Holiday Postage Dates
And some fresh vintage finds
I always think I’m prepared for last postage dates before everyone hibernates for Christmas and New Year but the truth is I only just manage to get my own Christmas cards sent off in time. It’s a different matter, of course, where packages for customers are concerned and I’ve checked online and double-checked with the helpful lady at my local post office. So this year the last posting date for the UK is Wednesday 18th December. The last date for the USA is 13th for standard mail and 16th December for Europe & FedEx worldwide.
A few years ago I bought a little book on poster archives, GPO Design Posters by Paul Rennie. It describes how the Royal Mail became a major patron of art and design during the 1930s, in Britain. It commissioned emerging illustrators as well as known artists such as Paul Nash, Duncan Grant and Frank Pick - designer of the London tube map.
The poster above was produced for Christmas 1941, by the GPO (General Post Office) as it was called back then. Coincidently Dec 18th is also this year’s last posting date!
New Vintage Stock
As a subscriber to the Love Vintage Etc. newsletter you get a first look at fresh stock before it hits the website and on Monday I drove north to source paintings and vintage pieces. Here’s some of what will be available online on Wednesday. These can be sent by FedEx to reach you in time for Christmas and there’s still plenty of time for standard post in the UK.
This lovely study of an interior scene of a mackerel on a blue plate with pear is painted in oils in a palette of vermillion, dark grey and black with blue detailing. The artwork also has a still-life study on the reverse of a table set with fruit and flowers. Painted in vibrant colours both artworks have a lovely mid-century feel. Cornish School, measures 54cm x 36cm. Oil on wooden board and framed in a vintage frame painted in a pale pinky-brown shade. £165.
In the detail
This Victorian cranberry glass perfume bottle has been intricately engraved with images of a grand garden and a white hart, on the reverse. Complete with its original faceted glass stopper, £45. And a lovely mustard yellow vintage French Tian bowl, measuring 30cm in diameter. £65.
Vintage Hungarian, terracotta pitcher measuring 17.5cm tall x 9cm in diameter. Decorated with hand painted flowers and looks lovely with winter greenery, £35.
A Delft-style serving platter with hand painted blue flowers, measures 33.2cm x 22cm. Perfect for Christmas canapés, vegetables or pasta. £28.
See anything that catches your eye? Just send me an email x
That’s it for today’s short note. Be sure to keep a look out for the January newsletter in your inbox towards the end of December. It’ll be a bumper post to ease you into the new year - with interior inspiration and travel recommendations. Thank you for reading and for your continued support which is always hugely appreciated. Until next time, Michelle x
