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Friday, 11 April 2014

Easter Greetings - Postcards from my collection

Three of my favourite Springtime postcards illustrated by Rene Cloke;

Welcome to spring - posted 27th April 1939

Spring Babies - Also posted in April 1939

A Dance of Spring - unsent card but I'm guessing it's from around the same time as the previous two.

Another favourite but this time illustrated by Racey Helps 
Message reads; Dear Jane & Mary, I hope you see a Kingfisher like this one by the river. Love Grandad xx

I bought this pretty Easter Card from an online auction. The seller provided scant information;  Easter post card; Published by J. Salmon, Sevenoaks. England. It has not been through the post, but it does have a message on the back. 

When the card arrived, I was delighted to find it addressed to Babs.  It was obviously meant for me!

Dear Babs, I wish you and Bun a Very Happy Easter. I hope you are quite well. I have been staying near Sidmouth with a little pupil of mine - she is spending her holidays at the Convent there. You must be getting a big girl. Much love E. Walker.  
Reading between the lines I think 'Bun' must be a toy rabbit or maybe even a real rabbit. It would certainly explain the choice of card. Don't you think that is just lovely?

Another eBay purchase bought more for the illustration than the words.

This was sent to a Miss Best & Family of County Down, Northern Ireland on the 19th March, 1940.   

This is a small section of an old opening greeting card. I wanted to show it in close up so you could see the detail. It’s made from very thin paper and is extremely fragile, but it's been part of my collection for a number of years, and I love it.


It’s been a busy few days. The decorators are arriving on Monday, so I've been moving furniture and packing things away. It’s been about six years since any decorating was done so it’s time for a spruce up. There is nothing like spring sunshine to show up what needs doing.  I hope you are all enjoying some spring sunshine – or at the very least, it has stopped snowing! 



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34 comments:

  1. Randomly Reading11 April 2014 at 12:38

    Barbara, these are just beautiful. What a wonderful collection of cards you must have, to always be able to share so many lovely ones with us. I hope your sprucing goes well (I have been thinking about spring cleaning myself, now that it looks like spring has really arrived)

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    1. Barbara11 April 2014 at 18:57

      Thanks Alex, glad you like them. The beauty of postcards is they are not overly expensive so my collection continues to grow. I’m enjoying the sun but it certainly shows up lots of hidden ‘things’ it will be nice to have a new coat of paint.

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  2. Castles Crowns and Cottages11 April 2014 at 13:21

    Dearest friend, how enchanted I am to come here to enjoy some of my favorite types of cards. The sweet sentimentality and innocence with which these cards were created are indicative of a time and place when nature and children were celebrated as they still should be: in all their precious innocence! I love that card to BABS....the sweet rabbit hugging the other. And I am very impressed with the penmenship. The writer's handwriting resembles that of Beatrix Potter! And of course, the French penmenship of old (and current) is also very recognizable. The colors...OH THEY ARE SPRING!

    Thank you for sharing what looks like rare cards, and rare times. Much love and joy to you! Anita

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    1. Barbara11 April 2014 at 19:06

      Hello Anita, my goodness it would be an exciting find if it were written by Beatrix Potter! I hadn’t thought about the writing – just the words – but it would be interesting to know what a graphologist would make of it. If any graphologists are reading this, please leave a comment. :-)
      It is lovely to have someone to share the cards with. Thank you for taking the time to leave another sweet comment. I hope life is going well for you. With love, Barbara.xx

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  3. klahanie11 April 2014 at 13:38

    Hi human, Barbara,

    You have a magical blog site. Your Easter postcards, a beautiful, reflective ambience that ties in so wonderfully with your blog. And during the rebirth that is spring, you will feel revitalised with the sprucing up of your home.

    The weather in this part of England is warm and sunny. Wishing you a lovely weekend, my human friend.

