04/10/2020
“ROMAN BRITAIN”
ROYAL MAIL PHQ STAMP CARD SET
PHQ Set 472
(postcards that reproduce the Royal Mail’s stamp releases)
Stamps issued – 18TH June 2020
(As always, I have my copies used with the appropriate stamp applied to the front of the card and cancelled first day of issue with a special hand stamp)
Published by
ROYAL MAIL
ROMAN BRITAIN
DOVER LIGHTHOUSE
2ND CLASS STAMP
Published by
Royal mail
Ref: PHQ 471 (1)
This is not Royal Mail’s first set based on our Roman history as there was a four-stamp issue released in 1993, which can also be found on PHQ cards. This one shown here though is more eclectic in its images.
04/10/2020
“CORONATION STREET”
ROYAL MAIL PHQ STAMP CARD SET
PHQ Set 471
(postcards that reproduce the Royal Mail’s stamp releases)
Stamps issued – 28TH May 2020
(As always, I have my copies used with the appropriate stamp applied to the front of the card and cancelled first day of issue with a special hand stamp)
Published by
ROYAL MAIL
CORONATION STREET
“THAT WOMAN’S TONGUE. IF IT WAS A BIT LONGER SHE COULD SHAVE WITH IT”
Characters depicted:
ENA SHARPLES and ELSIE TANNER
2nd CLASS STAMP
Published by
Royal mail
Ref: PHQ 471 (1)
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of probably the UK’s most famous television soap series royal mail issued this set of stamps depicting characters from throughout the years of Coronation Street.
CORONATION STREET
“I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT I’D BE THE PERSON THAT YOU’D CHEAT WITH, NOT ON!”
Characters depicted:
TRACY and STEVE McDONALD
£1.62 STAMP
Published by
Royal mail
Ref: PHQ 471 (8)
My only complaint about this series is that because of the number of stamps issued some characters, quite a lot actually, had to be omitted, but there are some characters that I was genuinely surprised were missing, like Gail Platt, Sally Webster, Audrey Roberts, Alf Roberts (now this would have been a good stamp combo),Kevin Webster (although the actor here has had some issues in real life so that may be why here) and perhaps the strangest omission of all, Mike Baldwin which really surprised me considering what a major character this was.
CORONATION STREET
BET
Barmaid at the
ROVERS RETURN INN
SINGLE STAMP FROM 4 STAMP MINIATURE SHEET
1ST CLASS STAMP
Published by
Royal mail
Ref: PHQ 471 (9)
Bet Lynch was probably the best known of the characters shown working behind the famous counter of the Rovers Return. Surprisingly, as fans will notice, Betty Williams is missing from this selection, another surprise to me.
02/10/2020
FACTORY OWNER DAY OF THE DEAD FIGURINE
1980’S
Pablo Morales,
workshop of
Linares family,
Mexico City, Mexico
Published by
THE BRITISH MUSEUM (London)
Ref: E14510
Like many people I find the Mexican traditional festival of the Day of the Dead fascinating. I am particularly taken by the painted skulls which are connected to this annual event, I even have one looking at me right now from my bookshelf. So, you can see why I was taken with this unusual postcard depicting one of the many items held by the British Museum. A great, and weird looking item which has been nicely photographed here on a black background (which seems appropriate somehow)
01/10/2020
CENSORED
New additions under this sub-heading on the webpage:
“THE NAKED FORM IN ART”
A SELECTION OF 34 NUDE ART IMAGES REPRESENTED ON POSTCARDS
Before anyone states the obvious, that most of these old depicted paintings could probably easily appear on the main webpage without causing offence, let me explain that I made a decision to place all nude images, art, photographic, realistic or so artistic as to probably not appear real at all, here under the Censored section. This is not because I am prudish (far from it as obviously all the cards appearing under the Censored tabs are cards from my collection), but because this is an open to all webpage and I am in a much safer place sticking to this rule.
