Fwd: new definition for snail mail

["darwin ramsey" <darwinramsey@hotmail.com>]

>I just copied this from the Mindspring/Earthlink site.  I tried to send it 
>as a link but with
>no luck. (It's an ABC news story).  I thought it was interesting.  Wouldn't 
>it be nice to receive a
>letter from an ancestor or an ancestor's friend?
Sorry about the text.

>Darwin

>Better Late Than Never  Postcard Arrives 112 Years Late
>By Lucrezia Cuen


>L O N D O N, Feb. 22 - His name was Colin. He was apparently working in
>merchant banking, on leave in Australia and awaiting word on his next
>destination.
>
>  The year was 1889 and postcards were a new means of communication in the
>British colony of Queensland.  Using this new medium, Colin sent New Year's
>greetings to a Miss Wardrop in Aberdeen, Scotland.  The threepence stamp on
>the postcard was postmarked Jan. 4, 1889.  Last week, 112 years late, the
>postcard arrived at the Aberdeen post office, via London and the Royal Mail
>is now trying to find relatives of the intended recipient.  "The card has
>come 12 thousand miles and we want to go the extra mile and deliver it to
>the right people," says Colin McGregor, spokesman for the Royal Mail.
>Changing Times  The card was addressed to:" Miss Wardrop, 32 Carden Place,
>Aberdeen," but the address is now a dental surgery and three other
>businesses.  The message on the card reads: "Just a few lines to say that I
>am still in Brisbane and have enjoyed my six weeks leave. I reported myself
>today at the bank, but have not yet heard my destination. Thanks awfully 
>for
>letters from you and Gerty. Trusting you are all well and wishing you all a
>happy new year. Will write in a day or two. This is the first time 
>postcards
>have been issued in Queensland. Colin."  The card looks much like a modern
>day card, it's 3 inches by 4 ¾ inches, but it carries an elaborate crest 
>and
>herald showing two lions rampant on the top left hand corner and postage of
>only three pence.  'If This Card Could Talk'  The British postal service
>says it has no clue where the postcard has been or where it's traveled in
>the past century.  "In those days it would have normally taken six weeks or
>so for a letter to be delivered," says McGregor. "It would be superb if 
>this
>card could talk. It would have great story to tell."  Because the
>recipient's name, Wardrop, is fairly uncommon, the Royal Mail believes it
>may have luck finding a relative.  It has put out an appeal for anyone who
>thinks they could be related to come forward to claim the postcard.  An
>early response came from a man in San Diego who claims his grandmother was 
>a
>Wardrop who lived in Scotland. The Royal Mail says it checking it out.
>Local stamp and card dealers say that despite its age the card is not worth
>a lot of money - $10 at most - but the sentimental value to the family 
>would
>make it priceless.  Anyone wishing to claim ownership of the postcard 
>should
>contact the Royal Mail in Aberdeen, Scotland at 44-(0)1224 870 207.

>
>

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