Bringing pen pals back into fashion with postcards

The Princess Mail Club, founded by 21-year-old Putri Maysara, aims to rekindle the tradition of handwritten postcard exchanges, promoting personal connections in a world dominated by instant messaging. Putri's inspiration stems from a postcard from her best friend during a difficult time, which helped her through a stressful period.

Unlike fleeting digital messages, postcards provide a tangible keepsake that can be revisited and cherished. The club's inaugural World Postcard Day meetup in October welcomed postcard enthusiasts, blending local and international collecters to exchange and appreciate postcards. Despite initial assumptions of a women-only club, Putri was surprised by the diverse membership, including men.

Her own collection of nearly 200 postcards spans countries like Finland, Germany, and China, including a special US illustrator's 50-state series. A German friend she met through postcard swapping stood out for her personalized touch, highlighting the unique value of handwritten cards. Putri's club offers a slower, more meaningful alternative to superficial digital connections, bridging cultural gaps and creating lasting bonds through the art of postcard mailing.