#Penny Black postage stamp

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Victorian Christmas Cards

Printed Christmas cards became popular in the Victorian period (1837-1901), thanks to a combination of cheaper printing techniques and even cheaper post, with the arrival of the Penny Black postage stamp.

Coming in all shapes, sizes and materials, Christmas cards were sent in their millions to all corners of the British Empire.

Victorian illustrators created an entire mythology of exactly what we imagine a European Christmas should look like with their now-classic scenes of present-covered Christmas trees, holly, robins, sleighs, and snow-covered country lanes.

When we dream of a white Christmas, it is the festive cards of the 19th century, which are largely responsible for that evergreen imagery.

Origins

Adults have, of course, been writing letters to each other for centuries.

Even before there was an official public post system, letters were delivered in person, by servants, and via transport coaches.

There had also been prints made from the 15th century, using woodcuts or copperplate printing techniques, especially for calendars.

It was in the Victorian period that several factors conspired to make printed Christmas cards the hugely popular phenomenon they became.

The historians Antony and Peter Miall suggest in The Victorian Christmas Book that the origins of cards for the festive season lie in the classroom.

From the 18th century, schoolmasters had their pupils work on a 'Christmas Piece' in the month of December.

This work involved pupils selecting a sheet of fine paper and producing a sample of their writing, principally to show off to their parents evidence of their academic progress that year.

The paper often came with a decorated engraved border, and by the 19th century, it was popular for the pupils to draw their own decorative borders using coloured ink.

"These offerings were the forerunners of the great Victorian Christmas Card" (Miall, 37).

Other sources of inspiration for the decorative Christmas card may have been printed music sheets with decorative borders and covers, engravings commissioned to mark important anniversaries, school reward cards for hard-working pupils, fine illustrated notepaper, and the more ornate varieties of visiting cards, which were left when one called upon someone and they were not at home.

The First Christmas Card

Sir Henry Cole (1808-1882) was a civil servant who had, in 1840, reformed the British postal system by helping to create the Universal Penny Post where senders used the now-famous Penny Black postage stamps.

Cole would later become the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

In 1843, Cole had a brilliant idea.

Not only could he save himself writing different individualised letters to his friends and family at Christmas, but he could also brighten the season with a colourful card printed for the express purpose of sending his compliments of the season.

Accordingly, Cole commissioned John Callcott Horsley (1817-1903), an artist and illustrator who was a member of the Royal Academy, to produce the first printed Christmas card.

THE FIRST CARDS WENT ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE RATHER HIGH PRICE OF ONE SHILLING PER CARD.

Horsley's design for the card, which was about the size of an ordinary visiting card (2 x 3 inches or 5 x 7.5 cm), showed different generations of the Horsley family raising a toast – presumably to the absent friend who is the recipient of the card – while flanked with scenes showing acts of charity, then, as now, an important element of the Christmas season.

On the left are people giving food to the needy, and on the right, they give clothing.

There was a border of a wood frame intertwined with ivy, and below the main image, a greeting of "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."

There was a space along the very top and bottom of the card left blank to write a short handwritten and personalised message to the receiver.

One thousand such cards were printed and then hand-coloured. The cards went on sale to the public at the rather high price of one shilling per card.

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a new and relatively expensive idea, there were few buyers.

The Idea Catches On

Fortunately for the future of Christmas cards, the royal family was enthusiastic for all things Christmassy.

In particular, Prince Albert (1819-1861) brought German Christmas traditions to England such as the Christmas tree.

It was the younger members of the royal family who adopted the idea of sending each other handmade greeting cards both at Christmas and New Year. 

Queen Victoria must have approved since she later started the trend of public figures sending 'official' Christmas cards showing more often than not themselves and their family in a festive setting.

Then, in 1844, there was another attempt at the commercial Christmas card, and this was much more successful.

Mr W. C. T. Dobson sold a printed card, which carried an illustration of the "Spirit of Christmas."

In 1848, a card printed by William Maw Edgley (1826-1916) repeated the theme of Cole's card but added scenes of general merriment and holly to the imagery.

Printers now knew they were onto a good thing. They became more and more ambitious with the designs of their cards, which were available to buy in stationers and bookshops.

From 1879, rather than pricey single cards, people could buy cheap packs of cards from tobacconists and toy shops, often imported from Germany.

This development went hand-in-hand with the new half-penny post for postcards, and so now people of all classes could send Christmas cards to their loved ones.

Victorian Christmas Card Designs

The first cards were printed on small single sheets of card, but they soon progressed to come in all shapes and sizes.

Victorian Christmas cards were typically lithographed and hand-coloured before colour-printing took over.

Many used embossed paper, sometimes with cut-out parts to resemble lace, particularly for borders.

There were even cards decorated with ribbons, tassels, real lace, tinsel, and coloured glass.

Satin, silk and brocade were also popular materials to enhance the feel of the card.

The most exotic of cards were scented, had padded additions, and incorporated pressed flowers.

One card for sale boasted it was made of no fewer than 750 separate pieces.

If one creation reflected the Victorian love of accumulating individual beautiful materials to create an even more beautiful finished article, it was the Christmas card.

With so many possible materials being used in a single card, it is no wonder that draper's shops included them in their Christmas stock.