Today is the 150th anniversary of the first British postcard, and although that one was not a pictorial postcard (see posting a little below) it did lead into the picture postcard phenomenon.
Which subject or theme has most been portrayed on postcards? I believe it is ART, and what art subject appears, more often than others? The nude form. So, what better way to also celebrate todays anniversary than by portraying a small gallery of 34 artist representations of the naked human, with entries by: AUGUSTE RENOIR, SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS, TITIAN, JOAN MIRO, DIEGO VELASQUEZ, GEORGES SEURAT, TOULOUSE-LAUTREC, HENRI MATISSE, GUSTAV KLIMT, SALVADOR DALI, MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI, ALBRECHT DURER, AMEDEO MODIGLIANI and LUCAS CRANACH THE ELDER (1472 – 1553) amongst others, So you can see that the selection I have made is a very eclectic one – to see these cards click on the CENSORED tab then the ‘Censored 4’ sub-tab.
01/10/2020
WORLD POSTCARD DAY
2020 POSTCROSSING WORLD POSTCARD DAY POSTCARD
Design by
Leandro Ferreira (Portugal)
Winner of the Finepaper World Postcard Day Contest for Design and Graphic Arts Students
Published and Printed by
FINEPAPER
For distribution as part of the WORLD POSTCARD DAY organised by
POSTCROSSING
The Postcrossing organisation, who run the postcard exchanging website, have designated today as being ‘World Postcard Day’ and have been organising the sale of this winning postcard design for people to send out in the lead up to today and on today. My good friend Franck Roche very kindly sent me a copy all the way from America. I have been saving it up for one of todays postings as it is clearly designed to be seen today of all days.
01/10/2020
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST
BRITISH POSTCARD
THE QUEEN VICTORIA HALF PENNY POSTAL STATIONERY POST CARD
First issued on the
1st October 1870
Today is a special day amongst postcard collectors, although not in relation to picture postcards, but the initial postal stationery postcards. One hundred and fifty years ago Great Britain became the second country (alongside Switzerland who also issued a postal stationery postcard on this date) to issue a post card.
QUEEN VICTORIA HALF PENNY POSTAL STATIONERY POST CARD
Official Postal Stationery Item
Used
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE
1ST OCTOBER 1870
LONDON E. C. (B) CANCELLATION
This is one of the gems of my collection. First day used copies of this postal stationery post card can be quite expensive so I was lucky to pick up a copy some years back. As a collector of these postal stationery postcards I had to try and get this one when I saw it in an auction catalogue. It takes pride of place in my collection and was an obvious choice for one of today’s postings.
30/09/2020
YOU KNOW WHAT, I’M HAPPY
Scene from the Droopy cartoon:
“THE SHOOTING OF DAN Mc GOO”
1947
Cartoon by
TEX AVERY
Published by
DEMONS & MERVEILLES
Ref: T 20
You can find just about every well-known animated cartoon character on postcard, but some appear far less often than others. Droopy is just such a character. I remember watching Droopy cartoons when I was young, but I have not seen one on television, or elsewhere for many, many years. I suspect my own children, now all in their 30’s would be hard put to name him if I showed any of them a picture of Droopy. So, when I see any postcards like this, I snap them up. Lack of knowledge around Droopy is probably no surprise as the original main cartoons were released between 1943, when Tex Avery first directed a Droopy cartoon, until 1958, although these were often shown on television right up until the early 1980’s.
29/09/2020
H.M.S. SUSSEX
Published by
J. SALMON LTD., SEVENOAKS
Ref: 4602
Salmon issued some great artwork postcards depicting trains, aeroplanes and shipping. Many of the shipping and aeroplane ones were originally released during world war II and remained in circulation for many years after the end of the war. On the reverse side of the war cards you can find printed quotes from the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
28/09/2020
WALT DISNEY WORLD
3D POSTCARD
Published and sold exclusively by
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Looking at my scan of this postcard might give you a headache as the scanner really failed to capture this postcards excellent image, but then it is a 3D postcard and these are always notoriously difficult to capture in a flat image. I apologise for this, but I still wanted to bring this postcard to your attention as I picked it up on my last visit to Walt Disney World in Florida last year, late last year actually as we went in early December. I was disappointed with how few postcards were available, but this one was probably the best of the small bunch.
