A postcard, written 121 years ago, has unexpectedly turned up at Swansea Building Society’s head office. Staff were surprised when the antique card, bearing a King Edward VII stamp and dated August 3, 1903, appeared among their usual mail last Friday.
Addressed to Lydia Davies, who likely resided at the address in the early 20th century, the postcard’s journey to the bank remains a mystery. The message mentions the challenge of obtaining “the pair” of an unspecified item, adding to the intrigue. Henry Darby, the marketing and communications officer at Swansea Building Society, remarked on the unexpected arrival, stating, “The postman delivered our usual mail, but a postcard suddenly fell out. It wasn’t in an envelope or accompanied by any note.”
The address on the postcard matches the current location of the bank at 11 (and 12) Cradock Street, albeit over a century later. The King Edward VII stamp and the old-fashioned handwriting immediately indicated its age. The postmark reads August 3, 1903, with “Fishguard, Pembrokeshire” pencilled at the top, suggesting it originated from Fishguard.
🔍 Calling All Aspiring Investigators! 🔍
We just received a postcard at our Swansea HQ with the correct address, but it seems to have been delivered 121 years late!
We need your help! Can anyone in the Swansea community (or beyond) shed light on this mystery? pic.twitter.com/1SbBO8t0Hu
— Swansea Building Soc (@SwanseaBS) August 19, 2024
The front of the postcard depicts a wintry scene featuring a stag by a frozen tree stump, with snowy mountains, a starry sky, and a boat on a body of water. The caption reads, “The Challenge.” The back of the card carries a puzzling note: “Remember me to Miss Gilbert + John with love to all from (unreadable).” The main message, addressed to “Dear L.,” expresses regret over not obtaining the pair of an unspecified item and mentions having about 10 shillings in pocket money, excluding train fare.
Swansea Building Society has reached out on social media for information about Lydia Davies or the postcard’s writer. Mr Darby noted the historical context, mentioning the building society was established 20 years after the postcard was sent. He added that the area, which now houses the bank, was likely residential before being bombed, leading to a rebuild.
Royal Mail suggests the postcard was probably reintroduced into the postal system recently, not lost for over a century. A spokeswoman stated, “When an item is in our system, we are obliged to deliver it to the correct address.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- Inside Edition reports on a postcard that arrived at its address in Wales, dated from 1903, marking 121 years since it was mailed, with the Royal Mail suggesting it was placed back in the system rather than lost in the mail.(read more)
- Yahoo News reports on a mystery postcard that arrived at Swansea Building Society in Wales, 121 years after it was sent in 1903, featuring a King Edward VII stamp and a winter landscape illustration.(read more)
- News Sky reports on a postcard dating back 121 years that was delivered to a building society in Swansea, surprising staff and sparking interest in the city’s history.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How old is the recently delivered postcard?
The postcard is 121 years old, dated August 3, 1903.
Who was the postcard addressed to?
The postcard was addressed to a woman named Lydia Davies.
What does the message on the postcard say?
The message mentions difficulty getting ‘the pair’ of something and talks about pocket money and train fare.
Where was the postcard found?
The postcard was found at Swansea Building Society’s head office.
What does the Royal Mail say about the postcard’s delivery?
Royal Mail suggests the card was likely put back into the system, not lost for over a century.