Welcome to 'Mike Charlton's Postcard site' as it enters its 9th year ! Thanks to increased exposure , publicity and awareness, the site continues to develop. Many thanks also for all the comments (both kind and not so kind!) received over the last six years. Those of you who are regular visitors will notice a few subtle changes to the layout.
Thanks must go to Andy Hutchings of AirNORTH fame. He has continued to provide support, advice and computer literacy. I would like to think that the site continues to provide both fellow collectors and those just passing by with a very enjoyable postcard experience!!
The format for the site follows the tried and trusted formula of the previous years. The usual sections are available - just select the picture links above. I have however added a further feature. As you all will know, my main interest is in British Airport postcards. A new section has therefore been added, listing cards which are available-but only in exchange for those airport cards I require. As cards leave this section they will be replaced by similar quality ones - so keep checking and keep searching for those elusive airport cards. Thanks !! Just click on the photo link above.
For those finding the site for the first time, a brief introduction ..... I am an Air Traffic Controller based at Newcastle International Airport here in the North East of England. For our overseas visitors, find a map of the UK, find Scotland and we are just below the border in the top right hand corner of England. I Worked initially for Servisair, the airline handling agent, and then moved to ATC in 1976.
My postcard collecting interest started back in 1968 and all cards at that time were collected. As the years passed I started to specialise on British airports and airline issued 'props'.
Hopefully the site will be both informative and helpful to everyone and give you the chance to obtain new cards, contacts and friends. Check out the links page ..... this will direct you to some other excellent postcard sites which are now available.
The site is updated by Andy on or around the first day of each month. Regularly updated features include "Airport of the Month" and "Airline of the Month". All cards are taken from my own collection. Generally these cards will not be for sale or auction and are just a glimpse of the many thousands of cards I have locked away in the vaults!!
I also have a personal auction section where a number of cards are shown every couple of months. No complicated rules - highest bid wins. Check out also my auction cards on EBAY - just select the link. These cards are changed every couple of days, so please bookmark this URL.
Finally a comprehensive list of cards I currently have for exchange will be available to look at. Please feel free to contact me if any look interesting. The only exchange rule I have is is a maximum size of 6x4 inches/15x10.5mm. The older the better. Some of these cards may be available for sale - please ask.
Latest Change - 1st July Monday 26th July sees the 75th anniversary of Newcastle International airport. As promised, our features this month are a look back over the those 75 years, as we see the airport grow from a small grass strip, through war time service to the modern International airport of today.
The 'Airline of the Month' feature charts the airport's history with timetable images of airlines that operated through and helped make the airport the success story it is today, while the 'Airport of the Month' feature looks at images of the airport throughout the ages all the way from Day 1!
Reminding you of the important feature 'Premium Exchange' which aims to offer cards of exceptional rarity, in exchange for those of my primary collecting interest, British Airports. If you have good British Airport cards and like the look of those on the 'Premium Exchange' page, please get in touch. New cards added 1st April 2009 !!
Next Month Next month normality returns - the 'Airport of the Month' feature sees us off to the Channel Islands and a return visit to Jersey, while the 'Airline of the Month' sees us off to Scandinavia and a look at SAS and their prop liner operations.
Welcome to 'Mike Charlton's Postcard site' as it enters its 9th year ! Thanks to increased exposure , publicity and awareness, the site continues to develop. Many thanks also for all the comments (both kind and not so kind!) received over the last six years. Those of you who are regular visitors will notice a few subtle changes to the layout.