Trying hard to find an upbeat story to cheer you up, I’ve gone back to the tried-and-tested February formula of romance, brightening a cold February with the heat of postcard passion. For the collector, there is no shortage of material to alight on, and it’s mostly in the budget price bracket. Pride of place goes to the various designs aimed at St Valentine’s Day, which … Continue reading If Postcards Be the Food of Love, Write On…
A US postal card so rare that only four known examples have surfaced in more than a century has been uncovered in a collection inherited by non-collectors. The card, called the ‘Mitchell’ card (for the collector who discovered it) has not been seen in decades. Mitchell (1877–1960), who was one of the country’s foremost experts on postal stationery (stamped envelopes and postal cards), was also … Continue reading Postal Card Rarity Rediscovered
It’s currently impossible to ignore the concept of Europe and our departure from it politically on 31 December 2020. The idea of most of a unified continent working in harmony was never quite completed and now, thanks to Britain’s exit, may be unravelling. Relations between different countries are complicated and have led to numerous wars, so any lessening of bonds is a retrograde step. This … Continue reading An Oasis in a Troubled Europe
An exciting and very significant new find was offered by Philas Stamp Auctions in Sydney in mid-November, as lot 2208 in their auction no. 136. A set of three die proofs of the 1945 Duke and Duchess of Gloucester issue was of a type not previously seen for Australian die proofs in collector hands. They were invoiced for near $AUS8000. As the proposed stamp design … Continue reading New Find After 75 Years
The Philatelic Traders’ Society have launched the PTS Awards 2020, which will celebrate, champion and support philatelic companies. Their aim is to highlight unique entrepreneurs and businesses within the industry, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity within the hobby. More information is available on the website (thepts.net/awards). Philatelic Exporter is proud to partner the PTS in these awards to support the industry in what has … Continue reading PTS Launches Awards
We know that picture postcards covered (and in some cases still do) virtually every location, so whatever place takes a collector’s fancy, a selection of cards will be around from Golden Age vintage to the present day. I’ve got a soft spot for Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast and am always prone to pick up the odd postcard when I can. One particular viewpoint … Continue reading Way Down West
Leading German philatelist Karl Louis, one of the shareholders in the Global Philatelic Network, comprising Heinrich Köhler, Corinphila, H R Harmer and John Bull, reveals a favourite philatelic item. Some years ago, at Stampex 2012 in London, I spotted an amazing mixed-franking cover bearing three different 2d. blue stamps at one of the dealer’s booths. The cover was addressed to the Reverend W W Phelps, … Continue reading My Favourite…
Over many centuries, ships, boats and maritime vessels of all kinds have been used as a means of transport for mail along rivers, and over lakes and seas. In more recent decades, historic ships and boats used for mail transportation have repeatedly been featured on stamps, sheetlets and booklets. An important number originate from British territories, the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey or the … Continue reading Over the Sea – Ship and Maritime Mail
‘The Stamp House’ was a well-known building (a pub actually) in North Bersted, near Bognor. The ‘Rising Sun’ pub’s owner, Richard Sharpe, collected postage stamps, and this was to form the basis of his future fame. As the years progressed, his stamp collection grew, and he began decorating a few picture frames with his spare stamps. Then, in 1882, a customer bet Mr Sharpe he … Continue reading ‘The Stamp House’
If any style of picture postcards epitomised their worldwide appeal and transmission, it was those of ocean liners. Catering for rich travellers, hopeful emigrants and globetrotting business people, they arrived on the scene in a big way, just as the picture postcard was establishing its world media domination (otherwise known as the ‘Golden Age’). Postcards of liners were published in huge quantities during the 20th … Continue reading The World-wide Connection
