Stamp Themes - Dartmoor Letterboxing Archive

ianjp67

2012-04-29 10:40:12

Having bought a few stamps which I've put out on the moor already, (some of which are still there, thanks LBT) I'm now wanting to handcarve some to put out.

I've bought some speedball, got the craft knives & scalpels, now just need some inspiration for what I carve!!

One of my brothers has made stamps of certain Tor's and put some of them out already (PTOD).

Have seen on a website that stamps should have a Dartmoor theme, but I'm really struggling for ideas that would make good stamps - which would also be easy enough to make. Does it really have to be linked to Dartmoor???

Would love to get some ideas about what I could make easily.

Thanks

Sowerby Streaker

2012-04-29 15:36:41

Hi there, simple answer is No, but it does make sense if you are going to the trouble of carving a stamp, to have a Dartmoor theme. A few years back when I started putting out stamps, I did use a book for ideas - Dartmoor 365 by John Hayward. In there are lots of little drawings which might be useful to copy.
Un Dartmoor related (is that a word

) we have recently had Dr Who stamps, Star wars themed stamps, and I believe a close relative of yours has some Robots out. Another new boxer who has carved his own stamps has used the theme Extinct Beasts of Dartmoor.
All sorts are very collectable.

Nik - KOTM

2012-04-29 16:11:53

I wouldn't worry about it too much my first series of boxes was Sonic the Hedgehog and Friends!
All hand carved, and easy for kids... needless to say Sonic got pinched and I had to carve a new one

The Wandering Artist

2012-04-29 20:31:37

You only need to look in the Catalogue to get a good idea of the 'subjects' relating to stamps.
I am always looking into Dartmoor books for ideas and try to find something obscure / little known that can be turned into a stamp and at the same time be enlightening / informative.
Childrens books have some great drawings in them and with a bit of Dartmoor knowledge can be applied to something , place or feature.

The Lost Legionnaire

2012-04-29 20:47:06

[quote="Sowerby Streaker"]A few years back when I started putting out stamps, I did use a book for ideas - Dartmoor 365 by John Hayward. In there are lots of little drawings which might be useful to copy[/quote]

I have recently sited a set of 6 stamps, that were professionally made for me, on the South Moor entitled 'Man Made On The Moor', and all of them are copied directly from this book.

If I was taking time to make stamps they would definitely have a Dartmoor theme.

UniS

2012-04-30 10:14:36

If your new to carving , you will need to practise before you get really good. Start with simple designs.
Learning to carve words is handy.

My first few included logos from local clubs ( I live on the moor), which gave me simple pictures to copy.

Kenton Kestrel

2012-05-01 11:17:34

Have a look at the Legendary Dartmoor web site. It should provide you with a number of Dartmoor themed ideas. You may then wish to have a look at Google images to see if you can find an appropriate line drawing to go with the subject you have chosen.

Good luck with the carving.

bigdave

2012-05-03 00:27:58

i recon stone rows would be quite easy to do and there are a lot of them not shure if they have been done allready though i suspect they may have been

or maybe a short series for reservoirs

Sowerby Streaker

2012-05-03 07:02:43

Yes, both have been done, but that doesn't really matter if you do them again - the stamps will be different. There are lots of series out the same - i.e. Dartmoor huts, Millstones, Boundary Stones, Tors, Phone boxes, Signposts, Bridges. We've had range poles, OP's, Daums, woods, forests, Reeves, other landmarks. We've had Myths and Legends, stamps on the history of the moor, Towns on the moors, Trails, etc..... If you are handcarving the stamps, then they will be a different set to collect.

ianjp67

2012-05-03 17:49:48

Thanx for the replies, I discovered the website referred to earlier a few days ago and had a good look round on it, one or two ideas from that. Am now trying to get hold of a copy of the book Dartmoor 365 to see what other ideas I can glean from it.

I really want something unique or at least something that's not in the catalogue.

Hopefully before too long I'll have some designs & be ready to 'carve'.

If anyone else has any ideas please let me know!

Nik - KOTM

2012-05-03 22:46:39

The way I would probably do it is look at the geographic and historic attributes and design something from there. As mentioned just about everything has been done, but there is always room for your "twist" on an idea for a unique set of stamps

Kenton Kestrel

2012-05-03 22:58:42

All hand cut stamps are unique. It is very difficult to find a subject that has not been covered by someone else for either WOM or catalogue boxes.

Nik - KOTM

2012-05-04 23:25:02

Dartmoor wildlife on a small scale? I mean I have never found a stamp of a slug or any other creepy crawlies that infest dartmoor

Sowerby Streaker

2012-05-05 12:35:48

in early 1990's there was a series out around Saddle tor called Insects no:.. They were of bugs i.e. spiders, snails, bees etc..

Nik - KOTM

2012-05-06 19:43:33

spoilsport

Sowerby Streaker

2012-05-06 20:47:46

Sorry

Tamerton Chocolates

2012-05-07 08:29:25

Found a stamp with a snail at Ruelake pit last year .... so they do exist

ianjp67

2012-05-19 07:39:43

Now got said book - thanks eBay - and first stamp cut after a master class from my brother. A good effort if I say so myself.

Kenton Kestrel

2012-05-19 15:43:20

What did you carve?

ianjp67

2012-05-19 17:05:58

The first one is a way mark stone, near Hemsworthy Gate, the second one which I did this afternoon is of Stittlefords Cross also near HG.
They will put on the moor as 'Tor Of Wimborne Wanderers' (TOWW)
I'm very pleased with how they turned out

Kenton Kestrel

2012-05-19 19:01:39

Good choices. Cutting stamps is very pleasurable and can become addictive and there is no help out there for us addicts.

How are you going to put them out - catalogue, WOM or neither?

bog_baby

2012-05-20 15:11:43

Have you got a sneaky preview for us

ianjp67

2012-05-20 17:10:14

They will probably go WOM initially but also get them in catalogue with no grid refs. Haven't really decided as theres pros & cons for both I suppose.

If I can sus out how to put a pic on I will

Kenton Kestrel

2012-05-20 18:47:49

When I started cutting stamps I was advised to put them out WOM. So far it has proved to be the right choice as they are all still out there and you can control who has your clues.

That is not to say that WOM don't unfortunately also go missing.

Hide them well and good luck with whatever you decide.