Illustrated with postcards from my own large collection, an appreciation of the world of postcards.
This non-fiction book describes my close relationship with old postcards, mainly fantasy ones. I have collected them since the nineteen seventies and now own over two thousand of these charming, beautiful, historic items. I started fanatically collecting them whilst writing my thesis on Fantasy in Postcards at Art College, where I was studying for a graphic design degree. My thesis won me a first with distinction, whereas my graphic art annoyingly gained me only a 2:2. I was asked by my art history tutor to lecture on the subject of Fantasy in Postcards, but as I was only twenty one at the time I did not feel ready and declined. All of the cards in my book are from my own collection.
Excerpt
There were many successful attempts to make postcards more credible and realistic to fool the recipient that the miniature world they held in their hand was real. Even when the depicted scene was imaginary, every ruse was used that technology at the time allowed in order to suspend the disbelief of the viewer for a while. Novelty cards, such as ‘hold-to-lights’, foil or metallic ink cards, were designed to grasp the recipient’s attention and set their imagination in motion. ‘Hold-to-light’ cards are highly prized amongst deltiologists as they are a most effective way to add reality to a fantasy image. If the card in question illustrates a house or a ship, for instance, the effect of illuminated windows is achieved by holding the card up to the light. A layer of thin, yellow paper was sandwiched between two pieces of perforated card to give the illusion the house was occupied and all the lights were blazing. Imagination does the rest, the viewer free to wonder who lives in a house like this and what might they be doing. Back in the days that the card was made, entertainment was not served on a plate like it is today, with stories constantly being foisted upon the public from a myriad of multimedia angles. In the past, everyone had to work that much harder to be entertained, with imaginations taking every bit of help they could get to kick start. Since time began, human beings have made efforts to be transported by their imagination to worlds or lives other than their own.
Decoupage became popular, with postage stamps cut up and positioned to form objects, with hand-painted backgrounds, lending such cards a very appealing, primitive quality. In my collection, one card depicts a stork.
Professional Reviews
Five star rating. Looking glass into the past…
Five star rating
Looking glass into the past…
ByTeresa Cordovaon December 19, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
To observe the past in its true reality, you must glimpse the individual, personal lives of those who lived there. This book shows you a way into the real humor, trends, sexuality, and political views of a bygone era. It allows you to see the type of unfiltered reality we rarely get to experience. The artwork contained on these postcards is strange, beautiful, and even naughty at times. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates history, humor, and beauty.
Mrs Zippy reviewed Living with Postcards 5 stars. A Delightful Book
2016-02-06
The author shares her impressive knowledge of vintage postcards in an entertaining and informative style. Brimful of lovely reproductions it is never dull. A book to read from cover to cover or to dip into. Certainly a book to revisit. Living With Postcards makes an imaginative present, even to someone like me who has no particular interest in postcard collecting.
I can thoroughly recommend it.
5.0 out of 5 stars. Postcards of the past
5.0 out of 5 stars Postcards of the past
By Diane on 1 Feb. 2016
Format: Paperback
I now feel quite educated about postcards. The book reminded me of the ones my grandmother had tucked away in a drawer, beautiful old cards. I know what Joy means about it feeling intrusive reading the messages on the other side though. I’d love to see a book of postcard messages though!
This book has a really wide selection of cards that gives you a real glimpse into the past designs and styles. I recognised some of the artists too. I was pleased that the cheeky postcards of my own childhood got a mention too – these were the ones my dad scoured the racks outside shops selling buckets and spades. I always used to send ones with pictures of the place I was at on!
They are a part of all of our history and a wonderful way to look into the past. This book explores a lovely range of cards.
This is a lovely book and would make a nice gift for someone interested in postcards.
Personal journals are full of potential, waiting for you to add the color! Pages for you to fill in the blanks with tidbits and trivia about South Dakota
