Imagine the astonishment when staff at a Swansea building society received their mail one Friday and discovered a 121-year-old postcard. This antique mail, dating back to 1903, has captivated everyone with its incredible journey and historical significance.
The 121-year-old postcard was sent long before the Swansea Building Society was established, adding an extra layer of intrigue to its discovery. After the society celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, this postcard arrived as a remarkable link to the past, predating the institution by two decades.
Henry Darby, the society’s marketing and communications officer, described the arrival of the 121-year-old postcard as “exciting” and “a bit spooky.” “Handling it feels like dealing with a rare artifact—it almost seems to belong in a display case,” Darby remarked. “The public’s response has been overwhelming. People are deeply interested in Swansea’s history, and this 121-year-old postcard has sparked a lot of conversations.”
The message on the 121-year-old postcard reads: “Dear L. I could not, it was not possible to get the pair of these. I am so sorry, but I hope you are enjoying yourself at home. I have got now about 10 shillings as pocket money, not including the train fare, so I am doing alright. Remember me to Miss Gilbert and John. With love to all from Ewart.”
Featuring Edwin Henry Landseer’s painting The Challenge, the 121-year-old postcard was postmarked from Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, on August 23, 1903. The stamp, depicting King Edward VII, further emphasizes the postcard’s historical value.
The mystery of how this 121-year-old postcard re-entered the postal system is still unsolved. Darby speculates that it might have been found during a house clearance and mistakenly sent through the mail again. “It’s fascinating to think that this postcard, over a century old, found its way back to us,” Darby added. “We’re dedicated to ensuring it reaches its rightful place, whether that’s in a local archive or with Lydia’s descendants.”
A family historian, after seeing the 121-year-old postcard’s image posted on Facebook by the building society, identified Lydia Davies, the intended recipient, in the 1901 census at 11 Cradock Street. This connection provides a tangible link between the past and present.
According to Royal Mail, it is likely that the 121-year-old postcard was recently put back into the system rather than being lost for over a century. “When an item is in our system, we must deliver it to the correct address,” a Royal Mail spokesperson explained, underscoring their commitment to delivering mail, no matter how old.
As the 121-year-old postcard is prepared for its next chapter, its journey from the past to the present continues to fascinate and connect people across generations.
