ postcard design was a popular style. I think people liked to rub in the fact that they were on a holiday by letting their friends and family know they were not working that week! This one has now ended up in my ‘Local’ themed collection although no one actually sent this one, so it is mint copy.

07/12/2021

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Published by

Paperchase

A paperchase Christmas postcard from a previous year. Personally, I always thought this one looked a bit like a design either from or for an Xmas jumper, you know the ones, full of pattern and a piece of clothing wholly unsuitable to wear at any other time of the year (and probably at Xmas as well, he says, laughing).

06/12/2021

A MERRY CHRISTMAS

A ‘REAL FEATHERS’ NOVELTY POSTCARD

Ref: B. K. W. I. 827-4

No daily Xmas postcard daily countdown this year, but I will be showing some Christmas themed postcards as we travel towards Christmas Day. This lovely card, with its real feathers attached to resemble an eagle, is a cracker from the early years of the last century. It was ‘actually’ posted on December the 24^th, Christmas Eve, in 190(something (?) – the last digit cannot be made out, but as this has a divided back, I am guessing it is from the first few years of the century as the divided back started coming into use in 1902 in the UK, although the ‘undivided back’ continued on in the rest of the world for a few years more). I also like the address written on this card:

MRS BRISTOL

MODEL COTTAGE

FARNBOROUGH

HANTS

I can’t help but notice that there is no street or avenue included here! Was ‘Model Cottage’ well known in Farnborough?    

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

03/12/2021

PARSENN

STIEBENDE ABFAHRT

2035 FARBENPHOTO OTTO FURTER,

DAVOS-PLATZ

A couple of nights ago they were suggesting that it might snow here (which it hardly ever does these days), but nothing came down (as I expected). I doubt anyone will be skiing here in Southend on Sea like these people here are on this postcard posted from Switzerland in 1962.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

01/12/2021

“DC COLLECTION”

ROYAL MAIL PHQ STAMP CARD SET

PHQ Set 492

(PHQ 492 (1) to PHQ 492 (19)

(postcard’s that reproduce the Royal Mail’s stamp releases)

Published by

ROYAL MAIL

1^ST CLASS – BATMAN

1^ST CLASS – BATWOMAN

1^ST CLASS – ROBIN

1^ST CLASS – BATGIRL

1^ST CLASS – ALFRED (The Butler to Bruce Wayne, otherwise known as Batman)

1^ST CLASS – NIGHTWING (This is the character that Robin evolves into)

1^ST CLASS – THE JOKER

1^ST CLASS – HARLEY QUINN

1^ST CLASS – THE PENGUIN

1^ST CLASS – POISON IVY

1^ST CLASS – CATWOMAN

1^ST CLASS – THE RIDDLER

1^ST CLASS (FROM STAMP SHEET) – BATMAN

1^ST CLASS (FROM STAMP SHEET) – GREEN LANTERN AND THE FLASH

1^ST CLASS (FROM STAMP SHEET) – WONDER WOMAN

1^ST CLASS (FROM STAMP SHEET) – SUPERMAN

1^ST CLASS (FROM STAMP SHEET) – CYBORG AND AQUAMAN

1^ST CLASS (FROM STAMP SHEET) – SUPERGIRL AND SHAZAM!

FULL MINIATURE SHEET IMAG (Containing the six stamps listed above)

Now, I have stopped collecting these PHQ Cards because the cost of continuing with them was becoming excessive, mainly because I was buying them used first day of issue with the depicted stamps, probably the most expensive way to buy them. But, because I love superhero themed postcards, I had to include this set in my general TV & Superhero collection, but I bought a mint set this time (I actually, picked this up at STAMPEX back in late September).

The images are by comic book artist Jim Cheung which is why the depicted characters are sometimes different to how many people might expect from watching the feature films and TV series’, so a female Green Lantern comes as a surprise!

I really liked these, and I think they will be very popular with all those who like me love their superhero cards.

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01/12/2021

NEW IN JULY 86,

34782 IS THE FIRST BEDFORD RASCAL MAILVAN

FOR THE STATES OF GUERNSEY POST OFFICE

Published by

 POST OFFICE VEHICLE CLUB (SOMERSET)

Printed by

IMAGE MACHINE (Sheffield)

I am always fascinated by postcards produced by specialist interest clubs, as often they depict items which have not previously appeared on postcards. I have a collection of postcards depicting post office vehicles from around the world and this is the only one I have seen depicting this 1986 Guernsey Post official vehicle. It is a simple photograph, but it is a great one.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

30/11/2021

CERCLE FRANCAIS DES COLLECTIONNEURS DE CARTES POSTALES

French Circle of postcard collectors

Artwork By

ANNE C. DELFAUT

Official ‘Circle’ postcard

Having recently been in France, my first trip abroad in 21 odd months, I thought a French postcard related postcard would be an appropriate posting. This nice attractive postcard is I believe from either the late 1980’s or possibly the 1990’s. I have had it in my collection for some time. It harks back to a period when postcards were far more popular and when clubs and circles were far more prominent and in time when they were releasing postcards regularly and at a time when the theme of ‘Postcards’ was, in itself, a collectible topic. Sadly, that was some years ago now, although I still like this type of card.

28/11/2021

HARI POS

SEDUNIA 2021

MALAYSIA 2021 WORLD POST DAY

MALAYSIA 2021 MAXI-CARD

Official Maxi-Card

This is a very recent acquisition and an addition of sorts to my Covid-19 collection because one of the stamps (the one on the right side) is shown wearing a face mask, he also appears as part of the artwork on the postcard as well. The stamps, and this maxi-card were released on the 9^th October 2021 and the two stamps have been cancelled with a special first day of issue cancellation thus dated.

REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARD

I like the fact that the reverse side of these Malaysian postcards are vertical in the format, which is not unusual for Asian countries but very unusual in Europe and the western countries. There is nice simple artwork here of a boy posting a letter in a post box.

FIRST DAY COVER

The artwork of the boy posting a letter also appears, in full colour, on this first day cover which I have also added to my Covid collection (it sits nicely with the maxi-card above). This is clearly not a postcard, but it is delightful and adds to a combined collection.

25/11/2021

COP 26 - GLASGOW

Postcard collection published by the

CALEDONIAN PHILATELIC SOCIETY, GLASGOW

Artwork by

ANDREW BLACK (A member of the society)

POSTCARDS:

A DAY TRIP TO THE OLD TOLBOOTH 2021

Untitled – LOGO ON ENVELOPE

THE OLD FISH MARKET 2021

2021 THE WATERBUS ARRIVING AT ‘THE CLUTHA’

These postcards were produced in support of COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference SEC, Glasgow 1 – 12^th November 2021. For awhile this climate conference overtook Covid in the daily news reports so it was great to be sent some postcards which relate to this topical event (especially as events are not often celebrated by the release of related postcards in these current times). I depict all four of the postcards here.

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STANDARD REVERSE SIDE OF ABOVE POSTCARDS