Of course, the most critical part of postcards and letters are: a proper address to send it to, and a friend to write.
Also, I like to think about all the hands which touch the card as it makes the journey from my writing desk to a happy (I expect) recipient who peeks in their post box / letter slot and see something other than a utility bill or an bulk/junk mail from a real estate agent. .
I also wonder how the “hand off“ in international mail works from one country to the next.
Do the workers peek at the – almost illegible – scribble on my postcards? .
Do they wonder who wrote the missives and who the recipient is?
Do you think about these logistics & vagaries? Or is it just me?
I think the temptation must be almost irresistible. Especially when they are doing the rounds and a dispatch from some interesting place ends up in their hands.
Postcards: Stick No Bills, cinemaPostcards: Stick No Bills, cinema
As often mentioned, i love postcards – both the writing / sending and the buying / collecting. When i find excellent postcards, i am indeed tempted to keep em stashed in a dossier or shoebox for my own amusement, however such action does not allow the humble postcard to fulfil its apparent destiny. As such, as per usual routine, i gather the finest cards, write sentiments (albeit in semi-legible scrawl) upon the back, squeeze in an address, flourish with inky stamps, complete with requisite postal stamps and send send on their way via the magical wormhole of postboxes. However, before sending on their journey, i take snapshots of the front / arty side for art and documentation purposes (sometimes the backs too for personal audit and memory).
This batch comes via a stay in Galle, Sri Lanka where, in the historical Fort Galle (previously Portuguese, Dutch and British), i bought basically everything Stick No Bills had on offer – postcard-wise that is, they also sell posters which aren’t handy for traveling though i have a mighty stack in a storage locker faraway.
Each card rung up with unique UPC barcode resulting in a receipt approx a metre/yard long with 92 entries. I mentioned this dedications to them and they offered me a poster t say “thanks” but alas i split before taking them up on the kindness.
Most notable about Stick No Bills is:
Respect for artists – the art is carefully curated, artists are compensating appropriately and the artwork is reproduced accurately
Quality of materials – delicious tactile cardstock with fine silkscreened ink which feels wonderful under pen and finger
Eclectic variety – as evidenced in my collection shared over 7 volumes, the assortments includes vintage Air Ceylon and hotel art, cinema art, various folklife, landmarks, maps and transportation themed pieces. (They also offered a line featuring funny/weird/unironic english t-shirts worn by local folks which i didn’t collect as i recall.)
Anyhow, mine are shared here for historical record (and modified with my personal stamps to prevent unauthorized reproductions) and your support/purchases is/are encouraged/recommended either by mailorder or even better, stopping into their lovely shop in Fort Galle, Sri Lanka.Tell em Uncle Weed sent ya (they won’t know what you mean but i’ll be amused).
A rather large batch of handmade cards made from excerpts from my Fck Stats, Make Art dossiers (heroes and metaphors), scraps for poetry, and pre-franked stamps from Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North), collaged on white stock, with personal (albeit cryptic) notes scribbled, and sent somewhat anonymously (with assistance from a friend) to unsuspecting folks who seemed in need of a little pick-me-up parable to remind they are remarkable and executing noteworthy import-ness.
Displayed in batches, with limited annotations.
Greetz from Elsewhere: Re: Amsterdam canals – be sure to jot down the name (pencil and marker on paper)
Greetz from Elsewhere: Go further to explore interestingness
A rather large batch of handmade cards made from excerpts from my Fck Stats, Make Art dossiers (heroes and metaphors), scraps for poetry, and pre-franked stamps from Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North), collaged on white stock, with personal (albeit cryptic) notes scribbled, and sent somewhat anonymously (with assistance from a friend) to unsuspecting folks who seemed in need of a little pick-me-up parable to remind they are remarkable and executing noteworthy import-ness.
Displayed in batches, with limited annotations.
Greetz from Elsewhere: My coordinates are my own but my sentiments are yours, with admirations and affection
Adam says: An offering of fine poetry and pleasing imagery, DaveO, for which our family is happy as punch to have received… (Further perused under yonder Utah Juniper avec frosty barley pop bevvey) Namaste, Uncle Weed!
Carol says: Fantastic meaningful interesting package arrived from afar! Big Thanks
Mark says, “I wish everyone knew the unique pleasure of receiving a letter from @UncleWeed. Now the pressure is on to create something even half as cool to send halfway around the world!”
Colleen says, “my friends send the best mail. this needs a frame”
Cameron says, “When I came home the girls shared with me their theory that you are an international spy and there are hidden meanings in the poems and paintings. It’s a pretty solid theory.”
Cheryl says: A treasure-trove of visual and tactile delights and pure joy came through my door mail slot from far away today…inside the outer envelope more beautiful envelopes of hand-made treasures with varieties of paper and delicate folds with rubber stamps and personal art with writing goodness…all strewn out over my bed in pure visual delight. Big hugs, Dave! What a beautiful, rich package of sensory gems!!! Thank you ever SO much! I LOVE it! Grateful to be the lucky recipient of such precious, exquisite postal mail!
