Title
Mail art no. 87
Subject
Mail art
Description
This piece consists of a white envelope with red and blue bars along the edge, and decorated with rubber ink stamps. Also included in this piece is a photograph of an extremely large rubber stamp, two "musical exchange" notices on green paper, and a postcard with a handwritten letter. British postage stamp affixed.
The first image shows a decorated airmail envelope addressed to John M. Bennett at “Luna Bisonte Prods, 137 Leland Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43214, U.S.A.” The sender is listed as “PhotoStatic / Retrofuturism Audio & Print Culture, 911 North Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245 USA.” The envelope features multiple stamps, including a 34p green stamp with Queen Elizabeth II’s profile and a 45¢ U.S. stamp depicting Harvey Cushing, M.D. It also includes purple and blue rubber stamp art, such as a saxophonist, a male torso with an anatomical heart illustration, and decorative hand drawings pointing toward the address. The text “PAR AVION BY AIR MAIL,” “PRINTED MATTER,” “Postal Lessons by Famous Artists,” and “damaged by snails” are also visible.
The second image shows the back of an airmail envelope with blue, red, and white edging. The top section includes the printed text: “HOME OF THE BIGGEST RUBBER STAMP IN THE WORLD.” Below that is the return address: “A.1. Waste Paper Co. Ltd., 71, Lambeth Walk, London SE11 ENGLAND.” Across the center in bold purple text is the phrase: “PRETENTIOUS DRIVEL STRIKE (1990–1993).” The words “PRINTED MATTER” appear below in smaller blue type. Some red and white adhesive tape partially covers the bottom edge of the envelope.
The third image shows two pieces: a collage artwork on the left and a photograph on the right. The left side features a black-and-white illustration of a man speaking into a wall-mounted telephone labeled “LAKIN’S TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING TELEPHONE.” The man has a speech bubble that reads, “YOU DARE TO ADDRESS ME, VERMIN?” with the letters “AI” printed in the lower right corner. The right side shows a person standing in a cluttered, colorful room filled with papers, posters, and artwork on the walls. The person is holding a large rubber stamp above their head featuring an image of a pig.
The fourth images shows Two pieces of stationery placed side by side. Both are printed with the heading “A.1. Waste Paper Co. Ltd., 71, Lambeth Walk, London SE11 ENGLAND.” in purple text. The left sheet also bears the heading “RARE AND VALUABLE POSTAL EPHEMERA” and is dated “4 MAY 1990.” Below, a handwritten note in yellow ink reads:
“Dear John, Thanks for the rubber stamps. Hope the enc. will be of use to you – maybe you can cut them up to make new words? Glad to hear the PRETENTIOUS DRIVEL stickers are useful. Here’s a few more.
All the best,
Michael
P.S. Phew! It’s hot here – hottest May for 100 years!”
The right sheet contains the same printed address and includes additional printed text in pink reading “HOME OF THE BIGGEST RUBBER STAMP IN THE WORLD,” and a green-stamped date “18 JAN 1990.”
The second image shows the back of an airmail envelope with blue, red, and white edging. The top section includes the printed text: “HOME OF THE BIGGEST RUBBER STAMP IN THE WORLD.” Below that is the return address: “A.1. Waste Paper Co. Ltd., 71, Lambeth Walk, London SE11 ENGLAND.” Across the center in bold purple text is the phrase: “PRETENTIOUS DRIVEL STRIKE (1990–1993).” The words “PRINTED MATTER” appear below in smaller blue type. Some red and white adhesive tape partially covers the bottom edge of the envelope.
The third image shows two pieces: a collage artwork on the left and a photograph on the right. The left side features a black-and-white illustration of a man speaking into a wall-mounted telephone labeled “LAKIN’S TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING TELEPHONE.” The man has a speech bubble that reads, “YOU DARE TO ADDRESS ME, VERMIN?” with the letters “AI” printed in the lower right corner. The right side shows a person standing in a cluttered, colorful room filled with papers, posters, and artwork on the walls. The person is holding a large rubber stamp above their head featuring an image of a pig.
The fourth images shows Two pieces of stationery placed side by side. Both are printed with the heading “A.1. Waste Paper Co. Ltd., 71, Lambeth Walk, London SE11 ENGLAND.” in purple text. The left sheet also bears the heading “RARE AND VALUABLE POSTAL EPHEMERA” and is dated “4 MAY 1990.” Below, a handwritten note in yellow ink reads:
“Dear John, Thanks for the rubber stamps. Hope the enc. will be of use to you – maybe you can cut them up to make new words? Glad to hear the PRETENTIOUS DRIVEL stickers are useful. Here’s a few more.
All the best,
Michael
P.S. Phew! It’s hot here – hottest May for 100 years!”
The right sheet contains the same printed address and includes additional printed text in pink reading “HOME OF THE BIGGEST RUBBER STAMP IN THE WORLD,” and a green-stamped date “18 JAN 1990.”
Creator
A. 1. Waste Paper Co. Ltd.
Publisher
Poetry Collection, Special Collections, University Libraries
State University of New York at Buffalo
Poetry Collection, Special Collections, University Libraries
Date
1990
Contributor
Basinski, Michael
Recipient: Bennett, John M.
Bennett, John M.
Rights
Type
Envelopes
Photographs
Postcards
Fliers (Printed matter)
Image
Still image
Text
Identifier
Mail Art John M. Bennett Box #1
MA0087
LIB-PC001
Date Created
2/24/2006
Date Modified
5/26/2006
Extent
12 x 16 cm.
Medium
Paper (Fiber product)
Photographs
Collection
Citation
A. 1. Waste Paper Co. Ltd., “Mail art no. 87,” Digital Collections - University at Buffalo Libraries, accessed October 30, 2025, https://digital.lib.buffalo.edu/items/show/597.