VICTORIAN ILLUSTRATORS WERE LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WE TODAY IMAGINE AS A CLASSIC 'CHRISTMAS SCENE'.

There was a great variety in the shape of cards, too, with the most popular ranging from the classic rectangular form to oval, circular, diamond, crescent, and bell-shaped cards.

Some cards were folded, others made into fan shapes, or they reflected the object they illustrated such as a post box or purse.

Cards might include moving parts or flaps that could be opened to reveal an additional scene or message.

Some had tabs that, when pulled, moved the legs and arms of a character on the front of the card or they had a disk that could be turned to show different scenes in a central window.

There were all kinds of subjects depicted on cards, many of which included humorous cartoons and everyday life, sometimes not at all related to Christmas.

Religious themes remained popular such as angels and scenes from the Nativity, but there was a definite shift away from these to more secular subjects as the Victorian era progressed.

Victorian illustrators were not without humour or fear of the risqué, nor did they miss the opportunity to trick the viewer with many cards showing two scenes depending on which direction the card was held.

Victorian illustrators were largely responsible for what we today imagine as a classic 'Christmas scene':

old churches and country lanes in the snow, sleigh rides, plump robins, glistening holly and mistletoe, and presents on or under the Christmas tree.

The popular snow scenes on Victorian Christmas cards reflected the string of harsh winters in England through the 1830s and 1840s.

White Christmases became much rarer thereafter, but the scene in people's imaginations was by then set.

In the same way, the Christmas food we imagine being eaten by Dickensian characters in the 19th century is, like in the cards, always golden roast turkeys and great steaming Christmas puddings the size of cannon balls.

Father Christmas was a popular figure on cards, but he evolved over the decades.

His appearance morphing from a Falstaffian character to a jolly old man with blue trousers and a crown of holly, and finally on to his definitive red suit with white fur trim.

Father Christmas' mode of transport also evolved to keep up with the times.

The Victorian Father Christmas used any means he could to reach people's chimneys, such as the popular bicycle of the 1880s, the new motor car of the 1890s, the ever-growing modern railway network, or even a hot air balloon.

Christmas cards had become such a staple part of the season that they now attracted the top artists to illustrate them, names like Linnie Watts, who produced a series of cards showing children, and Harry Payne, who drew soldiers, a poignant theme for those with loved ones serving far from home in the armed forces of the British Empire.

Cards changed over time as tastes changed.

For example, black backgrounds to make the main picture more striking were popular in the 1870s.

Cards reflected modern trends in art, too.

By the end of the century, art nouveau designs were appearing, with highly decorative designs and subjects inspired by the works of such fashionable artists as Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939).

With cards being sent around the world, the tradition quickly took root in other countries, notably in the United States from 1874, with the cards printed by Louis Prang (1824-1909), popularly known as the "Father of American Christmas Cards."

Collecting Christmas Cards

Beautifully made and capturing memories of the season, the Victorian middle classes became avid collectors of Christmas cards, which explains why it became common to have the year printed somewhere on the card.

Perhaps the most famous card collector was George Buday.

He even wrote a celebrated book on the history of Christmas cards, his The Story of the Christmas Card.

He donated his collection of over 3,000 cards to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

This museum today has over 15,000 Christmas cards in its archives and each Christmas, it reprints old Victorian designs so that they can, once more, just as in days of yore, carry people's Christmas wishes far and wide.

[whencyclopedia]

Victorian Christmas Cards

Printed Christmas cards became popular in the Victorian period (1837-1901) thanks to a combination of cheaper printing techniques and even cheaper post, with the arrival of the Penny Black postage stamp. Coming in all shapes, sizes, and materials, Christmas cards were sent in their millions to all corners of the British Empire. Victorian illustrators created an entire mythology of exactly what we imagine a European Christmas should look like with their now-classic scenes of present-covered Christmas trees, holly, robins, sleighs, and snow-covered country lanes. When we dream of a white Christmas, it is the festive cards of the 19th century which are largely responsible for that evergreen imagery.

Continue reading...

[scotianostra]

February 2nd 1782 saw the birth of James Chalmers in Arbroath - he devised the adhesive postage stamp.

Oh I hear you say I thought that it was that guy Rowland Hill and his Penny Black, nope it was a Scotsman, from the mid 1820s he began to campaign for improvements to the speed of the postal service between Edinburgh and London, eventually succeeding in reducing the time letters took by a day in each direction.

At the time the postal service was fragmented and chaotic, and Chalmers was one of a number of people seeking to bring about improvements. Two key problems revolved around the charges made for post, which varied in a highly complex way depending on the distance the item of mail was due to travel, and finding a means of showing that postage had been paid on mail.

From 1834, James Chalmers was promoting the idea of an adhesive stamp which could then be cancelled when used. Change only came, however, following the publication of a pamphlet Post Office Reform: its Importance and Practicability by Rowland Hill in 1837. In it he proposed a single rate of postage, tied to the use of adhesive stamps.

The result was the penny post, introduced in 1840 alongside the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black. Rowland Hill went on to achieve great acclaim, considerable wealth and a knighthood. James Chalmers, in contrast, died in relative obscurity in 1853 and was buried in the Howff, a burial ground in the centre of Dundee.

