In a remarkable event, the Swansea Building Society in Wales recently received a postcard that had been mailed 121 years ago. This unexpected arrival has left everyone puzzled about why the delivery was so incredibly late.
Dating back to August 23, 1903, the postcard was addressed to Lydia Davies, one of the children living at a now-historic address. Determined to unveil the mystery behind this unusual occurrence, the Swansea Building Society has launched a social media campaign and reached out to local historical archives to connect with the Davies family’s descendants. They hope to gather more insight into why and how the postcard found its way into the mail more than a century later.
On August 16, 2024, a postcard arrived at the Swansea Building Society, surprising everyone when they realized it had been sent 121 years ago. As the society’s communication manager, Henry Darby, recounts, the postman delivered bundles of letters, including the postcard, which fell onto the table without an envelope or note.
The postcard features a beautiful print of the 19th-century painting “The Challenge” by English artist Edwin Henry Landseer. It was sent by a man named Ewart from the nearby coastal town of Fishguard to Lydia Davies, marking the woman who resided at the address all those years ago.
Upon reading the contents of the postcard, it’s clear that Ewart and Lydia were discussing something specific, though the exact nature of their conversation remains a mystery. Some speculate that it may have been about a pair of shoes, but no one can be certain.
As employees at the Swansea Building Society examined the postcard, they marveled at its authenticity. The card, marked with the date August 23, 1903, showcased the distinctive penmanship and language of that bygone era.
Tracy Coleman, a researcher and specialist at the Royal Philatelic Society London, confirmed that the postcard was consistent with others from the early 20th century. She explained that it resembled a standard stamp with characteristic markings of that period and could be found in many examples at stamp fairs or even charity shops.
One theory suggests that the postcard may have been discovered at a charity shop and subsequently sent to the Swansea Building Society. However, there is currently no evidence to confirm whether it ever reached Lydia Davies in 1903. In an effort to uncover more information, the society has turned to social media and received an overwhelming response from people with connections to the Davies family and the history of Swansea.
According to Andrew Dully, a researcher from the West Glamorgan Archives, John F. Davies and his wife Maria once owned the home at 11 Cradock Street. Lydia Davies was their eldest child, 16 years old at the time the postcard was sent.
Through their social media outreach, the Swansea Building Society has been able to piece together fragments of Lydia’s life and gain valuable insights into what life was like in Swansea 121 years ago.
This extraordinary delivery has captivated the imagination of many, shedding light on a bygone era and the lives of the Davies family. The Swansea Building Society continues its efforts to connect with Lydia Davies’ descendants and further unravel the story behind this incredible postcard.
As the story unfolds, it serves as a reminder that history can sometimes surprise us in unexpected ways. The enduring charm of a postcard mailed over a century ago speaks volumes about the power of human connection and the timeless allure of a journey through time.
If you find this story fascinating, check out the discovery of a 120-year-old letter to Santa in England. And don’t miss a glimpse into Victorian Christmas cards, which are far different from the ones we see today.
