Posted on 08/21/2024 5:06:35 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Staff at Swansea Building Society were taken aback when their usual delivery of savings and mortgage paperwork included an artefact from the past – a postcard dating back 121 years.
The “spooky” discovery comes just a year after the building society celebrated its 100th anniversary, making the postcard even older than the institution itself, by two decades.
The postcard, addressed to a woman in Swansea, Wales, has intrigued both staff and the public alike. Henry Darby, the company’s marketing and communications officer, shared his excitement about the unexpected find, describing it as both “exciting” and “a little bit spooky.”
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Stonehenge came from even further than Wales “It’s like holding a piece of history in your hands,” Darby remarked. “It feels like an antique, something that belongs in a museum. People on our social media are buzzing with interest, sharing stories and memories about the city’s rich history.”
The postcard’s message offers a charming glimpse into life over a century ago. It reads: “Dear L. I could not, it was not possible to get the pair of these. I am so sorry, but I hope you are enjoying yourself at home. I have got now about 10/- (shillings) as pocket money not including the train fare so I am doing alright. Remember me to Miss Gilbert and John. With love to all from Ewart.”
Interestingly, a relative of the postcard’s intended recipient has since reached out to the building society, adding a personal connection to this extraordinary find. The incident has sparked curiosity about how the postcard managed to remain undelivered for more than a century, and the story continues to unfold as more details come to light.
Next time you feel frustrated by slow post, remember this story, as it’s an example of true snail mail!
Bttt
Pretty cool!
Old Mail Day Ceremony on Green Acres.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKsUBPayVTg
Mad Magazine had an undelivered mail feature:
Post card to Abraham Lincoln.
“That play Our American Cousin is a real dud. Don’t bother going to see it. A waste of time.”
A+ for Sincerity of the writer
C- for Penmanship
He was either using a fountain pen or the Quill Feather of some large bird like a Swan or Turkey.
The ink is of top quality, to have lasted for so long.
The card has probably been stuck inside of a large, heavy book all this time. Sort of the way a flower would be pressed in a large dictionary. It shows very little discoloration or mold.
Is there a pic on the other side, possibly revealing what “the pair of these” refers to?
Antlers?
Photo here:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/wales-old-postcard-1.7301229
>>>On the front is a black-and-white illustration of a stag near a frozen lake with the words “The Challenge” in the lower left corner.<<<
Thanks for finding!
Must’ve been something only they knew. Maybe the card was sent with just one of the item in question.
The handwriting looks a good bit like my grandmother’s. She was born in 1893.
Thank you for clearing up that mystery. Was also wanting to know what the picture was on the obverse. I used to collect postcards in my youth because they were inexpensive, and the vintage ones have nice artwork.
I’m going to guess that the person wanted a pair of these postcards. The one the writer couldn’t get might’ve been a similarly themed picture by the same artist. Maybe wildlife from Canada or northern Europe was of interest. Of course, it could be a pair of something mentioned in a letter or in their last conversation. The mystery lives on. :)
Early ‘geocaching’?
Maybe “The Challenge” was to find a matching pair of postcards. 😄
11 Cradock St, 11 -— name is of Welsh origin meaning beloved, amiable, love
Maybe someone was having a little fun by dropping it in the mail at this time, 11 x 11 years on.
mark
Heh, I’d wondered the same thing (re a pair of postcards), My comment had crossed in the timing of your reply.
The writing at the top middle doesn’t appear to go with anything, but you know how this stuff ends up in thrift stores or wherever... somewhere along the ownership chain, people make notes.
PING
[The incident has sparked curiosity about how the postcard managed to remain undelivered for more than a century, and the story continues to unfold as more details come to light.]
Stuck in a very old sorting machine, fell behind a piece of furniture only now being cleaned, etc.
Thanks nickcarraway.
Thanks Tennessee Nana!
A game by mail, sounds like a fun way to stay in touch. Much more interesting than how-are-you-I-am-fine mail. :)
Yes, the fishway note seems to be written in ballpoint pen and in another handwriting. Fishway isn’t the name of a town, so maybe someone was just jotting down a note about a fishway which I just learned the definition of. Had no idea about fishways/fish ladders (and a few other synonyms). Still learning something new every day.
It Would be more interesting if it was from 2050
A hand written letter or postcard is sp much better than an e-mail or text.
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