Pics are of Chalmers, a plaque at Castle Street Dundee, where he had his bookshop, and his grave at The Howff Cemetery in the city.

Loads more about the man here https://archive.ninetradesofdundee.co.uk/?wpfb_dl=3883

[kylieswift31]

Box of lies

"A present is on it’s way, keep your eyes peeled closely."

Just like Taylor is affectionately known as Tayliar, she has shown us time and again that she is the unreliable narrator. To give us a chance to see the love story hidden between the lines she has left a trail of breadcrumbs in obscure places like this series of skits, but you might just find that the use of mascots, symbolism and references to Taylor’s music foreshadowed more than just her muse…

The items in the box of lies game featured on the tonight show starring Jimmy Fallon are full of hidden references to Taylor's love story. Just like a game of ping pong, this skit is set up so each opponent go back and forth as they attempt to bluff each other by describing what's in their box. This typically starts with the guest picking a box from the shelf as they take turns, so these are in order unless otherwise stated.

Tina Fey part 1 and 2

Black dress

Part 1

Box 5 -colander full of ping pong balls

Box 3 -long handled fork, telescopic handle

(You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours)

Lied -red Swiss army bartender tools

Part 2

Box 7 -taxidermy squirrel

Lied -Patrick Stewart doll, 6 inches

Box 9 -facial wax strips

Box 1 -hotdog in a ziplock bag

Julia Bowen

Dark gold dress

Box 4 -wavy bowl with a taxidermy tarantula

Box 3 -black card with a tiny rubber chicken 

Lied -feather glued to paper

Box 8 -toupee in its package

Lied -replica stripper on a stage 

Melissa McCarthy

Black dress, bird necklace

Box 4 -joint in a ziplock bag

Lied -dispenser for Dixie cups

Box 6 -ransom style note written with magazine letters 

“mElisSa mcCartTy is aWesomE!”

Lied -Fort Lauderdale magnet

Box 7 -Jane Fonda workout VHS in a large focaccia sandwich

Jenifer Lawrence

Dark blue dress

Box 9 -Rubik's cube inside jelly

Box 3 -Full house Jesse barbie doll box and doll, Hershey kisses

Lied -back street boys action figure

Box 4 -egg roll burrito in a birds nest

Lied -mini horse, flinstone vitamins

Kate Hudson part 1 and 2

Black dress, white details

Part 1

Box 7 -bowl of pennies and a spoon

Box 6 -orange burger and fries, American flag pick

Lied- tiny slot machine, three Harry Styles heads as jackpot

Part 2

Box 4 -plate of yellow jello, turtle 

“What’s like a turtle, but not a turtle?”

(part 1 = hare and part 2 = tortoise)

Kerry Washington

Blue and white half dress

Box 4 -pumpkin full of spaghetti

Box 3 -necklace with troll dolls

Lied -iPhone 6+, figurine, Justin Bieber tattoo

Emma Stone

Black and white shirt and skirt 

Box 4 -tray with a ‘frozen poster’ frozen in an ice block

Lied -3-4 instruction cards from a deck of cards that you throw out before you play the game, stacked in the shape of a salamander 🦎 

Box 5 -faux plastic hand with watch

Lied -plate with a tiny squirrel surfing on lettuce

Channing Tatum

“First male guest ever to play this game”

Box 3 -jello on a blue plate with a Chewbacca action figure inside

Lied -bowl of chilli frozen in gelatine 

Box 2 -hot water bottle wrapped in sports bandage

Lied -sugar cube, teabag thread, sticker that says “lick me or legalise it”

Box 4 -baby ET swaddled in pink crown patterned sleeping bag 

Nicole Kidman

Black striped dress 

Box 4 -fed ex book with a piece of pizza stuck on front

Lied -old cheese sandwich with bite taken out

Box 2 -hammer covered in postage stamps 

Lied -3 pound statue

Box 8 -box of matches and red matchbox car

Lied -condom

Scarlett Johansson

White dress

Box 4 -Scarlett and Gumby on a park bench

Lied -hotdog bun shaped like the hulk

Box 5 -mannequin head, goggles filled with balls

Box 3 -“people love this number!” 

Starbucks iced coffee filled with baked beans

Heidi Klum

Black dress

Box 3 -fireball whiskey minis in a pink claw bath

Lied -butterfly shadow box with chewed gum (lego house reference?)

“That’s cinnamon whiskey” (both take a shot)

“You’re my best friend!” -Jimmy 

Box 8 -slinky full of Monopoly money, $1 on front

Lied -jello mould, Justin Bieber doll head 

Box 7 -grass, rubber red lips 

Lied -burrito, started over and told the truth

Julianne Moore

White dress suit

Box 1 -(meek voice) Oscar the grouch, MAGA hat

Box 9 -naked Ken doll wearing roller skates

Lied -book, Jimmy, macaroni, abc

“You should give me the Oscar”

Box 5 -“it’s like a zeitgeist thing” (talking about box 5)

Friends forever photo frame of Julianne and Jimmy

Lied -silver paddle brush, knitted sock cozy

Adele

Black dress, red details

Box 2 -t-rex in cowboy outfit

Lied -t-Rex dressed as a fairy

Box 5 -Simon button game, 💚❤️💙💛 wheel, four noses attached to each one, 💙 is 🤥 (Tayliar)

Lied -GI Joe dressed as Santa, candy cane Chinese throwing star

Box 9 -giraffe, 3 doughnuts as a necklace

Vince Vaughn

Box 9 -Hulk in a bowl of crayons 

Box 8 -jelly bean taco

“You like Jim Carrey?”

