The joy of writing letters

As a lover of unique stationery and writing materials, I collect all kinds of envelopes, paper, notepads, personalized note cards and stickers, letterpress wax stamps, pens and even pencil cases.

But sadly, in this day and age of digital technology, the art of exchanging letters and handwritten messages have become underrated means of communication.

This concept of paper adjustability and international mail transport, however, has inspired Tokyo-based graphic and 3D-product designers, Mike and Yuri Abelson, to put up a stationery and leather goods company called Postalco.

Established in 2001, they began with staple products of pressed-cotton and leather carry-on document envelopes with adjustable button closures.

The Postalco Tool Box

Ten years later, Mike and Yuri have expanded to high-quality notebooks and journals, calendar and book covers, finely crafted leather wallets and bags as well as key chains, measuring tapes, and rain capes.

ON The Radar: How did you start Postalco and what were your first items?

Mike Abelson: When we were living in NYC, I made a fabric envelope for Yuri to carry papers. Friends and people we met asked us where we got it. After being asked enough times, we thought, “Maybe we can make some of these on our own?”

The first things we made were the Legal Envelope (a document carrier) and a Travel Wallet for organizing passports and other papers when traveling. We began with just these two items in a few colors.

We began on our own, with our savings in a very gradual way. We are still really building up from the core. We have been lucky enough to have some people excited by what we make and encouraging us to continue. I think that a “boom” product is likely to disappear as quickly as it shows up, so we are not trying for a sudden explosion. It was a very gradual process of refining the things we make as well as building up relationships with the craftsmen we work together with.

Can you describe your working relationship with Yuri?

We met in school and have been working together since then. Our company is small so everyone has their hands in pretty much everything. Yuri’s main focus is the art direction and graphic design and mine is more on the 3-D objects.

How important is craftsmanship and quality to your products?

Craftsmanship is essential. There is no reason for us to make things if they are not well made. People here in Japan really appreciate attention to detail. Everything is made in Japan and the craftsmen themselves are able to really achieve such great detail.

What type of customer do you design for?

We mainly make what we ourselves are looking for but cannot quite find. Our experience is that at base, humans are not so different. So something that we want ourselves, some other people probably also are interested to have too. At least, that is how we have worked up until now. When we opened our own shop in Tokyo we realized for the first time how broad a range our customers are. People in there twenties, college students, up to people in there 60’s.

Measuring tape key chain in cross-grain leather and lined with pigskin

How long does it take you to develop a certain product?

Products can be born as quickly as six months but some take several years and up to 20 prototypes. You never can tell how it will be when you start. We just keep going until it is as perfect as we can make it.

What are your sources of inspiration?

Everything around is inspiration — it is only a matter of being open. Lately, I am inspired by weeds and how they grow so well in such difficult situations without anyone giving them water.

Whose work has influenced you?

I greatly respect the sculptor Alberto Giacometti and William Morris for his revival of craft making.

What are your favorite materials and Postalco products?

My favorite materials are fabric, leather and paper. I love to see objects made with these materials that really show their warmth and natural variations at their best.

As for our products, there’s the Postalco Tool Box; I also like the rain cape, as it is the first piece of clothing we have made.

My current favorite though is the new calendar we are making with a mathematician/economist in his ’70s named Noguchi Yukio.

He invented a new kind of accordion calendar that is the best calendar I have ever tried. We re-designed the calendar and kept the original function. We also are making an original leather cover and notebooks sized to fit.

What are your bestsellers?

We have been making many of the same items for almost 10 years. It surprises me every year the best sellers change in an unpredictable way, it might be the newest thing we make or one of the first styles.

Can you tell more about your collaborations with Opening Ceremony and Arts & Science?

Both of these companies contacted us about a possible collaboration. I respect the work they do so it was interesting to collaborate. We always try to make collaboration — something that neither company would have made if they didn’t work together.

What’s next for Postalco?

We always have many projects. We are working on collaboration — bag and book with a New Yorker artist. Also we are just now making our first original calendar.

* * *

Postalco Shop is at 2-2-18 4th Floor Kyobashi Chuoh Tokyo, Japan and is available at fine stores worldwide.

To know more go to http://www.postalco.net.