An Unexpected Treasure from the Author Himself : My Heartfelt Thank You to Mr Thomas Brandt, Author of "China in Those Days".

Some surprises in life are simply beyond words.
And sometimes, the most beautiful surprises come from people we have never even met.

I have been collecting postcards since 2008. What started as a hobby has grown into a lifelong passion. Over the years, postcards have brought me so much joy, introduced me to wonderful people around the world, and allowed me to discover countless stories through little pieces of paper.

I also started this blog in the same year, as a little space to document my postcard-collecting journey, share the stories behind the cards I receive, and express my appreciation to the wonderful senders from all corners of the world.

But one day, something truly extraordinary happened..

Little did I know that one day, this very blog would bring me one of the most unexpected and unforgettable surprises of my collecting journey. I received an incredible gift from none other than Mr Thomas Brandt, the author of the remarkable book China in Those Days: Insights into Historical China through Postcards of the Time.

Yes, the Author himself!

As I understand it, Mr Brandt came across my blog, found my mailing address there and, quite unexpectedly, decided to send me his book. I can only imagine that it was through a random search that he discovered my little corner of the postcard world.

I was absolutely amazed. I never expected anything like this, and certainly never imagined that someone whose work is so closely connected to my passion would reach out to me in such a generous way.

And the surprise did not end there.

When the parcel arrived, I discovered that Mr Brandt had personally signed the book before sending it to me. He had also included a personal letter!

Can you imagine my excitement? ;)

The book itself is already an extraordinary treasure. It is not an ordinary book that you can simply pick up and browse through casually. It is a magnificent, substantial volume weighing approximately 2.5 kg, containing 336 pages and around 1,600 historical postcard images.

Published in 2008 by Goasia Verlag, China in Those Days takes readers on a fascinating journey through China's past, particularly the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Through its remarkable collection of historical postcards, the book documents Chinese life, people, traditions, customs, architecture, cities, landscapes and cultural heritage. Each postcard offers a glimpse into a different time, preserving scenes and stories that might otherwise have disappeared into history.

Looking through these historical postcards is like travelling back in time. Each image preserves a moment that might otherwise have been forgotten. They are not simply old postcards; they are little windows into history. Today, these old cards have become valuable visual records of a world that has changed tremendously.

For postcard collectors, this is something truly special. Postcards are not merely souvenirs or pieces of correspondence. They are historical records, visual documents and little windows into the past. They allow us to see how people lived, how places looked and how the world communicated long before our modern digital age.

Looking through a book like this reminds me once again why I have loved collecting postcards for so many years.

But honestly, the most precious part of this gift is not just the book itself.
It is the thought, kindness and generosity behind it.

Dear Mr Thomas Brandt,
I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful surprise. Receiving your book, personally signed by you, together with your personal letter, is something I will treasure for a very long time. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me as a postcard collector. Your kindness has made this moment even more meaningful, and I feel incredibly lucky and honoured that my little postcard blog somehow brought us this unexpected connection.

This experience reminds me that our hobbies can connect us with people in the most unexpected ways. Sometimes, a shared passion crosses borders, brings strangers together and creates memories that money simply cannot buy. A beautiful book, a personal letter, an author's signature, and above all, an unforgettable act of kindness. Thank you, Mr Thomas Brandt, for making this postcard collector's dream moment so special.

This precious book will always have a special place in my collection, not only because of its historical value, but because of the wonderful story of how it found its way to me.
Some treasures are collected. Others unexpectedly find their way into our lives. And this one will forever be one of my most treasured postcard memories. ❤️

And there is another delightful little surprise! The book comes with a very special bookmark, which has a built-in magnifying glass. How cool is that? It is such a clever and thoughtful addition, especially for postcard enthusiasts like me. With so many fascinating historical postcard images and tiny details to explore, the magnifier is simply perfect for examining them more closely. Even the bookmark itself is something worth appreciating!