Lied -ruler made out of a celery stick

Russell Crowe

Box 7 -toy xylophone, Australian dogs (pairs)

Box 3 -junk drawer

“Empty roll of scotch tape”

Box 5 -starfish, plastic hands on tips

(Jimmy highlights his pinky ring) 

Lena Dunham

Black dress, diamond shaped earrings

Box 4 -Leo DiCaprio leaflets that say 'Frances McDormand'

Lied -Banana, sideshow bob hair, raisin nose

Box 9 -chariot helmet full of rubber duckies

Lied -Barbie hot tub, 3 Brady bunch kids

Box 1 -red Grimm’s fairytales book with tree trunks on the cover

Pull tab to reveal a Tennessee whiskey bottle

Matt Damon

Box 4 -Gnome bonsai

Lied -slinky, phallic symbol, pinnochio 

Box 3 -glass piggy bank full of shrimp

Lied -hot tub, Luke Skywalker

“Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Justin Bieber in a bathtub”

Emily Blunt

Black dress

Box 4 -record player with pizza as the record

Box 3 -a number 3 box within another number 3 box etc

Pretended it was heavy "why would they put that on the top shelf?"

(Russian doll style box of lies boxes)

Box 5 -“you’re acting like you’ve seen this before”

Monster in a clown costume

Lied -my little pony with a syringe stuck in it

Megyn Kelly

Maroon dress

Box 4 -iPhones body, deer head and dinosaur tail

Box 6 -furby with a beer hat

Box 8 -deck of cards with flubber tube through the middle.

Jack of spades as the back card ♠️

Alec Baldwin

Purple shirt

Box 9 -baby gummy bear, dummy, blanket

Box 4 -plastic glove full of olives and wearing a wedding ring

Lied -shavings of pickle, tiny door mat “ermehgerd welcome”

Box 1 -Chewbacca mask, blonde wig

Lied -burrito filled with bananas, Trump joke

Gal Gadot

Gold dress

Box 5 -lucky Chinese cat, cats rule giant hand

Lied -plastic elephant trunk

Box 2 -pineapple, giant ears, purple top

Lied -cabbage patch doll head, cheerio afro 

Box 7 -plastic foot, ski slope

Ends with guy doing Wonder Woman dance

Halle Berry

Maroon red dress, Jimmy wearing a pink spotted tie

Box 3 -blank CD tower cake, 1 piece sliced, 5 candles

Lied -elephant, snake wrapped around it

Box 5 -red faced moustache, pencil sharpener machine, pretzel matchsticks to feed it

Box 4 -(put box 3 back in box 4 space on purpose)

“I know a magic trick when I see one. Something just happened”

24 hour dry cleaning shop, characters lined up

“This has got a lot of characters involved”

Margot Robbie

Maroon dress, gold necklaces

Box 4 -“saucy” red lobster

Lied -Jimmy’s head, Jessica rabbit’s body, bobble head “giant”

Box 6 -large hotdog, feet bun, rice, mustard

Lied -ice cream, baseball hat, Trump hair

Box 2 -Egg and nest, face picture of Nicholas Cage

Lied -salad dish, paperweight, bandaids, toy car

Cardi B

Bronze dress

Box 4 -picket fence, grass circle, rolling fluffy balls

Said “Not a peen*” and Jimmy walks away (cat balls)

Box 3 -cowboy pug, Freddy Kruger claw and outfit

(She was pregnant and standoffish)

Chris Pratt

Plaid shirt and suit

“Pick the first box, box, box”

Box 4 -five garden gnomes (dwarfs) in a yoga class

Box 6 -jurassic park, Jello, Geoff Goldblum

Box 5 -spinning ballerina dinosaur

Lied -bedazzled raccoon/fox skull with sharp teeth

John Cena

Blue suit, orange tie

Box 4 -open and twist cosmetic lipstick

“It’s something bejewelled”

Jimmy opened it to reveal a tiny hand

“You shanghaied me!”

Box 3 -praying mantis, bees skipping double Dutch

"Two doubles" "Welcome to my world"

Box 1 -orange head, tap🚰 and blue bandana

Lied -red and black 1970’s Chevy car, the Fonz

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Black dress, string tied sides, red ring

Box 4 -Stormtrooper, rocking chair, knitting, lamp, cat

Lied -“are you familiar with a closet?”

A horse, huge collection of sandals and heels

Box 3 -table tennis paddle (red side) plugged into a power socket that’s been ripped from the wall

Lied -two contestants from the masked singer, in a tiny hot tub of jello

Box 2 -paint brush, hair with braided ends

"Am I familiar with a closet? Yes." -Jimmy

Chance the Rapper

Blue shirt, khaki pants, red stripe, b+w hat

Box 5 -box of lies set, box for head, head for box

“That is so meta, dude!” 

Box 2 -furby, ipod, ostrich egg nest, headphones

Lied -taco shell filled with papa Smurfs 

Box 4 -pretended it was empty “antelope grazing” -Jimmy

Pickles strung up like a link of sausages

Emilia Clarke

Black suit, red ring 

Box 4 - Coffin, Dracula corn dog, open coffin

Lied -small frog wearing a monocle (mr peanut)

"What should I pick? (Uno!) Uno?"

Box 3 -McDonald’s fries, open burger, hockey puck and sticks

Lied -Donald Trump, lady and the tramp scene

Box 2 -salad bowl full of money, one dollar notes

Blake Lively

Black dress, rings, diamond earrings

“I feel like I’m on the price is right!”

Box 4 -Time turner sand timer, rainbow cereal, milk

Box 3 -the Rock on a rock (alfalfa reference from Blake?)

Lied -brass matte mask, dead pool head on top

Swapped items “I just activated the cereal” -Jimmy

Box 5 -Devin Sawa J14 “pedestal” chilli bird pecker in a park

Kate Beckingsale

White dress, hugged

Box 5 -corndog bouquet, faux pink carnations

“I’ve never touched a corn dog before”

Box 6 -Nintendo console, grilled cheese hunt game

Box 2 -(Jimmy again) mini skateboard, Easter bunny peeps, each holding signs that spell “sup?” (purple, pink, yellow, blue bunnies)

Lied -little dolls, olympic medals, frosted mini wheats, podium

"We have to try American cereals!" -Jimmy

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas 2 years 🖤

Red wet leather dress "doing this with heels is not good"

Box 5 -pumpkin jacuzzi, three people inside, mix of Star Wars and horror movie characters (Halloween, Jarjar Binks, Friday 13th), holding red nail polish bottle and blue nail polish bottles

Box 3 -Cream lunch box, marriage story poster and rotating scene inside like a ballerina music box

Box 1 -basketball court game, devils vs nuns, orange ball

Lied -turtle, hamburger shell, lives inside the burger

"the turtle lives in the burger"

Taylor Swift

White dress

Box 1 -binoculars, corn, 'I see corn' lanyard (picture to burn)

Lied -Selena Gomez 'wizards of Waverly place' DVD

Box 5 -Chewbacca walking a black beetle in a park, girl on picnic blanket holding a rubber chicken, lady walking a pug on the grass

Lied -family of pinecones playing trouble

"We're the worst poker players. We shouldn't even be allowed outside!"

Box 3 -grey book, biography written by Grimace, picture of his character on the front, 'my life under the golden arches', pull tab with burger and fries inside

Hugh Jackman

And Jimmy Kimmel as the host

Box 3 -barber shop with wolverine character, checkerboard floor

Box 6 -shrimp cocktail birthday cake (Hugh and Ryan reference)

Millie Bobby Brown

Purple outfit, feathery neckline

Box 4 -ET painting, stranger things monster painting with her rainbow makeup palette (IET phone home)

Emphasised ET and Elliot character. “Why mess with the best”

Box 2 -spaghetti and baseballs

Lied -said that it was Elon Musk’s head

Box 5 -baby Yoda, pink outfit, writing on shirt, writing says 'this is the namast-way'

Lied -croc shoe, pasta, watermelon sour patch kid

Box 3 -“lets do it!” baseball hat, pink peptobismal, hot sauce (sriracha)

“I learned from the best!” -Jimmy

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega 1 year ago 🖤

Black dress

Jenna also hosting SNL with 1975. Jimmy said ‘too late’ repeatedly

Box 3 -park scene, cousin it, corgi, trash can, Chewbacca vanity fair magazine

Jimmy dressed as a cowboy in the audience screaming “two!”

Box 5 -Mona Lisa painting, dressed as Woody, cowboy hat, sports flag (similar to Taylor's vintage cat head portraits)

Lied - said that it was colonel sanders from KFC

Box 1 -cowboy hat, racer wheels, Elvis bobble head, marshmallow

Lied -said that it was Peter Pan in a suit and a Leonard Cohen hat

Julia Roberts

Box 5 -Alf on the shelf, peppermint candy

-Peppermint candy picture frame, "Christmas gift to take home?"

(Pretends to smoke and flicks the ash -Matty reference?)

Box 2 -hair dye for the greying grinch, grey and green before and after samples on display "very niche audience"

Lied -bathtub with five barbie dolls, George Santos head

Box 1 -tinned baloney spaghetti, split the points: “first time ever”

Baloney: a lie without caring if it’s true or false

Seth McFarlane

Box 4 -anti hero funeral scene for the cool aid man, 2 apple juice boxes, cool aid man portrait, purple flowers

Lie -Bradley Cooper's nose on a bed of lettuce

Box 2 -heavy, CEO beat magazine, C3PO on cover with tech CEOs

Lied -clothes pin doll, brother and sister, Osmonds scissoring?

"Would broadcast standards on NBC allow that?" -Seth

Box 3 -painting of skunks drinking beer, yellow dunk tank

Demi Moore

Demi Moore 2 weeks 🤍

Pink dress, Questlove wearing pink too

Box 1 -broccoli tree house, angry tomato, ‘no tomatoez allowed’ sign

“Liar, liar, pants on fire” (rotten tomatoes reference?)

