The art of the postcard.
By now I'm sure you're all familiar with Post Secret. Well, if you weren't before, then you are now. It shines a spotlight not only on this sorely underrated form of communication, but on the postcard as a vessel for the unmentionable.

Over the Christmas holiday I received quite a few postcards, and not that any of them contained confidential ruminations, but it kick started my thinking back on a long standing love affair for this particular medium.
Long ago Tall Matt mentioned how he for years had been the recipient of postcards from Mr. Black Socks, and how at some point he would like to compile a book of the samples, then upon hearing this I took to writing Mr. Black Socks as well. Around that same time, and probably two years before I even laid eyes on the one formerly known as Hurl, we too began corresponding with the postcards.
Eventually a whole network began taking place, the general idea of which was eventually documented in Andy Jenkin's book "I Check The Mail Only When I'm Certain It Has Arrived", a book of letters and postcards from people he did not yet know.
Though Andy's book only skimmed a distant edge of our immediate circle of correspondences (he printed a letter from a guy who was in a band from Kansas City that was sent from my house while they were staying with me, and I had periodically sent Andy postcards as well), it proves the necessity of actual mail (as opposed to email) just as far as the organic physicality of it is concerned.
Anyway, I bring all of this up simply as a preface to my showcasing a few samples that I have kept over the years. Some were from people I'm personally connected with, and some were not. Some are chock full of profanity, and again, some are not, but all of them were drafted with the express purpose of conveying a momentary thought, idea, or feeling and really, I suppose that is what means the most to me about each of them.




















This selection is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the quality and the quantity of cards I've got sitting beside me at my desk, but they all capture a specific moment in time of my life, as well as the senders, and thats what makes me love them the most.
Now I'm sure a good number of you have the address where I spend my days, as well as a pen and a hunk of cardboard, so get cracking.
You know what to do.
I can almost totally promise that I will reciprocate.
*Also it should be noted that over the break, my digital camera was destroyed, so an actual Christmas break post will be delayed, if it happens at all.
Thanks for your understanding and consideration on this matter..*




Comments
Dude, it's cold and I have a lot of free-time. Lay your address on me for correspondence from Southern Onterrible, Canada.
Posted by: Jinxy | January 6, 2009 02:13 PM
¡¡♥!!
Posted by: meligrosa | December 31, 2008 12:00 AM
If you really want to be fancy about it, use your local bicycle messenger to deliver it. (Just sayin...)
Posted by: Corey the Courier | December 30, 2008 08:57 AM
This seasons "Must Have!"
http://chrisbishop.com/obama/
Posted by: FunkyLaneO | December 30, 2008 08:53 AM
Now there's a thought !, actually writing stuff down that might mean something instead of sending thoughtless soulless emails.
I think I can remember how to write so if you want to know random shit about my world in Manchester in the UK send me an address (via email obviously)
Posted by: steve makin | December 29, 2008 11:57 AM
Thanks for sharing. Great cards.
Consider the challenge accepted.
Posted by: Nick | December 29, 2008 11:27 AM
Funny.
I just cleaned off my home desk off over the weekend and found the postcard you sent me.
Made me think I should send you another.
Thanks for including mine on this post.
As you and the readers can see it took me a while to get mailed.
I'll find something to send you soon.
Posted by: One Eyed z | December 29, 2008 11:16 AM
Man, I'm warm and fuzzy now. Good shiz. Thanks again stevil.
Posted by: Gnome | December 29, 2008 09:26 AM