28/09/2020
PRAGUE IN BLACK AND WHITE (Series – Untitled Card)
Photography by
JAROSLAV TRNOVSKY
Published by
TRNOVSKY
Ref: No. 73
When I was in Prague last year, I found a complete spinner of these ‘Prague in Black and White’ series postcards in a shop selling pieces of art. All the postcards in the series depicted artistically styled, cleverly positioned and captured, photographs of this fabulous city, but it was this image of crisscrossing railway tracks which really caught my eye. It ended up being the only one I bought.
28/09/2020
IN MEMORIAM
“OUR GRACIOUS KING”
HIS MAJESTY
KING GEORGE V
BORN 3RD JUNE 1865
DIED 20TH JANY [January] 1936
Published by
VALENTINE’S
Ref: 7202
It has been many years, decades in fact, since we last had the death of a monarch and fingers crossed that it will be awhile still until we next have one, but when it happens I have no doubt that when the Queen does pass away there will be ‘In Memoriam’ postcards released, in forms that will be not unlike this one here from early 1936 (which of course ended up being the year of the three kings, a subject which was also the subject of postcard depiction). It is true to say that since the birth of picture postcards the birth, marriage and death of every member of the main royal family has been the subject of postcard production. I suspect that will not change for a while yet.
27/09/2020
D23
OFFICIAL DISNEY FAN CLUB
2020 PACK POSTCARD SET
“FANTASTIC WORLDS”
Jo is a member of D23, which is the official fan club for those interested in the world of ‘Disney’. Members receive a number of well-illustrated magazines (more soft back books really) throughout the year. Upon renewal each year (or upon initial membership) members receive a special year pack of exclusive souvenirs, which change every year but always includes a special selection of pins (which Jo collects). The 2020 pack included a set of exclusive postcards, which Jo has very kindly allowed me to keep these. So, here are this year’s postcards (they do not do postcards every year as there were none included in last year’s package).
POSTCARD PACKAGE
WITH THE PAPER STRIP WHICH COMES AROUND THEM
HOLDING THE CARDS TOGETHER
BESPIN: STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, 1980
‘CLOUD CITY’
“FANTASTIC WORLDS”
Published by
D23 OFFICIAL DISNEY FAN CLUB
2020 PACK POSTCARD SET
And exclusive to the
2020 D23 CLUB MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE
This is possibly one of the best of the pack re collectability outside of the Disney collecting world, mainly because Star Wars is so highly collectible as a theme across the range of collectibles. I do collect Star Wars postcards so this one was a cracker.
TREASURE ISLAND, 1950
“X” MARKS THE SPOT FOR ADVENTURE!
“FANTASTIC WORLDS”
Published by
D23 OFFICIAL DISNEY FAN CLUB
2020 PACK POSTCARD SET
And exclusive to the
2020 D23 CLUB MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE
My least favourite of this set, but that does not mean that I do not like this one. It is going to fit very nicely into my Disney themed collection.
PLANET X: GROOT’S FIRST APPEARANCE, 1960
“I AM GROOT”
“FANTASTIC WORLDS”
Published by
D23 OFFICIAL DISNEY FAN CLUB
2020 PACK POSTCARD SET
And exclusive to the
2020 D23 CLUB MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE
If you are not already aware, Groot is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, a group of characters from the Marvel comic book world, although the character also appeared in two feature films following the Guardians and in the Avengers films ‘Infinity War’ and ‘Endgame’. This has the potential of being a very collectible card as a result.