Box 5 -class of 1700 yearbook, message to Beethoven from Mozart, Dude!

Lied -yogurt leaflet, small Yoda

Box 3 -Flip phone on the beach, iPhone lounge chair, margarita, cocktail and umbrella, shoes, Mickey Mouse hands

I didn't have enough room to add anymore photos, but feel free to check out the videos for yourself.

"You don't know what you don't know" ✌🏼👩🏼👩🏼‍🦰

A tortured poet,

Kylie x

[susato-mikotoba-blog]

Tell us a fun fact about Great Britain!

The first postage stamp was introduced in May 1840. The first stamp was issued in Great Britain and was called “the Penny Black”!

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.6 (before 1940)

1527 – Spanish and German troops sack Rome; many scholars consider this the end of the Renaissance. 1536 – The Siege of Cuzco commences, in which Incan forces attempt to retake the city of Cuzco from the Spanish. 1541 – King Henry VIII orders English-language Bibles be placed in every church. In 1539 the Great Bible would be provided for this purpose. 1542 – Francis Xavier reaches Old Goa, the capital of Portuguese India at the time. 1594 – The Dutch city of Coevorden held by the Spanish, falls to a Dutch and English force. 1659 – English Restoration: A faction of the British Army removes Richard Cromwell as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth and reinstalls the Rump Parliament. 1682 – Louis XIV of France moves his court to the Palace of Versailles. 1757 – Battle of Prague: A Prussian army fights an Austrian army in Prague during the Seven Years' War. 1757 – The end of Konbaung–Hanthawaddy War, and the end of Burmese Civil War (1740–1757). 1757 – English poet Christopher Smart is admitted into St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics in London, beginning his six-year confinement to mental asylums. 1782 – Construction begins on the Grand Palace, the royal residence of the King of Siam in Bangkok, at the command of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke. 1801 – Captain Thomas Cochrane in the 14-gun HMS Speedy captures the 32-gun Spanish frigate El Gamo. 1835 – James Gordon Bennett, Sr. publishes the first issue of the New York Herald. 1840 – The Penny Black postage stamp becomes valid for use in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. 1857 – The East India Company disbands the 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry whose sepoy Mangal Pandey had earlier revolted against the British in the lead up to the War of Indian Independence. 1861 – American Civil War: Arkansas secedes from the Union. 1863 – American Civil War: The Battle of Chancellorsville ends with the defeat of the Army of the Potomac by the Army of Northern Virginia. 1877 – Chief Crazy Horse of the Oglala Lakota surrenders to United States troops in Nebraska. 1882 – Thomas Henry Burke and Lord Frederick Cavendish are stabbed to death by Fenian assassins in Phoenix Park, Dublin. 1882 – The United States Congress passes the Chinese Exclusion Act. 1889 – The Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public at the Universal Exposition in Paris. 1901 – The first issue of Gorkhapatra, the oldest still running state-owned Nepali newspaper was published. 1906 – The Russian Constitution of 1906 is adopted (on April 23 by the Julian calendar). 1910 – George V becomes King of Great Britain, Ireland, and many overseas territories, on the death of his father, Edward VII. 1915 – Babe Ruth, then a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, hits his first major league home run. 1915 – Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition: The SY Aurora broke loose from its anchorage during a gale, beginning a 312-day ordeal. 1916 – Twenty-one Lebanese nationalists are executed in Martyrs' Square, Beirut by Djemal Pasha. 1916 – Vietnamese Emperor Duy Tân is captured while calling upon the people to rise up against the French, and is later deposed and exiled to Réunion island. 1933 – The Deutsche Studentenschaft attacked Magnus Hirschfeld's Institut für Sexualwissenschaft, later burning many of its books. 1935 – New Deal: Under the authority of the newly-enacted Federal Emergency Relief Administration, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issues Executive Order 7034 to create the Works Progress Administration. 1937 – Hindenburg disaster: The German zeppelin Hindenburg catches fire and is destroyed within a minute while attempting to dock at Lakehurst, New Jersey. Thirty-six people are killed.

[juliehowlin]

Postage stamps

In 1841, a woman decided she wanted to make decorative paper for her dressing table out of Penny Blacks. People were more than happy to send her their used stamps for free so she could do it. You can imagine how much her decorative paper is worth now!

10 things you might not know about postage stamps:

[ainews]

In a world of emails, text messages, and instantaneous communication, old-fashioned postage stamps have largely been relegated to the back of envelopes. Yet for many it is the stamp alone that holds pride of place for conveying emotion and sentiment to recipients of postcards, parcels, and packages.

The stamp, though unseemly and often overlooked, is a potent symbol of the archival power of the written word and the serious responsibility an author has in giving her words a life beyond an often short-lived digital record.

The archival power of the stamp makes it more than just a postage tool. To be designated as worthy of an archival value, an item must be “enduring”. Lasting beyond a few weeks or months — and, at times, even surviving decades — stamps are used to signify important moments in our lives and are instrumental in preserving family memories.

