Thursday, December 15, 2011

Vintage Stamps and Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String



This tin of vintage stamps arrived at the beach house last week.  My mum is renovating my old bedroom.  Last time she did that, was when I moved to Perth for the duration of the Americas Cup 25 years ago, so it was time.  The Laura Ashley salmon pink and sapphire blue has run its race and has been pushed aside for a  more contemporary look.  The result being, that I am taking delivery of a life time of collecting that my mother no longer has room for.


I have been a collector all my life and fondly remember soaking the paper off the back of these stamps in the little mosaic tiled 60's blue bathroom,in the house that my mother still lives.  Laying them out to dry on towels on the floor and when they had, sorting them according to country, colour and value.


It was very nostalgic to go back through these lovely little pieces of art and to note their social history.  I found all the Christmas stamps in the tin and was very interested in their depiction of the way we were.  The powers that be in Australia were obviously very late to the party when it came to the social revolution of the 60s.  This 1965 stamp depicts a religious motif, which seems to progress well into the 1970's


A religious motif was still being used in 1967 with the use of the Gothic Church facade icons.  Although the Australian native Christmas Bell is super imposed over the top.


We were still using religious icons in 1970 with Madonna and child.  This would never get a run today in Australia as we are very much a multi cultural, multi religious country and like to see ourselves as very tolerant of everyone's beliefs!!!!


So by 1977 we had moved on to the surfing Santa.  Here we are starting to develop more of our own identity, dropping the religious aspects and making the event more homogeneous with Santa at the Beach, which is distinctly Australian.  At this time Australians had just thrown out a very radical left wing government. There had been masses of change during their term, which is even evidenced in the art work on the nation's stamps.


Anyhoo, what to do with these beautiful objects.  Make an ornament for the tree, that's what!!!!!  I purchased the balls already papier mached, but if you are using foam balls you could cover them with slivers of brown paper if you are unable to find them already covered.


I made one ornament which was distinctly blue and one using old stamps I had of Queen Elizabeth.


I tied them with string, brown paper package style and made another 20cm long loop to hang them with.  They look fabulous on the tree.  I'd love to do a whole tree with these little vintage parcels.


It's been interesting to see how the price of posting a standard letter has moved from a few cents in the 1960's and 70's to where it is today at 60c.


My favourite is the one of all the different faces of Liz.  The English stamps are now printed onto rugs as well.  They are very expensive but absolutely beautiful.


Hoping I don't get an email from any stamp dealer guru types telling me the stamps that are now smothered with glue, are worth thousands.  Probably should have checked first I guess!!!! But the turn around time to keep you guys looking is too short and you are worth it anyway.  Thanks for reading me I appreciate you all so much!!!!!

PS My header shot has gone all blurry.  Probably blogger up to her usual tricks....Is anyone else experiencing the same?

Today I am Partying here

31 comments :

  1. Fascinating collection...my husband collects rare stamps and coins. Your stamps have helped make for a very unique ornament! Love it!

    XO,
    Jane

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  2. Love the vintage Christmas balls. What a great way to use old stamps and what a great collection. You could also frame them - e.g make a big shape, like a heart using the stamps and put them in a white frame. I have seen this done and it looks great. Nice work! ;-)

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  3. This is terrific! I have so many old Christmas stamps that this would be a memorable way to display them.

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  4. I can't tell you how much I love this idea. In fact, I remember having some of the Liz stamps in my childhood stamp collection, although I don't have a clue where that is now.

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  5. These stamps are pieces of art indeed! The ornaments are so gorgeous!! Great idea!

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  6. Thank you for visiting my blog! These ornaments are so sweet. My favorite stamps are the religious ones. I had quite an extensive stamp collection as a kid which I still have in an album SOMEWHERE. I used to be obsessed with the tiny pictures. andrea@townandprairie

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  7. They are such a gorgeous keepsake. Great job! Leahx

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  8. Love the stamps! I like to use vintage stamps in artwork. They are better on an ornament then stuck in a drawer. Will be your newest follower, hope you will stop by and see what is happening of our side of the globe, Laura

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  9. Fabulous idea lovely - they look so cute xx

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  10. What a gorgeous idea! A whole tree of these would be stunning.

    Thank-you so much for joining our Pin’Inspiration Party today. Your creativity is very much appreciated.

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  11. Never seen this before but it's such a lovely idea. Perhaps next year when I have more time and sanity I will be able to work my way through all your lovely tutorials and ideas.

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  12. How sweet - it looks like a little parcel.
    I'd love it if you could link this project up at my Simply Christmas Inspiration party ~ http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/2011/12/inspiration-friday_16.html

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  13. Small things like stamps, coins, old jewelry really intrigue me. this is a really wonderful idea for the ornaments. thanks so much for sharing the inspiration on VIF! Merry Christmas! xo

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  14. what a great idea - my dad is still hoarding heaps of stamps - I sooo remember the santa one!

    found you via a linky and joined up.

    If you'd like to help a fellow crafter get to 50 followers (LOL!) I'd love for you to join my site too.

    http://partycraftsecrets.blogspot.com/

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  15. These stamps are GORGEOUS!!! I love the originality & the finished results - WOW! Thanks for linking up to TGIF!! Merry Christmas,
    Beth =-)

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  16. Eu adorei!!!
    Muito criativo.
    Happy Pink Saturday!

    Beijos do Brasil.

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  17. I love them .I did something like it on a sewing tray box. I saved stamp and thingsfrom all over the world. Laura

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  18. How totally clever, love them so much. They do remind me of that song, packages tied up with string. Very homespun. Happy Pink Sat.
    Ann

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  19. I am in love with this ornament! It looks great!

    I’d love for you to link up and share: http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/search/label/Link%20Party

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  20. I love your creativity!!

    Pink at my page, please come and see. Have a wonderful holiday from my family to yours!

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  21. Very clever - love the recycling of the postage stamps!! Happy Pink Saturday!

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  22. I love that you made ornaments out of your stamp collections. I collected stamps for years and I had some carboard label tubes abour four inches round and i pasted my stamps on them and made pencil holders..
    Warms wish and have fun with your stamps

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  23. What a fun collection! These are beautiful ornaments...and what great memories associated with them! Thanks for linking up with Hating Martha!

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  24. Clever idea. Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas. ~CJ

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  25. Unique! Now I know what do with all those stamps I take off of envelopes!

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  26. What a fabulous idea. Love the ornies.
    Merry Christmas
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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  27. Cute idea! Have a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  28. Love it. Genius! Thank you for sharing!
    Melody
    ChattyChics.com
    PS Will you come over and share with my group today?

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  29. These are great - thanks for sharing them Carolyn at the Simply Christmas Inspiration party at Shabby Art Boutique.
    Hugs ~ Kerryanne

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  30. Thanks for sharing these on ChattyChics.com! Would you come back on Wednesday and share another project?

    Melody

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