PARIS: THE ARISTOCATS, 1970
WHERE EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE A CAT
“FANTASTIC WORLDS”
Published by
D23 OFFICIAL DISNEY FAN CLUB
2020 PACK POSTCARD SET
And exclusive to the
2020 D23 CLUB MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE
I remember seeing this animated film at the cinema (a cinema which has long since been demolished) and it is one of the Disney animated films which I am fond of. Surprisingly, this film does not really feature within the Walt Disney World theme park, even though Paris does form part of the world showcase in the Epcot park.
SPACE MOUNTAIN: MAGIC KINGDOM, 1975
ROCKET INTO OUTER SPACE… AND BACK!
“FANTASTIC WORLDS”
Published by
D23 OFFICIAL DISNEY FAN CLUB
2020 PACK POSTCARD SET
And exclusive to the
2020 D23 CLUB MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE
Now, in my opinion this is the best postcard of the bunch, but then I am a collector of postcards related to the Disney theme parks. This is a lovely design and one which reminds me of my many rides on this attraction.
BAIA: THE THREE CABALLEROS, 1945
FEEL THE RHYTHAM IN BEAUTIFUL BAIA
“FANTASTIC WORLDS”
Published by
D23 OFFICIAL DISNEY FAN CLUB
2020 PACK POSTCARD SET
And exclusive to the
2020 D23 CLUB MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE
The 1945 ‘The Three Caballeros’ Disney film is an unusual one, made of a selection of different animated short stories and sections of real-life film of the people and landscapes of South America. It is very dated, with some segments a bit slow, but I have always been a bit of a fan of this one. It also forms part of the Mexican pavilion in the world showcase in Epcot as all three of the Caballeros are depicted as animatronic figures in the ‘Grand Fiesta’ ride, which is based on the main theme of this film.
25/09/2020
THE MOUNTED POLICE
An Officer in the 1836 uniform of the original
Mounted Horse Patrol “Robin Redbreasts”, with his
modern Mounted Branch counterpart
(Text from reverse side of postcard)
Published by
METROPOLITAN POLICE
Printed by
J. ARTHUR DIXON
Published for the 150th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Police
(1829 – 1979)
Ref: L6/SP. 5549
A Metropolitan police officer was shot and killed today at Croydon police station. It is another example of just how dangerous a Police Officers work can potentially be. It is sad when anyone dies, especially when it is sudden and in an unexpected way, whatever that persons employment or community position, but somehow it is more impactive when that person is from a circle that you feel connected to in some way. So, I have posted this Metropolitan Police postcard in remembrance of the officer who lost his life today and in commemoration of all officers who have lost their life on duty in previous times.
24/09/2020
MICHAEL LONSDALE ….. RIP
Michael Edward Lonsdale-Crouch
24th May 1931 – 21st September 2020
A British-French actor who appeared in many films (over 180). He is best remembered for his portrayal of the villain Hugo Drax in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker, but he also appeared in The Day of the Jackal, The Remains of the Day, Caravan to Vaccares, The Holcroft Covenant, The Name of the Rose and Ronin, amongst as stated, many others.
MOONRAKER
(Film Poster)
Published by
LONDON POSTCARD COMPANY
Ref: CODE: EO 00734 (Series 2 set of 20)
Bond Classic Posters
AUTOGRAPHED ON THE FRONT
BY
ROGER MOORE
(Top)
And
BLANCHE RAVALEC
(The actress who plays the character ‘Dolly’ in the film – the female character who partners the character ‘JAWS’ in the film)
(Bottom)
24/09/2020
GENERAL MOTORS BUILDING,
CHICAGO WORLD’S FAIR
Published by
N. SHURE CO., CHICAGO. ILL
Printed in
C. T. ART-COLORTONE – By
CURT TEICH & CO., INC, CHICAGO
Ref: 3A-H659
I am a sucker for any type of airship or blimp and although I prefer cards depicting the old German zeppelin’s I will also pick up any showing the Good Year smaller airship, or blimp.