Indeed, stamps have been a fixture of the archivist’s job for centuries. The British Royal Archives contain a vast array of letters and documents, each recorded with the stamp with which it was sent. The archive contains a wide variety of stamps, from the United Kingdom’s iconic Penny Black to stamps from a bygone era. The U.S. Library of Congress also preserves myriad stamps, such as those of the world’s first foreign post — the postmark of Constantinople in 1290; the Thurn and Taxis post of 1704; and the United States’ own post, established in 1775.

For all their ability to transport us to a moment in time, a stamp can also be a reminder of people, places, and moments that have passed away. They can evoke emotions of fear, sadness, joy, nostalgia, or just a fading memory. With the right stamp, a seemingly ordinary postcard or letter can become an irreplaceable piece of family history.

Ultimately, stamps are an often overlooked but compelling part of archival records. They are an important touchstone to the past and a powerful way of preserving pieces of our shared history.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Source: Irishtimes

First piece of mail sent with postage stamp could fetch up to $2.5M at auction | ABS-CBN News

29 January 2024

The first known piece of mail sent using a postage stamp is about to hit the auction block at Sotheby's New York and could fetch up to $2.5 million.

— Report from Reuters

[delhidarshan1]

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of History: The National Philatelic Museum in Delhi

In the bustling heart of India's capital, amidst the grandeur of New Delhi's historic landmarks, lies a hidden gem that takes visitors on a journey through time using miniature canvases of history. The National Philatelic Museum, nestled within the vibrant fabric of Delhi, offers an enchanting exploration of the world through postage stamps. This unique museum is a captivating testament to the art, culture, and history of philately, beckoning enthusiasts and curious minds alike.

A Glimpse into History

The National Philatelic Museum, managed by India Post, is a treasure trove of knowledge and nostalgia. Housed in a colonial-era building that exudes timeless charm, the museum welcomes visitors to a bygone era when written letters and postcards were the lifeblood of communication.

The World of Philately Unveiled

Philately, the art of collecting and studying postage stamps, finds its haven in this museum. It caters to both neophytes and connoisseurs, providing a comprehensive view of the evolution of postage stamps and their profound impact on preserving history.

The museum's collection spans centuries, boasting a remarkable assembly of rare and valuable stamps that narrate tales of nations, leaders, and pivotal events. From the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the "Penny Black" of Great Britain, to India's iconic "Scinde Dawk" stamps, each exhibit serves as a gateway to the past.

Stamps as Windows to History

Stamps, despite their diminutive size, are windows to the past. The National Philatelic Museum showcases stamps as historical artifacts that encapsulate the essence of their times. Visitors can marvel at stamps commemorating renowned personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, delve into India's arduous struggle for independence, and gain profound insights into the nation's rich cultural tapestry. Furthermore, the museum houses an extensive collection of international stamps, inviting visitors on a global odyssey through philately.

Educational Initiatives

The National Philatelic Museum isn't merely a place for passive observation; it actively promotes philately as a hobby and an educational tool. It hosts a plethora of workshops, seminars, and philatelic exhibitions that engage people of all ages. These initiatives not only nurture an appreciation for stamp collecting but also serve as a unique educational resource, shedding light on history, geography, and culture through the lens of stamps.

Interactive Exhibits

Visitors to the National Philatelic Museum can expect interactive exhibits that breathe life into the world of philately. Hands-on displays, informative placards, and multimedia presentations enhance the experience, making it both educational and entertaining.

The Museum's Role in Preserving Heritage

The National Philatelic Museum plays a pivotal role in preserving India's postal heritage. It safeguards valuable philatelic treasures and ensures that future generations can continue to explore the rich history encapsulated in stamps.

Conclusion

The National Philatelic Museum in Delhi is a captivating testament to the power of postage stamps as storytellers of history. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the past, celebrating the artistry, culture, and significance of these tiny yet powerful symbols. Whether you're a philatelist, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the world, this museum in the heart of Delhi is a must-visit destination that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the fascinating world of philately.

[scotianostra]

February 2nd 1782 saw the birth of James Chalmers in Arbroath - he devised the adhesive postage stamp.

Chalmers trained as a weaver. In 1809 he moved to Dundee, where he set up as a bookseller, printer and newspaper publisher on Castle Street. Increasingly part of the Dundee establishment, he went on to become a Burgh Councillor and served as Convener of the Nine Incorporated Trades. He became a strong supporter of the reform of local politics and, unsurprisingly given his business, campaigned for the repeal of taxes on newspapers and newspaper adverts.

From the mid 1820s he began to campaign for improvements to the speed of the postal service between Edinburgh and London, eventually succeeding in reducing the time letters took by a day in each direction. At the time the postal service was fragmented and chaotic, and Chalmers was one of a number of people seeking to bring about improvements. Two key problems revolved around the charges made for post, which varied in a highly complex way depending on the distance the item of mail was due to travel, and finding a means of showing that postage had been paid on mail. From 1834, James Chalmers was promoting the idea of an adhesive stamp which could then be cancelled when used.