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

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    1. Barbara11 April 2014 at 19:10

      Hello Penny, the Jack Russell dog and modest Internet superstar! I’m delighted you found the time to call in at my humble blog.
      It’s warm and sunny in Somerset too, probably why my thoughts have turned to spring cleaning and all things decorating.
      I’m so pleased you are enjoying the posts. Please feel free to call in at any time, I will be sure to keep some delicious doggy biscuits on hand. xx

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    2. klahanie11 April 2014 at 22:16

      Hi Barbara,

      Penny, the diva dog, is having another well deserved nap. Penny and I, her mere human, both find your site to very well written and a pictorial delight. I hope that Somerset has gotten over the worse of those awful floods.

      I will send Penny back over here fairly soon. Doggy biscuits get her every time :)

      Kind wishes from Staffordshire,

      Gary

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    3. Barbara12 April 2014 at 16:44

      Hello Gary, I’m very happy to make your acquaintance! I’ve got the doggy biscuits on stand-by, and perhaps I could temp you to a slice of lemon drizzle cake?
      Thank you for your kind words re my blog. Somerset is slowly drying out although it will be many months before some of the people living on The Levels will be able to return home. We are lucky to be living in a slightly drier part of the county.
      Thanks for your visit, Barbara.

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  4. Felicity Grace Terry11 April 2014 at 15:33

    Such an amazing collection, I'd love to think you had some of them on display.

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    1. Barbara11 April 2014 at 19:13

      Hello Tracy, oh dear I’m afraid I only have one set on display. They are a set of Bonzo dog cards drawn by G. E. Studdy. The rest are in acid-free envelops stored in postcard sized stock boxes. I do get them out and look at them from time to time and sharing some of them on the blog means they are being appreciated. Have a super weekend, Barbara

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  5. CraveCute11 April 2014 at 15:42

    These really made my morning Barbara! We are having a rainy spring day today. I am in love with the one of the rabbit fishing, that is just adorable! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Barbara11 April 2014 at 19:16

      Hi Diane, well now you've made my evening, thank you! I love that one too, but then I love them all and always have trouble trying to decide on my favourites. I hope your weekend is full of good things. Thank you for calling in. Barbara x

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  6. Yanting Gueh11 April 2014 at 16:40

    You were obviously meant to buy that card, Barbara. Oh, the flowers, the Spring babies and spending time by the lake ... they all sound so lovely. Have great fun decorating your place! The initial part might feel tedious but the completion will make you feel very satisfied!

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    1. Barbara11 April 2014 at 19:28

      Hello Claudine, wasn’t that odd? There seem to be lots of coincidences in my life at the moment. I’m not sure about fun but it will be wonderful when it’s all done.
      I loved the post about LITTLE ORCHID'S SEA MONSTER TROUBLE over at the secret files of Fairday Morrow, they did an excellent job. You must be really pleased.

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    2. Yanting Gueh12 April 2014 at 11:24

      I am ecstatic, and, like you said, Jess & Stehpanie did an excellent job. Also, I received your beautiful card this morning. Hope you and Terry have a fabulous Easter! So grateful for friends like you guys.

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    3. Barbara12 April 2014 at 16:45

      and we feel just the same way about you! I'm happy to know the card arrived in time for Easter. I hope you have a very happy time. x

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  7. Intangible Hearts11 April 2014 at 17:53

    Seems like I might have the 'fishing bunny' one in my collection too. I used to anticipate lovely Easter postcards coming from my relatives. So sad no one sends them anymore.

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    1. Barbara12 April 2014 at 08:11

      Hello Eve, you are a woman of good taste! It would be interesting to know how many bunny cards were produced and how many are left. I don’t suppose there are that many.
      I’m finding it hard to buy pretty cards to send to my granddaughters. There are plenty of photographic ones of buildings and the like, but it’s hard to find any ‘art’ cards like the ones I collect.

