50 Best of British Postcards Pack (Without Envelopes)

Like other reviewers, I purchased these 'Best of British' postcards mainly for Postcrossing reasons. For those not familiar with Postcrossing, it's a scheme which allows you to exchange postcards with random like-minded punters from around the world. Or, further afield I suppose - depending upon how much postage it would take to get a missive through the Van Allen belts.These 50 postcards depict scenes of 'iconic images of what makes Britain and London famous'. Well - ten of them might do; but the other forty are just copies of those. Actually, only one of the images portrays London specifically - but, by gum, they've pulled out all the iconic stops for that one.I'm no expert on the subject of cardboard quality and thickness (I'm boring enough as it is without branching out into something like that) but these postcards seem to be made of sturdy stuff. The images are of good quality while the reverse sides are pretty much blank, save for an incredibly faint line and a plug for the people who created them. There are no lines to help those of us with poor handwriting skills to write our addresses legibly; and, crucially, there is no text at all to describe what the images are supposed to be.There's not even anything to indicate that they came from something calling itself the 'Best of British' collection. I guess the images themselves are supposed to tell their own tale. Which, I suppose, is why they claim to be 'iconic'.I don't know though - ARE they? Let's have a look:1. A Bulldog - He's quite cute... but they could at least have stuck a bit of red, white and blue on him. I certainly don't immediately think 'British' when I see him. Although, that hint of saliva does give him the air of a Beautiful British Cujo.2. A Row of Deckchairs on a Beach - All open; all empty; and all tied together. Quite why anyone would want to sit like that at the beach is not made clear, but I'm horribly afraid the five random people I send this one to will assume that's how we ALL do things here in dear old Blighty as soon as the sun comes out. No donkeys. No ice-cream. There's not even an old bloke sitting there with his teeth out and with a knotted handkerchief on his head. Nope. Just a row of weird (and slightly sinister) deckchairs.3. A Red Rose - I'm not entirely convinced that 'Roses' are a symbol of Britain as a whole. Even the chocolates are made in Poland now, aren't they?4. The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, a Routemaster Bus and a London Cab - The equivalent of marking four corners of your 'London' bingo card. Now it's 'Eyes down!' for Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and a Pearly King.5. A Red Telephone Box - shot from a tasteful angle, so you can't see the two dozen minicab business cards, the weird used-chewing-gum sculptures and the greasy remains of someone's kebab.6. A Victorian Pillar Box - who amongst us has posted their wallet and housekeys inside one of these babies along with a fan letter to Siobhan Fahey? Ah, right. Oh well - that must just be me then.7. A Collection of Royal Mail Stamps - Her Majesty in twelve different shades and denominations. The 44p blue shows her off beautifully. The diarrhoea-coloured 50p on the other hand, does her absolutely no favours.8. Half a Dozen Strawberries - No, I'm sorry: there is absolutely nothing peculiarly 'British' about strawberries! Apart from the fact I suppose that, for two weeks every year, six strawberries like that in London would cost a fortune. Maybe 'Rip-Off Britain' is what is being represented here? Ah, well: that's fair enough. I take it all back then, M'lud.9. More Royal Mail Stamps - Eight of them this time, marking the Queen's 80th birthday. Eight smiling black and white images of Her Maj... with not a trace of diarrhoea in sight.10. A Red Mini Parked In The Street - At least, I think it's a Mini. I don't know very much about cars so I can't really tell whether this particular image depicts a British icon or not. And, classy image or not, I'm not sure anybody I send it to is going to understand the point of it either. Actually, you know, that doesn't even look like a British street. I mean for a start, there are no roadworks... .These are very well-made postcards - it's just that some of the designs (certainly within the context of representing the 'Best of British') are a bit too abstract. At least, they are without a word or two from the creators to adequately explain them.Still, I don't HAVE to use those particular ones for Postcrossing, do I?No - I can use them all up on that noticeboard down at the supermarket: in those pathetic adverts I leave when I'm drunk. Those pathetic adverts where I try to sell myself as a low-class gigolo for the desperate (I've got my own teeth and car... and that's about it). You never know, one day some poor woman might actually BE desperate enough to reply.Then I really WILL be in trouble!

I suppose that I should have looked at the product description more closely. There are 10 different images and they are repeated so you get 5 of each individual card.The cards are good quality and they are good value for money. I like some of the cards, but unfortunately some of the others are not to my taste and I will be left with 5 of that design of use them as bookmarks or coasters for drinks!The pack would have been much better if it included lots of different cards - so I am only giving 3 stars.

Good quality cards, but dissapointed with several of the picturesDog, love dogs but who might I send this too?In the advertising shot there were some lovely beach huts, sadly they didnt make it into the pack.Stamps, so very boringRose, okay for a gift tag

Postcards good quality. 50 postcards, but advert didn't make it clear there were several sets of cards not all different.

Residents in my care home used to write home to their families. Post cards also gave topic of conversation of past youths , and memory lanes. Lovely bright cards

Good quality photos.I use these for postcrossing and also to send to my grandchildren.

Iconic postcards ideal for postcrossing !Arrived well packaged and promptlyHappy customer

As you can't buy postcards anywhere these days and sometimes it is nice to drop someone a quick note I thought these Best of British ones would be a nice surprise on the doorstep for friends and family all over the world. I was very pleased with them.