Dear Phil,

Cripes – I’ve been a joke dealer for years but never seen anything quite like this. Ulrich got this in trade for some first-day covers and I think you should see it. Bags it’s awfully old. Most interesting though is that you can see right away there’s writing on it, but there’s something underneath as well; it’s a palimpsest. I’ll just copy it out for you in a jif:

(da da da da, something about pledging freedom to the English Barons and whatnot – then underneath, very faint:)

     While chatting with Priest in Milankie
     Said Mother, producing a hanky,
     “I thought this was snot,
     But snot it is not –
     Our Philip’s been having a wanky.”

Interesting, eh? Not sure where “Milankie” is though. Could be a village in Shropshire. I’ll admit it’s not a very valuable find – I mean, in terms of laughs anyway. More for historical value. So what do you think? How much should I ask for it? Or should I keep it for some reason?

See you Tuesday,
Jonathan