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  8. Shashi Nayagam11 April 2014 at 18:20

    Barbara thank you for sharing these precious cards. What a lovely find it surely seems as though it was meant for you. Love the exquisitely crafted card the colours are still so fresh as though they were made not so long ago.

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    1. Barbara12 April 2014 at 08:26

      Hello Shashi, it is a very special card, and it certainly feels as though it were meant for me. The colours are still vibrant which (as you say) is amazing considering the age of some of them. Have a happy weekend.

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  9. Darlene12 April 2014 at 02:29

    How delightful! I love the card to Babs and Bun. Good luck with the redecorating. It is always a lot of work but worth it after. We are doing some as well. Spring is here and we are all very happy.

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    1. Barbara12 April 2014 at 08:30

      Hello Darlene, thanks for your good wishes. I can’t say I’m looking forward to the decorating, but it will be wonderful when it’s done. It’s amazing the difference a little spring sunshine makes, and how lovely it is to shed some of the layers. Enjoy the sunshine! Barbara x

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  10. Stephanie@Fairday's Blog12 April 2014 at 17:29

    What a great way to get the spring feeling going! The illustrations are sweet and inspiring in their own ways. I thought I knew which were my favorites, but they are all great! It is always fun to read an old postcard with a message! I love the greeting card with the details. Wow! So beautiful! Hope the decorating is going well. :)

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    1. Barbara14 April 2014 at 11:14

      Thanks Stephanie, it certainly feels like spring today. The decorating is going well, and it’s nice to be able to have all the doors and windows open and not be freezing.

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  11. Maria13 April 2014 at 19:24

    Dear Barbara..
    you've shown us some delightful Easter blessings in verse and picture post cards..
    Just lovely! ~ thank you!
    I could browse these vintage cards all day..the sentiments and pictures so delightful!
    Ooh I am wishing all to be well with the disruption of decorators.. :( I still have builders here and I'm not happy bunny about this...
    Happy of happiest Easters to you and yours also..
    I do hope the Easter bunny hop pity hops your way..
    hugs Maria x

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    1. Barbara14 April 2014 at 11:27

      Hello Maria, I’m so pleased you like them!
      The decorating has started, but I think it will be a few weeks before it’s finished (a bit like your builders!) It is a disruption but I keep telling myself if will be worth it in the end.
      Happy Easter to you too Maria, I hope you have a lovely weekend, and a rest for work and builders! xxxx

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  12. Kelly Steel14 April 2014 at 21:25

    Hi Barbara,

    I enjoyed this Easter greetings. I do miss getting an actual card nowadays.

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    1. Barbara15 April 2014 at 08:51

      Hi Kelly, I’ve sent lots of greetings cards this Easter but couldn’t find any pretty postcards. I wish the post offices would go back to offering a ‘postcard rate’ making it much less expensive to send. We might all start sending them again then. Thanks for calling in. Barbara.

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  13. Tazas y Cuentos14 April 2014 at 23:12

    Barbara, I always love your cards. You have a fantastic collection. Rene Cloke illustrations are so sweet. And the one you bought on an auction is wondeful too. I think that little dog is very similar to my beloved pet so I can not be very objective...haha.
    Besos!

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    1. Barbara15 April 2014 at 08:55

      Hello Silvina, how lovely to have a visit from you! I must pop across and see if you have done any new posts recently. If your little dog is anything like the one on the card, he must be adorable. I love dogs and really miss having one asleep under my desk. They are such good company. Happy Easter, Barbara x

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  14. TBM15 April 2014 at 13:34

    Such lovely illustrations and perfect for spring. I love this time of year.

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    1. Barbara15 April 2014 at 15:10

      Me too! It's another beautiful day today, sunshine and blue sky. Thanks for your comment.

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  15. sharonssunlitmemories10 May 2014 at 14:23

    Love these !!!!! Especially the first one!

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    1. Barbara11 May 2014 at 12:12

      I love them too, there is such an innocence about them.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx