And A Very Happy New Year!

Auld Lang Syne - is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, but based on an older Scottish folk song. It is traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year, and translates into standard English as 'old long since' i.e. long, long ago.

So here's for the sake of old times, but may the new times be (even) better!

Dress Me Up!

I always wanted to be a fashion designer (even though I am not that fashionable myself heh). My mum has always been good at sewing, there were editions of Burda (German magazine with sewing patterns) lying around and I started drawing designs at the age of 9 or 10 (I remember having a notebook full of sketches, but unfortunately my mum is also a 'terminator' - she throws away stuff easily, and I hardly own anything of sentimental value from the pre- and early-school era because I wasn't quick enough to hide stuff from her). Anyways...I had a very nostalgic flashback when I saw this postcard in a shop in Germany - this is also the kind of stuff I used to do, because during my childhood in Yugoslavia magazines for kids used to have this 'cut-out fashion'; you'd first cut out a paper 'mannequin' and then all these different clothes that you'd 'dress' her with. Soon enough I started to make my own models and clothes. I do wish I managed to keep at least some of it!

I wonder if anyone else remembers or has done this..?

Miss Gabrielle Ray

I caught myself daydreaming of Christmas Markets (not that far to go, only a month!) and snow and coats and boots...and how I wish to go somewhere, just go...At least Zagreb is near and has a splendid Xmas Market..! In the meantime, here is a snowy vintage postcard with a new name to me, though she seems to have been extremely popular during the 1st decade of the 20th century - Gabrielle Ray, an English stage actress, dancer and singer, best known for her roles in Edwardian musical comedies. It makes me hum to myself 'jin-gle-bells jin-gle-bells'....

Vintage Southampton

Has it been two weeks already? I wonder where the time went, hmm. Anyways! To break the silence, here are first two vintage postcards showing England's Southampton. As it was the turn-around port while working on the ship, I have gotten to know this place quite well - well at least the shopping area... After a while I've realised there is more history to it than I've imagined, and I've almost missed it. Also, I do love these type of old posties :)

Vintage Donkey Postcards

A selection of old donkey postcards was a surprise from Claudia some time ago - imagine my reaction :D

In The Wheat Field

One of the older postcards, sent as a birthday card. Back in the day non-view cards were easier to obtain, now its a proper challenge. I find it interesting that it was printed in Zagreb but it says: um Brugge, Belgium (on the back). In any case these kind of postcards make me feel rather nostalgic...Even if I'm not an overly romantic individual ;)

A Pint Of Guinness

At least I think its a pint..! Once you get into a Guinness store you are spoilt for choice, not only regarding postcards. I have tasted Guinness once, and that was a long time ago (13+ years) so maybe now I wouldn't find it as odd as I did back then lol In fact I prefer darker brews these days. Cheers!

Le Charme à la Française

I am curious about myself right now, and the reasons why I've chosen to send this postcard from Monaco...my guess is (as my memory does the usual fail) that the view cards were similar to what I already have. I do remember the little cute shop though, and other sweet things they were selling - I ended up with a lavender soap souvenir in a kitty box :) 

I was in Monaco once before but suuuch a long time ago, it was the high-school excursion and we stopped there on our way to Barcelona. Needless to say it was all new to me...It is possible we didn't venture to the old town back then as we were in the Casino Monte Carlo area; this time I only walked around the old town. Let me see if I have any interesting photos to show...Oh yes this place was positively surprising, the sea side of the Oceanographic Museum:

Ladies First!

...that is the title for it I've found on a single web-site depicting this card...I thought at the first glance this was a car, but is indeed a tandem motorcycle. 'The Parisian motorbike La Jumella in 1922, with trailing and leading arms suspensions , front and rear dampers.' Lovely photo, merci Eva :)

Vintage Donkeys (1907) USA

Its been so long I've forgotten how I got to have this little treasure...but it must be one of the oldest, if not THE oldest donkey postcard in my collection. West Virginia 1907, whoa!

Rijksmuseum Vintage

The Rijksmuseum  is a Netherlands national museum dedicated to arts and history, situated in Amsterdam. It was founded in The Hague in 1800 and moved to Amsterdam in 1808; the current main building was designed by Pierre Cuypers and first opened its doors in 1885 - on 13 April 2013, after a ten-year renovation which cost € 375 million, the main building was reopened by Queen Beatrix.

This postcard shows the north facade at the turn of the last century.

 

Vintage Gang

 

It was a lovely surprise from a friend, thank you Elsie xx

Galata Bridge, 19th Century Istanbul

I haven't included a postcard from Turkey for a while...I really like this vintage view, I can only imagine the life in 19th cent. Istanbul, it must have been a far more exotic place than in this modernised era! I think of the explorations, trading, Agatha christie's novels and Indiana Jones adventures...Thank you Marina and Nenad :)

 

Man And Donkey From Prilep

What a wonderful surprise in my mailbox today!! Reprint of a vintage postcard showing a street scene in Macedonian town Prilep from the last century's 20's. Loving everything about this card...hvala bossita! :)))

Vintage Young Donkee

This poor fella also got a bit ruined by moisture but nothing too serious..! Not sure about the translation - 'How ungrateful! (He told me to wait?)' Maybe someone can help me with the translation as google doesn't make much sense! :/ In any case many thanks to Jemma for another great swap and for thinking of me when she saw this cute donkey - and look, little prince George already on the stamps ;))

Vintage Photographs Of Puerto Pollensa

These beautiful photographs are work of the local author Arxiu Bestard, taken in and around Puerto Pollensa, northern Mallorca. Of course they don't accidentally feature donkeys, they have been picked out with care ;) I do love them being a testament of life on the island at the turn of the last century...

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

 

A vintage take on 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil',  proverbial principle usually associated with the Three Wise Monkeys. The photo originates from ca.1930 but the author is yet unindentified...I may say I simply love it, thank you Michelle :)

Seriously Vintage Donkeys, USA

After a short break, to get back in the game, here are some vintage donkey cards from dear Lori. Love the written and stamped back! Always fishing for such cards at second hand shops and markets :)))

Riding A Donkey In 19th Century China

This card was sent to me from Finland for a private swap - I love the vintage look with colour accents! A reprint of a photography from 1887, printed in China. I was thrilled to discover this one, thank you Sini/Saint!

Vintage Donkeys - Venezuela

It was quite the story with the ebay-donkeys...i only expected to see the 'usual' countries: Spain, Greece, Italy...so i had this pile in my hands, and was going thru it, and was really happy :) and then the last card came along and i had to rub my eyes to believe the surprise: a vintage w&s card from Venezuela! After sobering up and checking the front, another quite bizzare surprise - the person the card was addressed to is Agi!!!

This card was sent on 15/11/73 to an address in Germany :)