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No, not a new band name.. though I am tempted, Philately is such a great word.

I have to confess, stamps have pretty much passed by my personal radar, but I found these in a dusty corner of an antiques warehouse one recent afternoon and found them really interesting! There were shelves and shelves of them, all displayed and archived so carefully according to subject, place and time.

As well as stamps, there was also a huge collection of old postcards, some dating back to the 1900′s.  I’m always fascinated by the backs of old postcards; the curl of the handwriting, the postal stamps. I always have a secret wish to come across some fascinating snippet of a story; a love letter perhaps, or an intriguing tale. But even the seemingly mundane ones have their own particular charm.  Each card is a mystery waiting to be solved  - you try to imagine the hand that wrote each one, and the circumstances and times surrounding them. I wonder if the real people are anything like as interesting as the characters I conjure up in my head?

I like to think of the journeys of these stamps and cards, tiny pieces of art flying all over the world, connecting people.

(p.s. clicking each image should bring up a sharper version)

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From Dawlish, Devon, 1958

Dear Roma,

just a card. I don’t know if you know that I am on holiday I have been to this plase today we are having a nice time the weather not to bad we are on the sea front and we have got a nice hotel.

Love from Mrs Barnard.

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From Exeter, Devon, 1905

Dear Nellie,

I received your parcel quite safely thank you very much for it. It was very kind of you. I hope you have a happy Easter. I have not heard from Jack yet. I will write you a nice letter after Easter.

with best love from Mabel.

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From Torquay, Devon, 1915

I’m working on this one…!

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