Monday 27 July 2009

Howcroft Head Greetland


When I first started writing about Boring Postcards back in 1999, I had hoped that one day I might write a book about them.

Unbeknown to me, I had already been beaten to it by Martin Parr and his brilliant 'Boring Postcards' which was published by Phaidon shortly after I'd started my writing. I got to meet Martin shortly afterwards and this card, which he sent to me, is another of my favourites. It also appears in the book so do check it out if you haven't already got a copy.

Monday 20 July 2009

Southend Pier Damage


Another odd card: This one depicts pier damage at Southend on Sea in the 1980's. Incredibly it's one of a 'collectors series'! I don't know how many there are but this is number 4. (I happen to have two by the way)


The series shows damag to to the pier caused by the tanker Kingsabbey. Luckily for us this one concentrates on the lifeboat station which was declared unsafe and had to be blown up. Hee the station can be seen both pre and post explosion - enjoy!

Tuesday 14 July 2009

Dartmoor Prison


I'm not sure if this should be in the category Boring Postcards or Inappropriate Postcards. It's not necessarily boring - the building itself is dull - but the photo shows some pleasant countryside surrounding it, even if it does suggest that the photographer popped up from behind the wall for the split second that it took to get the photo, before scooting off in case he'd been spotted by the guards.

I find myself asking who would buy this card and also who would send it? Would it be sent from an inmate? How delighted would you be to receive it? It's certainly not going to come with the ultimate postcard cliche, 'Having a lovly time wish you were here.'

There is an unused 3p stamp on the reverse which I think would have been the cost of first class postage around the mid 1970's. However there is no message so we can only guess as to who had intended to send it.

Thursday 2 July 2009

The Control Tower London Airport


After last week's stab at making my own postcard, I'm delighted to return to the genuine article. Here then is the Control Tower at London Airport.

Nothing I can add here other than to urge you to bask in all it's boring glory.