This postcard depicts the General Motors Building at the Chicago World’s Fair which ran from 1933 to 1934. I have previously depicted another card from this series which depicted the Ford Motor Company building at this same fair, so this card goes very nicely beside that one.
24/09/2020
MICKEY MOUSE
FILMOGRAPHY
Published by
LAWSON MARDON POST CARD
THE O.S.P. LINE
Ref: HSC – 614 (PC 709)
As I type this, I should have been on an aeroplane flying to Miami in Florida. If the coronavirus had not hit, I would be in my aeroplane seat watching a movie and enjoying the flight (unlike many I do enjoy the flight and consider it part of my holiday). We were to spend a couple of weeks exploring Miami before moving north to the world of the mouse, Walt Disney World. It now looks as if I will not get my Disney fix this year, the first time for many years, but as I have previously stated, I do still have my Disney postcard collection to look through. It is not the same, but better than nothing.
23/09/2020
FLORIDA
MANATEES
Published by
THE POSTCARD FACTORY
Ref: PC57-FL 098
Tonight, we should have been overnighting at the hotel next to the airport before a flight in the morning to Florida. Clearly, like everyone else who was hoping to travel on their holidays ours was cancelled. So, in commemoration of what could have been – five weeks in the US – I post this lovely postcard which depicts one of my favourite Florida creatures. I have seen these often both in captivity and in the wild, but I have also had the pleasure of swimming with them.
23/09/2020
INDIA
POSTAL STATIONERY POST CARDS
With different coloured cachets which read:
WEAR MASK
TO
AVOID RISK
Khairatabad HO – 500004
Or the location:
Hyderabad G.P.O.- 500 001
I saw these on the delcampe auction site, and I wanted to buy a selection of cards with this cachet in different colours and from different locations, the two I have seen being Khairatabad and Hyderabad. What I really wanted these for of course is my now quite large Covid-19 collection. So, I found three different on cards and a fourth on a cover, which I will show you just for a bit of completion.
This one is obviously purple and from Hyderabad.
NEW BOOK ENTRIES
I have placed some more books from my collection in the BOOK LISTING section of this webpage. This includes a book depicting images of police themed postcards and the superb two volume set titled ‘THE POSTAL CARD WORLDWIDE 1869 – 1974’ by James Peter Gough which was issued just last year.
22/09/2020
ELECTRICALLY HAULED EXPRESSES PASS NEAR
THE NEW FLY-OVER AT RUGBY
Published by
IAN ALLEN LTD
Ref: No. 20
I do like a nice artist painted train image. This one is a cracker. I found this recently in an antiques center located in York (which fits in nicely with the previous posting). I paid top end for this one, £2, but for me this was OK, as I really liked the image and I have a tendency to look for the diesel and electric train images above the far more popular steam engines. I think this is because to me these are more modern, and, also, because they often appear much less than almost any steam train has.
22/09/2020
YORKSHIRE
“Love Your Location”
By
RICHARD O’NEILL
Published by
STAR EDITIONS LTD
Ref: RNYORK181PC
So, we have a curfew coming for restaurants and pubs. We will not be able to gather in groups of more than six. Are we heading for a second coronavirus wave? I think many are starting to admit that we are in one.
When we were allowed to travel again, after the lockdown was lifted, the first place we travelled to was Yorkshire. We took our campervan and stayed on a proper site. Everyone there was social distancing properly, and it was nice just to sit outside and watch the birds flying and the beautiful sun setting. But we also visited a couple of tourist locations. Now I wear a mask, possibly because I am diabetic, but also because I think it is the right thing to do. I saw very few others wearing one, except in shops. I saw very-little proper social distancing in some places, and I was not surprised when I later heard, weeks after our return, that covid-19 numbers were rising again in the north. Whilst in York I bought this lovely postcard as a souvenir. I know cycling became far more popular as a form of exercise during the last lockdown. I may soon need to look at picking up a new cycle myself.