From the receptacle that is euphemistically called a ‘mail’ box but now holds only advertisements and bills, out jumps this envelope. Receiving a real letter today is rare enough, one like this is heretofore unknown.
Story by Pete Vack, art by Ernie Nagamatsu
The envelope immediately evokes wonderment, surprise, and smiles and makes risking one’s life to fetch mail from the mailbox near the road worthwhile. It is from vintage racing’s famous ambassador, “Ernie” Nagamatsu and is known as “Mail Art.” We shall let the interested reader Google the subject. Suffice to say Mail Art is a “Pop Art” phenomenon and has been around since the 1960s and is now international in scope.
So, what could possibly be inside?
Think, dammit
Ernie’s first Mail Art letter to me, sent from his home in Santa Anna in late 2023, held clues and mysteries and things I didn’t understand. There was no letter as such, but a form letter describing how Ernie came to enjoy Mail Art and basically, what it was. There was a drawing, by Ernie, of what I perceived to be Salvador Dali; a Swiss stamp, an old advertisement for those X Ray glasses. And then two photos, one of Ernie racing the 00 McDonald Corvette special, and another color print of a person unknown. Neither photo was identified. This required some thought, dammit.
I emailed Ernie and told him his Mail Art was fascinating. Was that really Dali or just someone with a devilish mustache? What was the stamp about? Was the person depicted a famous Italian film editor? How did Ernie know I remembered those Xray glasses? And who was the person in the photograph? I had to do some searching and determined that It was Dave’s son Rich, who helped with the rebuild of the “00” racecar. Ernie had written about 00 and Rich earlier in the year; tragically, Rich would have only a few months more to live.
Think but not too hard.
There was a connection between the two photos, but something that had to be either recognized or researched. But much of Mail Art is simply Art and needs not to be analyzed, just enjoyed.
Ernie’s 22 inch long green snake that arrived in another striking envelope in January 2025, carefully folded to fit in the standard sized envelope. That was accompanied by a short paragraph describing the snake, revered in Asian cultural and ‘embodies elegance, wisdom, and transformative powers.’ It was duly noted that the snake was painted on both sides of the paper like a mirror image.
That the blind may see
Ernie’s sketches might lead us to examine them a bit closer. For example, later we received a drawing of a girl writing “Happy New Year.” Cute, but it wasn’t until we scanned it for this article that we noticed that as the girl was reaching, striving, the letters began to rise from left to right. The scan revealed a straight line underneath the letters, emphasizing the upward motion of both the words, and raised aspirations for the new year. So this became a message of hope as well as a message of cheer.
The straight line beneath the letters can still hardly be seen, but gives the drawing a different emphasis. It was also very hard to read the caption below the screw until scanned and enlarged.
Another was a sketch of a screw, and the words below said ‘No screws loose” and may be relevant to his recent accident.
But again, don’t think too hard.
Referring, we hope, to the VeloceToday site is this drawing. Wrote Ernie, “Art is part of every day and as mentioned my “Mail Art” is my way of ‘having a cup of coffee with you’ and knowing time spent on Mail Art is a gift of time from the sender.”
There are many aspects of Mail Art, as one might imagine. As a variation of Pop Art (hence the sketch of Dali?) one is free to do whatever on the envelope, insert whatever sketches or photos or ads or stamps or snips from comic books and magazines (one letter included two pages from an early Road & Track) as one might wish. It does not have to be original art, though obviously Ernie’s sketches are original and art as well. About the only requirement is to send it through the mail, to someone or even an organization.
His most recent Mail Art speaks of the difficult times he has endured since his accident in Australia in March. It needed no one to analyze it!
Mail Art inspires both artists and non-artists to endeavor to create something, think, and know that the time spent is time thinking of someone or something, even if subconsciously. It is defiantly analog, and the concept doesn’t seem to work well as an email as it lacks the reality, dimension, tactile feel and personality of Mail Art (unfolding a 22 inch long painting of a snake, for example!). Ernie sends his Mail Art to friends all over the world, and asks them to respond accordingly. And they do.
Ernie and Elaine received this from their friends……you are invited to do the same.
Thanks for sharing the road
The reverse side of the first Mail Art envelope.
Questions for Ernie? Meet him on September 19th
This art by Barry Rowe! If you have questions for Ernie and Elaine, note that they will be guest a Cerritos College on September 19th. See details below.
Cerritos College will mark their 70th Anniversary with a car show. Join us on September 19, 2025, from 5–8 p.m. for an evening full of excitement and community spirit! The legendary Old Yeller II will be on display, and we’ll be offering a special tour of our renowned Automotive Department, a true gem on campus. To kick things off, we’re hosting a VIP reception for our amazing donors and distinguished guests at 4:30 p.m. We’re honored to welcome Dr. & Mrs. Ernie Nagamatsu, and it would be absolutely wonderful to have you join us.
Cerritos College is located at 11110 Alondra Blvd.., Norwalk, CA 90650. The event will take place on Lot 8.
For more information to go www.cerritoscf.org
What a joy to receive such wonderful “Mail Art”!
Speaking of Dr. Nagamatsu’s accident at Philip Island, the general silence surrounding this sad episode has been deafening. After it occurred, I mined the Internet for any definitive statement as to the cause of the accident, Dr. Nagamatsu’s injuries (which were said to be serious) and also the condition of the McDonald Corvette (or Old Yaller Mk. 4, I suppose), and found virtually nothing. Evidently, the good Doctor is on the mend, which is great news. As to the rest of it, perhaps you could fill in the blanks.
Those are fabulous! Thank you for sharing them.
I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name ! Brings back such great memories of the 70’s ! America the band is almost completely overlooked today? As far as Ernie goes he’s one of a kind, hopefully making a 100% recovery.