Century-old postmarks

In one of my threads, the issue of postmarks came up in the middle. I thought some of these in the picture would make it interesting.

1.The envelope (bottom right) was posted by one Prof.J.G.Tait, who was teaching in India. He used to write to my Grandfather when he returned to Edinburgh after he retired. It is dated 1921 and measures 12cm x6cm - very small. Prof. Tait's letters were treasured by him and it is a treat for me to read them as well! So beautiful.

2.The one with the green embossing above that one has Queen Victoria. It was a mail received by my g-g-father in 1899. It is an envelope.

3.To its left is a Post Card of 1906 with King Edward VII.

Lastly, below left, you can see a Post card dated 1899, Queen Victoria's bust again. This is probably the first set of postcards that were introduced in India. The address was to be written on one side and the other side was for message.

All postmarks are clearly seen.

What a collection of treasures. I'm amazed they survived and are legible. With all of our modern inks and other stamping solutions, I still see postmarks that are faded in a few short years. I believe I have one about the same as your old one, although probably not as newsworthy. The little envelope is addressed to a gentleman "and his lady," which I know to have been his wife so I thought it strange. The paper is embossed and quite fine, as was not uncommon in those times. It's a social note of some type, I don't recall exactly what. I believe I have the note and a little inner envelope as well. They are a size no longer accepted for posting. Oddly, the writing was done with a simple pencil! Beautiful specimen of the old style penmanship. I can't resist collecting those when I have an opportunity, and have rescued a few from trash cans after auctions ended.

Dinu, these are wonderful. You have so many family treasures that have been preserved with care and respect, and it's a joy to see them.

I have always been thrilled by nostalgia. I still enjoy reading the many letters that my grandfather preserved (involuntarily in a sense). Recently I read in the 'paper that remembering the olden days helps in relaxing our minds. It was written by a doctor. I have my own experience to back this up. I can vouch it is true. The value of the intellectual matter that have been preserved by me is immense. Some of the letters have become brittle.

I believe that, too, Dinu. It is very relaxing to read old letters and documents and look at photos from past eras -- they connect us in such a special way with people, particularly our relatives. Your grandfather sounds like the most interesting person!

This is my first stamp album gifted by a kind German lady in 1970 or so. It proved a great boost as I had never seen any of the kind. Though it was small, it spurred my interest at that young age.

Sorry picture is not sharp. Am keeping Indian mint stamps {mint means unused .... not the botanical 'mint'! LOL} now. But in general, the hobby is on a very low ebb. It holds good to me as well. The younger generations are not serious about these lovely hobbies.

Dinu

Those are cool :) Have you seen this site?

http://www.postcrossing.com/

And well.. my galleries:

http://aimo.hiillos.org/galleria/index.php?list=15
http://aimo.hiillos.org/galleria/index.php?list=10