Newsletter #50: September 2025.

Hello Letter Lovers...

Why write letters? 

When I saw this quote from Mr. Hemingway in a Philadelphia bookshop recently I thought: Who amongst us letter lovers cannot relate?

'Don't you like to write letters? I do because it's such a swell way to keep from working and yet feel you've done something.' 

I would love to hear from you, dear reader, about why you write letters, who you write letters to, or just your favorite letter you remember receiving -- whatever you fancy writing about! Simply reply to this email with your letter story and I will look forward to each and every one! 

Donate a Letter

Of course, regular readers will remember that one of the reasons I myself write letters is to support the charity From Me to You in their 'Donate a Letter' campaign. 

The demand for letters which the charity will match with recipients is at its highest ever, historically. If you can, please consider making a small donation in addition to penning a few letters! I promise you'll enjoy it! 

'Dear Anne'

This heartwarming story about two intergenerational women who love solo travel and have become pen pals will warm your heart -- and have you searching flights to Paris! 

Lost Letters

A NJ letter lover, Wendi Shaw, also collects antique letters -- going a step further to match them where possible with family and descendants. Can you help her solve her most recent mystery? 

Japanese Letters

The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in Oregon are working to return 116 pieces of Japanese post dating to WWII to the families, mostly descendants, who have been waiting 80 years for word. Read the story, here. 

The Barkers

This Newsweek article about Chris & Bessie Barker's WWII letters led me down a rabbit hole including discovering the beautiful bound book of the letters and a BBC Radio 4 production of the letters narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch! 

Our Archive

If the story of the Barkers sets your heart going might I recommend a scroll/read through the Flea Market Love Letters archive? In just 8 years we've shared 700+ letters written by everyday men and women. 

Write More Letters

100% of the proceeds from our 'Write More Letters' campaign go to the charity 'Hope for the Warriors' which helps U.S. veterans and military families. To learn more about how to sport your own Write More Letters gear, click here. 

Talking Letters

Special thanks to Ray D'Arcy and his team from RTE Radio1 for inviting me into the studio earlier this month to chat all things letter -- including my annual pilgrimages to postal museums with my pen pals and a favorite book of mine called 'Marcel's Letters' by Carolyn Porter! 

Rolling to Raise

Speaking of pen pals I couldn't let this installment of the newsletter land in your inbox without a whopping congratulations to Alison and Siobhan who have been cycling since the 1st of September to raise funds for From Me to You and have so far raised just shy of 10k (at the time of writing!) for the charity. Can you help them cross that incredible fundraising milestone today?

Well done ladies -- you are an inspiration now and always.