Change only came, however, following the publication of a pamphlet Post Office Reform: its Importance and Practicability by Rowland Hill in 1837. In it he proposed a single rate of postage, tied to the use of adhesive stamps. The result was the penny post, introduced in 1840 alongside the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black. Rowland Hill went on to achieve great acclaim, considerable wealth and a knighthood. James Chalmers, in contrast, died in relative obscurity in 1853 and was buried in the Howff, a burial ground in the centre of Dundee.

[johnjhalseth]

The Penny Black. The worlds 1st adhesive postage stamp. 

https://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/

https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/the-queen%E2%80%99s-own-postal-reforms-that-transformed-the-mail-the-worlds-first-postage-stamps

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Black

[thechildrensmuseum]

While it may be National U.S. Postage Stamp Day, we want to pay homage to the Penny Black as it was the world’s first adhesive postage stamp and we have one in our collection!

[dharaastamps]

https://dharaastamps.co.in/shop/postage-stamps/worldwide-stamps/#worldwide-fdc-covers-worldwide-stamps/#world-#first#-#postage#-#stamps#-on-#cover#-#black#-#penny#-#1840#-dated-7th-nov-used-rare-2/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CWFfPAdvSIj/?utm_medium=tumblr

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.1 (before 1950)

305 – Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman emperor. 880 – The Nea Ekklesia is inaugurated in Constantinople, setting the model for all later cross-in-square Orthodox churches. 1169 – Norman mercenaries land at Bannow Bay in Leinster, marking the beginning of the Norman invasion of Ireland. 1328 – Wars of Scottish Independence end: By the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton, England recognises Scotland as an independent state. 1486 – Christopher Columbus presents his plans discovering a western route to the Indies to the Spanish Queen Isabella I of Castile. 1707 – The Act of Union joining England and Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain takes effect. 1753 – Publication of Species Plantarum by Linnaeus, and the formal start date of plant taxonomy adopted by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. 1807 – The Slave Trade Act 1807 takes effect, abolishing the slave trade within the British Empire. 1820 – Execution of the Cato Street Conspirators, who plotted to kill the British Cabinet and Prime Minister Lord Liverpool. 1840 – The Penny Black, the first official adhesive postage stamp, is issued in the United Kingdom. 1844 – Hong Kong Police Force, the world's second modern police force and Asia's first, is established. 1846 – The few remaining Mormons left in Nauvoo, Illinois, formally dedicate the Nauvoo Temple. 1851 – Queen Victoria opens The Great Exhibition at The Crystal Palace in London. 1863 – American Civil War: The Battle of Chancellorsville begins. 1865 – The Empire of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay sign the Treaty of the Triple Alliance. 1866 – The Memphis Race Riots begin. In three days time, 46 blacks and two whites were killed. Reports of the atrocities influenced passage of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. 1885 – The original Chicago Board of Trade Building opens for business. 1886 – Rallies are held throughout the United States demanding the eight-hour work day, culminating in the Haymarket affair in Chicago, in commemoration of which May 1 is celebrated as International Workers' Day in many countries. 1894 – Coxey's Army, the first significant American protest march, arrives in Washington, D.C. 1896 – Naser al-Din, Shah of Iran, is assassinated in Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine by Mirza Reza Kermani, a follower of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani. 1898 – Spanish–American War: Battle of Manila Bay: The Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy destroys the Pacific Squadron of the Spanish Navy after a seven-hour battle. Spain loses all seven of its ships, and 381 Spanish sailors die. There are no American vessel losses or combat deaths. 1900 – The Scofield Mine disaster kills over 200 men in Scofield, Utah in what is to date the fifth-worst mining accident in United States history. 1915 – The RMS Lusitania departs from New York City on her 202nd, and final, crossing of the North Atlantic. Six days later, the ship is torpedoed off the coast of Ireland with the loss of 1,198 lives. 1919 – German troops enter Munich to suppress the Bavarian Soviet Republic. 1921 – The Jaffa riots commence. 1925 – The All-China Federation of Trade Unions is officially founded. Today it is the largest trade union in the world, with 134 million members. 1929 – The 7.2 Mw  Kopet Dag earthquake shakes the Iran–Turkmenistan border region with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), killing up to 3,800 and injuring 1,121. 1930 – "Pluto" is officially proposed for the name of the newly discovered dwarf planet by Vesto Slipher in the Lowell Observatory Observation Circular. The name quickly catches on. 1931 – The Empire State Building is dedicated in New York City. 1945 – World War II: Up to 2,500 people die in a mass suicide in Demmin following the advance of the Red Army. 1946 – Start of three-year Pilbara strike of Indigenous Australians.

[whencyclopedia]

Victorian Christmas Cards

Printed Christmas cards became popular in the Victorian period (1837-1901) thanks to a combination of cheaper printing techniques and even cheaper post, with the arrival of the Penny Black postage stamp. Coming in all shapes, sizes, and materials, Christmas cards were sent in their millions to all corners of the British Empire. Victorian illustrators created an entire mythology of exactly what we imagine a European Christmas should look like with their now-classic scenes of present-covered Christmas trees, holly, robins, sleighs, and snow-covered country lanes. When we dream of a white Christmas, it is the festive cards of the 19th century which are largely responsible for that evergreen imagery.

19th-Century Christmas Card

Victoria and Albert Museum, London (See Original Source)

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