Decorating the ''Envelopes''

In Envelopes (Random House, $16.95), British illustrator Harriet Russell proves that postal workers across the Atlantic must be pretty smart. Seven years ago, as part of a student art project, Russell began mailing letters to herself with illustrated envelopes that hid the address in puzzles (crosswords, connect-the-dots, and other graphic tricks). She sent more than 130, and only 10 went undelivered. What about those code-cracking deliverers? Says Russell, ”I got the impression they quite enjoyed it.”