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History - Backstory - Herstory

 

 

Leeds Postcards was started by Richard Scott in 1979. For five years he ran it as a sole trader then in 1984 Richard Honey and Christine Hankinson joined.

The mid eighties was a time when people were desperate for change, from the money-driven morally-bankrupt Thatcher politics.. Leeds Postcards worked alongside groups such as Anti-Apartheid, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign and Friends of the Earth to publish hundreds of successful, beautiful, punchy cards.. The information on the back of the cards told people how to get more involved - it was never just a logo: It was the mission. Every campaign could afford to produce a postcard and with our help and distribution, to get politics onto the high street. By buying, keeping and sending postcards campaigns could reach people who were outside the activist networks. At this time Leeds Postcards were the first to use environmentally friendly printing; using both recycled paper-stock and soya based inks and used recycled brightly coloured envelopes.

In 1986 Leeds Postcards became a co-operative in and by 1989 there were six full time members. Unfortunately by 1996, despite Leeds Postcards being the UK's longest running co-operative with a healthy order book, cash flow difficulties drove the company to crisis point. The bank refused to help and with pay frozen, all but one of the co-op member/directors left.

Christine Hankinson, one of the founder members, sold off as much as possible to pay off the debts and with skeleton stock bought Leeds Postcards' title and has been running it as a one woman business since 1997.

" Information technology has certainly changed since Leeds Postcards started. Issue politics have got stronger and they are ideally served by the internet. Anyone can further their contacts unsderstanding and knowledge with a click of a few buttons. So Leeds Postcards has not got that primary role anymore. But there still is a massive gap between mass marketed easy-selling postcards and those that might challenge, remind, or protest; give a timely focus or a political punch.

By keeping overheads low I have been able to consistently publish and fully distribute to independent shops and outlets as well as Oxfam Bookshops throughout the UK. Distributors in the USA, London, Holland and Germany also buy and distribute many of the best sellers. This enables me to do regular large print-runs so costs can be kept low and new cards can be published. Sales by mail order through this website are essential too, and by post - and last but not least support from the Subscribers. who kept and keep Leeds Postcards going in spirit by their loyalty and inspiration.

One of the first aims of Leeds Postcards was to act as small posters. Small enough to be put up in the work place where an oppositional poster might be refused. So you can make your comment - make a stand. Who knows what will be needed next. To have the ability to publish fast is its greatest asset. Leeds Postcards will carry on having a go.

Don't forget to send any ideas art or inspiration for new cards and if you are involved in a campaign and would like a postcard to raise funds and awareness please get in touch. New cards, new interests are Leeds Postcards life blood - no two are the same. Keep it real. "

Here are some of the outlets, artists, authors,campaigns etc who have links to Leeds Postcards on their websites - all fascinating. In no particular order .www.ethicalsuperstore.com ..www.iwm.org.uk..... ..www.griinucompare.co.uk ...www.radishweb.co.uk ..www.greengeneration.co.uk www.biggreenshop.co.uk....... www.roystpierre.com www.babymilkaction.org www.hazardscampaign.org.uk .www.docspopuli.org ......www.nfpb.gn.apc.org .....www.woodcraft.org.uk .....www.anyoldicon.com..... www.wcml.org.uk .........www.susanmullally.com...... ...www.britishcouncil.org/arts-design-upfrontandpersonal-hometruths.htm

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Christine June 15th 2008

In October 2000 Leeds City Art Gallery staged Viva Leeds: 21 years of Leeds Postcards the exhibition featured 2 or 3 cards for each year from 1979 to 2001. It ran for 6 months. The exhibition was taken up and updated for the Beacon Gallery in Whitehaven for 6 months in 2002 and in summer 2004 the exhibition visited Ulster. Leeds Postcards are also included in the exhibition in Up Front and Personal; Three decades of British Political Art sponsored by The British Council which is touring the world and is presently in South Africa.

For a list of all Leeds Postcards click here

Could you help get Leeds Postcards on to Wikipedia? This unique piece of political and cultural history is being denied an entry....could you request or help?
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