The Missing Cards

Special Entry...3 Years in the making

Sadly, many of my cards seem to go astray when I send them from my little corner of Japan. I am going to pick a few of my favourite cards that never it made to the places I sent them to and show them to you.  

Sometimes the person moved before they arrived, other times, I'm not sure. Perhaps they didn't please their recipient so they weren't registered. Perhaps, their intended recipient had a computer malfunction.  The cards may still be moving somewhere out there…through a black hole or perhaps purloined for their beauty or mangled too badly to read in a postal machine somewhere!

So, for any of you curious people, here are some of my non-delivered cards. Please enjoy them, and mourn their non-delivery with me...

This first card was going to another Postcrosser in Japan.  It shows a very famous place in Sakata, the next city up the train line.  This is the Sankyo Warehouse with zelkova trees.  The warehouse is still used for storing rice to this day, but also houses two museums, one for the area of Sakata, one for the history of rice production.  I was very disappointed that this one was never registered as I haven't seen this card on Postcrossing...it's done by a local photographer I think.

These warehouses have been featured in a few movies, I believe in Oishin and also in a (not very good) Keira Knightley movie called Silk.

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This card was sent to Belarus.  Although it has been a long time, I think the person wanted cards that have unusual housing on it!  The card is from Akita.

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I broke my own rule with this one and sent it in an envelope to Canada.  The person I sent it to wasn't on Postcrossing for several months and this card was never registered.  Sob!

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This card was lost on the way to Thailand.  The person asked for Hello Kitty cards, and my husband had just gifted me with a packet of them.  

Sadly, it never arrived.  I'm not a big Hello Kitty fan, but I do love the bold colours in this card.

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This card shows the bridges in Niigata City.  I had found a treasure trove of beautiful cards from that city and wanted to show them off.  It was lost somewhere on the way to Brazil.  It may yet arrive, but the year of travelling is just about up.

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 This card was on its way to Belgium when it went missing.  The person's profile was so interesting that I wanted to send a special card.  I picked this one, but it never arrived.  These poor lucky cats weren't very lucky.

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This one was on its way to France when it disappeared.  I was sending it to a Postal Worker and he didn't have this card at the time.  It doesn't seem to have made the journey.  Maybe it decided to have a look at the Eiffel Tower instead?  

Mailboxes in Japan
There are still a few of the ones in the center around my city!

Well, that's a few of my cards that never arrived.  I have more of course, but these were some of the nicest ones.  What about you?  Do you have any cards that you were greatly disappointed by their not arriving?  Do tell!

Old London Cards

Old Postcards

I was going through some of my family's photos the last time I was in Canada and I found these interesting postcards.  They are all blank and I have no idea when they were bought.  I was the last family member to go to Britain, and that was in 1983 or thereabouts, but I think these are from before then. I hope you enjoy them!

Admiralty Arch And the Mall

Aerial View of Tower Bridge and the City of London

Hyde Park Corner and Hilton Hotel, London

I wish that whoever had bought them had dated some of them, it would have been nice to know just when these were from.  Sadly, the last postcard in particular has had a bit of a rough life, and they do smell a little mildewed.  Fun to look at though!

Gotochi Cards - Ishikawa

December 2013

In December, my husband and I visited Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture and of course I had to pick up the Gotochi cards for myself.  

It was rather a comedy of errors as we'd had a bad night and hadn't slept well, and didn't know where a post office was.  We drove around, looking for tourist attractions we could visit, but most were closed.  Finally, we passed a big post office and parked and went in.  Jackpot!

I won't pretend to understand what each of them represents, but I can mention a few things...

Ishikawa is famous for gold lacquer, many items are covered with gold leaf here.

Kotoji-tōrō in Kenroku-en Park.  It is said to be shaped like a bridge on a Koto.

The lady in the post office was very friendly and happy to see that a foreigner was collecting the Gotochi cards.  She gave me a lot of mini-cards, which I wasn't expecting.  I've received one or two before, but never this many at once!  

I have multiples of these...and they were free!  Hurray.  

This has been a Gotochi Card bonus post.

Germany

December 31, 2013

Melanie sent this cool card from Germany.  She wrote that she is married and lives in a city in Germany that is known for linen and pudding!   She says that we can take long walks in a forest and an animal park.

Melanie works for a fashion accessory company.

She wishes me a Happy Postcrossing and best wishes for the New Year.

Although this is a fairly common stamp from Germany, this is a rather good example of it.  It hasn't been covered completely by the cancellation mark. 

United States of America

December 31, 2013

Donna from the US wrote me an interesting card.  She wrote, "It may be a little early, but Happy Birthday!  Wishing you a wonderful year.  I hope you will enjoy this B&W card.  It's the last actor I have-must find some more!"

She continues,"It's gorgeous here today after 2 days of snow & clouds.  Cold, but better than gloom."  She goes on to talk about my profile picture which shows a Japanese mailbox, and says that US mailboxes are so boring.  She finishes by wishing me a wonderful 2014.

Francis X. Bushman (1883-1966) as Messella
 in the MGM classic Ben Hur, 1926

A little research tells me that Francis X. Bushman was a big star in silent films, but wasn't able to carry his fame into the talkies.  He did continue acting, and appeared on TV and radio, but never regained his former glory.

I've never seen this particular stamp before, but it is quite nice.  I rather like it for Christmas. 

Thanks for a great card!

Netherlands

December 31, 2013

Ingrid sent this card from a village near the beach.  She writes that she's in her 40's, married and a mother of three kids.

She sent me this card of Laurel and Hardy and asks if I know about them.  Yes, I do!  I can't remember watching their movies, but I know about them.

