12 FEBRUARY 2016 http://www.stampandcoin.co.ukStamp update
Q&A: James Addison
For many years graphic designer
James Addison has been testing
the Royal Mail’s delivery service
through a series of peculiar
envelopes containing nothing
more than cryptic clues and
puzzling addresses. We asked James about
his peculiar postal hobbyWhat prompted you to start your postal experiments?
I grew up in a very leafy village in Buckinghamshire and
we had a postman called Frank who was, in my opinion,
incredibly efficient. Letters would be delivered exactly
at the same time every day, he knew the area inside
out and he was rarely late. At around the age of fifteen
I thought I would set him a challenge, an opportunity
to test both his and the sorting office’s detective skills. I
started first with an envelope sent to my home address
with a hand-drawn map and a drop pin as to where
it should be delivered. To my disbelief the letter was
delivered back the very next day (with only a second-
class stamp) and so started a project spanning over
many years where I would occasionally send the odd
puzzle to see if it would make its way home.What reaction have you had from the postal services,
have they been frustrated or amused?
I’ve had some great reactions. Some envelopes would
come back signed with the words ‘Solved by Dorset
Sorting Office’ or smiley faces so I knew they were
enjoying the project. This year I had the pleasure of
meeting one of the many sorters in Poole through the
BBC’s One Show. He remembered my puzzle envelopes
well and said it was a light relief from the boredom of
letter sorting.Have all your envelopes been delivered?
Only two have never reached their intended destination.
One was a printed envelope with a Google street map
and the drop pin was slightly in the wrong place. The
other just said my name so I wasn’t surprised that it
didn’t make it.What have the experiments taught you
about the British postal service?
In my view, the British Postal Service is the best in the
world. I can say this confidently because I don’t believe
any other postal service would embrace such eccentric
envelopes and feel that they should deliver them. I have
nothing but huge respect for their workforce. People do
think of it as a huge well-oiled machine (which it is) but
what I have discovered is that it has a very human spirit.
A company with a personality is far more interesting than
the faceless corporates we so often see. This is embodied in
the way that the envelopes come back to me so often with
smiley faces or penned scribbles – a great personal touch.What tips would you give to letter writers
wanting to add some puzzles to their post?
Firstly, be courteous. I would only send mine once
every few months and never at busy periods such as
Christmas. I’d hope others would do the same. If you do
want to send a puzzle envelope then make sure there is
a postcode somewhere. I would always include one but
hide it in a code it so it had to be read by hand.What are your thoughts on the advent of
e-mail and the decrease in letter writing?
The thrill of receiving a handwritten letter or postcard
really cannot be emulated by a stark and cold e-mail.
From the feel of the paper to the indentations caused
when putting pen to paper; there is a sort of chemistry
in the mind happening when you receive a physical
message that feels incredibly personal. However, it’s
even better when you realise and appreciate the effort it
has taken to deliver that message.Find out more about James’ postal puzzles at:
http://www.jamesaddison.co.ukp09 Stamp update.indd 12 21/12/2015 09: