I always like doing book-themed work and my latest series is using various ink and book-shaped rubber stamps.
While still keeping myself informed, I also have cut way back on news, especially the mainstream, compliant, corporate media. I have stopped watching almost all TV news. And the good news is more time to read books. BOOKS! Keeping reading and stay sane.
Do you remember aerograms? Aerograms were a single sheet of paper with gummed edges that had to be folded and sealed. No enclosures were permitted, and you could not even use tape to seal them. The cost was less than sending an airmail letter.
In 1985, aerograms came franked with 36¢ postage. It cost more than sending a postcard via airmail (33¢) but less than an airmail letter (44¢). The cost difference today seems quite insignificant even considering it was nearly 40 years ago. But when you’re a student, you’ll always do something to save a few cents.
You could fill the aerogram with as much writing as you could fit — write small or better yet, use a typewriter. The rule was you just couldn’t put anything inside an aerogram.
In the 1990s, as more people started having access to email, the aerogram was destined to become obsolete. The U.S. Postal Service discontinued them in 2006. In Britain they lasted until 2012. Very few countries offer them anymore. Australia still has them for sale.
At a recent San Francisco Correspondence Co-op meeting I found these unused aerograms on the swap table. I knew I had to take them to do a series of mail art. I wonder if some of my recipients will even know what aerograms are.
Monday was Labor Day, and I spent the holiday working. My task was to print over 100 postcards with hand carved rubber stamps reminding everyone to vote for freedom, democracy, sanity and our future. Vote Kamala Harris! This batch was dropped off at the post office yesterday.
Inspired by the new sea turtle postage stamps from the USPS, I started carving some rubber stamps and the results are now on the way.