Ingrid finished by wishing me all the best for 2014.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
Publicity stills for "Way Out West", August-November 1936
Photos by Bud "Stax" Graves

These are new stamps to me, but are really interesting.  I like the way that the border edge is broken in two places on each stamp. I wonder what the reason is behind that!

A great postcrossing Ingrid, thanks!

Switzerland

December 31, 2013

I received this internet-printed card from Switzerland.  I don't really like them as the sender has never touched the card.  The "stamp" is printed on too.  I think they are impersonal.

However, the sender did pick a cool picture for me. It's a scan from a Swiss film called Les Petites Fugues.  He says that it tells the story of an old farm worker.  He buys a moped with his first retirement pension payment and he discovers his country.  He still watches the film with the same pleasure.

He sends his greetings!

Taiwan

December 30, 2013

I received this card from another Stella, one that comes from Taiwan. She writes that she's a university student who is majoring in foreign languages and literature.  She says she is going to travel in Japan.  She says that Japan seems to be quite a wonderful place to her.

She signs off by saying she wishes me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

The stamp is gorgeous.  Many of the stamps from Taiwan are, but this is just beautiful.  

Add caption

Belarus

December 23, 2013

The sender of this card writes that they are a student.  They study at the Belorussian State University.  They study arts, tourism, and history.  In their spare time they like to read, and do embroidery.

Final thought, "Have a nice day".

Minsk Town Hall. 1600
Roman-Catholic Church of St. Virgin Mary. 1710-1732

This is a very interesting stamp.  Does anyone know what it is commemorating?  Love to hear below.

Hong Kong

December 19, 2013

Natalie sent this cute card from Hong Kong and asks how my life is in Japan.  She says that she wishes to live in Japan because she thinks Japan is a very beautiful and clean country.

Titanic is one of her favourite movies.  She has watched it about 10 times, and says it is touching.

Titanic
God shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death.  Neither shall there be sorrow or dying, neither shall there by any more pain, for the former world has passed away. (English legend under picture)

Australia

December 12, 2013

Sue told me about the book by Shaun Tan that this card is from. He is an amazing writer and illustrator.  She says this book is just wonderful and has just been released there.

Summer is typical of Melbourne at the moment.  It is wet and cold at times, but Monday was very hot, in the high 30's.

Rules of Summer - Shaun Tan

She used an interesting stamp on the card...a modern version of the three shepherds at the Nativity.

Taiwan

December 9, 2013

Angel says that she is 14 and lives in Taiwan.  Her town is a harbor city.  She says the weather is getting colder and colder.  She hopes I like the Christmas card.  She hopes I like the card and wishes me Merry Christmas!

Germany

December 9, 2013

This card comes from Germany.  Steffi says that she is a student and in her free time she loves to bake and meet up with her friends.  She hopes I like this card.  I do!

Image taken from Homespun Style by Selina Lake

Germany

December 9, 2013

Elke writes that she works as a clerk in her own home-office.  She enjoys working at home.  She wishes me a nice Christmas season too.

On the Way
Photo: Roland Gerth

The stamp on the right is very interesting, but I'm not exactly sure what it shows.  

Netherlands

December 9, 2013

Lianne, a mother in Holland with a 4 year old daughter and some animals sent this card.

She says the card is about Sinterklaas which is a festival for children with a lot of presents and candy.  It is celebrated on December 5th.

She wishes me a nice day and a happy postcrossing.

Greetings from Sint and Piet

I found out through some on-line reading that I did, that Piet (aka Black Pete) is quite a controversial character, but many Dutch people do not see him as a racist symbol.

Look at these very cool vintage stamps.  I like them a lot!

Belarus

December 5, 2013

This card comes all the way from Belarus, from a young woman called Anya.

She writes that she is 23, and lives in the capital Minsk.  She works in an IT company.

She bought this card in London this autumn.  She had two wonderful weeks in September there.  She had wanted to visit London since she was 12, so she found it very special to see all the beautiful places with her own eyes.

She closes by hoping I like this postcard and sending warm regards to me and my family.

Johnny Depp, Los Angeles, 1990
Photograph by Herb Ritts

Anya put a very interesting stamp on her card.  I can't say I've ever seen this one before.  Thanks!

United States of America

December 2, 2013


Thomas invites me to visit him in North Carolina, and see the "whirligigs" of Vollis Simpson, a local folk artist.  He signs off with "Ciao!"

Jewelry Shop Window
Cover design for Liberty Magazine, 1926-27.

United States of America

December 2, 2013

Peg sent a lovely Christmassy card with a lovely chatty message in it.  She wrote that her daughter just came back from spending 4 years in the JET Program in Japan.  She asks if I was a JET (Nope).  She says that her daughter loved Japan and learned how to speak and read Japanese fairly well.  Peg was able to go and visit her one summer in Hokkaido where her daughter was based.

Peg wrote that she was preparing for Thanksgiving in the week that she was writing.  She is anxious for her family to come and notes there will be 21 people all together.

Melozza da Forli(1438-1494).  Angel playing the violin.

Russia

December 2, 2013

Hello!  This card comes from Russia, from a woman who calls herself a girl-owl.

She says that she really likes Japan.  Her dream is to visit Japan in the spring, when the sakura blossoms.  She thinks it is a wonderful time.  Spring is always a wonderfully :) (sic)

She bades me to be happy, smile more:) and sends her love.  

The stamp on the right is very unusual.  I'm not sure if it is for Tarzan or for The Jungle Book, or something I haven't heard of.  Any ideas? I'd love to hear from you!

Netherlands

December 2, 2013

Gerda sent me a lovely card from the Netherlands.  She said that she liked the movie with Meryl Streep called "The House of the Spirits" from the book by Isabel Allende a lot.  She saw it several times.  She also likes the Lord of the Rings.

Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall

I haven't seen all of these stamps together like this before.  I like them.