A postcard sent from Bareilly in UP to a woman in France in 1905 shows how the placement of stamps was on the front of a postcard was once itself a performative art. On the top are two facing one anna stamps in red and green and properly cancelled, at the bottom right is a French stamp which, although cancelled probably is more decorative than fiscal. According to the "language of stamps" then in vogue, or the way the position of a stamp conveyed meaning, the top left stamp says "Thinking of You," and the one on the right "Answer at Once."
The sender writes on the back to Verneret Abarlin in Puy-de-Dome: "Seeing your name in W. Exchange I have took [sic] the liberty of sending you two cards, I should like to receive two of France in exchange. I remain yours sincerely, C. A. English."