Liz Maguire: Letter Writer & Amateur Archivist.
Hi, my name is Liz. I'm the creator and curator of 'Flea Market Love Letters' and for the last 9 (!!!) years I've built this digital archive of vintage love letters. It's been ages since I properly introduced myself and I thought no better time than the present to put down a few facts and figures about my 'letter story' and the archive.
I was always itching to write letters myself and in 2020 the opportunity presented itself when COVID brought life to a stand-still and a woman named Rachel Syme created a pen pal exchange on Twitter called "Penpalooza". I was matched with a lady in Arizona, sent off my letters...and didn't get off Twitter. Every morning I would comment on almost every single post having to do with Penpalooza. 'Love the stickers!' 'Thanks for keeping snail mail going!' that sort of postal Pollyanna stuff.
In fact, my friend Alison -- co-founder of the letter writing charity 'From Me to You' and co-author of the book of the same name-- regularly cites those many posts on social media as the impetuous for our friendship. Thank goodness for that.
COVID was a weird time, we can all agree. People were feeling isolated and letter writing played a big part in making new friendships while many of us were stuck at home. At one point I had 88 people mailing letters or postcards to my house in Ireland.
Honestly, it became less about replying and more about being a place where someone could send a letter. Somewhere they could put down everything on paper and walk to the mailbox and send it far, far away. I knew the way letters had played such a vital part for morale in the war effort, historically, from running the archive so I was happy to be a 20th century collector.
Long story short, I've been beyond fortunate. I love to talk about letters. There was an article in The Guardian -- thank you, again, Morwenna -- that led to an appearance on Sky News and lots of podcast invites and interviews since plus two inclusions in two beautiful books, one by Anna Quindlen and one by Kate Thompson.
I was once asked to join an event for the Smithsonian Postal Museum as a guest speaker which as a nerd was huge. And few times a year, I put together stories from the archive and kind folks join for an hour to share in the magic of this place virtually.
Plus, I am so fortunate that my letter writing has brought great friendships into my life and opened postal portals around the world I never imagined.
But at my core, I am the old letter lady. I am happiest among the yellowed pages of mail and discovering the every day histories of every day men and women, to share with you, my lovely letter lover. This archive started 'officially' in 2017 but for a decade before I was collecting letters and postcards. Always picking up the bundles in hunting envelopes on flea market tables. Since I started the project I've amassed over 3,000 pieces of mail from private collecting and some very small, specific donations.
I believe that every one has a 'letter story'. I would love to know yours.
Get in Touch.
Want to share your letter story? Write to us at info@fleamarketloveletters.com.
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