Happy Halloween!

Postmarked 29 October 1909
Philadelphia, PA

I'm Lonesome

Uncirculated

I always miss George and Walter when I travel for work!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Uncirculated

Caption:

Located on a large tract of land in the transportation area, the aviation exhibit gives the visitor a realistic picture of a busy metropolitan air port. The exhibit inside the hangar displays the most advanced types of transport planes. The dome-like rear portion holds an invisibly suspended transport plane in full flight against a projected night sky.

I am going to a real airport today for a trip to the Net Impact Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

1939 World's Fair Link

Have Been Having a Time with My Head

Postmarked 19 August(?) 1909
New York

Message:

Back: My dear mamma - I started to embroider you a Dutch collar with pale blue but got to thinking you might rather have an all white one. Think it over and have Anna tell me when she write will you. How is dear papa? 

Front: How is grandma and Aunt S.? Had a big time in Syracuse. Did you get my letter? I mailed it Tues. I recd your postal this morn. Have been having a time with my head.

The building depicted in this postcard was built in 1903.

Smith-Corona History at Answers.com

The Day Tho' Cool Was Beautifully Bright

Postmarked 30 March 1948
Chicago, IL

Message:

Dear M: - Your dress has just come and is hung in bag. Thank you for the sweet Easter card - The day tho' cool was beautifully bright, sunny and without wind. I did not go out ??? but went to St. Ja- on Good Friday. Called on E- one time last week. She is fine(?) Love - S.E.E.

We Are Having Some Fine Trip

Postmarked 1928
Amsterdam Central Station

Message:

Dear S--- / Yes we are having some fine trip hope you are are well Bug will pick up. ok. don't worry. / Regards to families from us Both / S--

To Get Healed and Cured

Postmarked 23 August 1906
Quebec, Canada

Message:

This is the wonderful place and church where people come from all over the world to get healed and cured. I am there now. / L. Hudson

Ah, I hope L. Hudson was healed and cured after her visit to the shrine.

Shrine Website
Sacred Destinations Profile

I Hope You Are Gaining

Postmarked 11 May 1914
Owego, New York

Message:

May 11-1914 / Dear Veora / I hope you are gaining a little all the time and hope you will soon feel stronger. I had a card from Grandma Friday uncle about the same, not much news, said Nellie G-- was to have a vacation about the 18th and that she had heard they were better at Mr. Widemans, they had been sick Frank and Jennie went to L--'s yesterday I do not know what day they are coming here. Lots of love to you all. Lovingingly / Your aunt Ada B.

I have a few postcards addressed to Veora Mead hoping her health improves. A Veora Mead was interred at the Hope Cemetery in Neward Valley, NY in October 1969. If this is the same Veora, she lived a long life!

Full of the Devil, Too

Postmarked 11 June 1912
San Francisco, California

Message:

Dear Mother / Many thanks for the lilly of the valleys, wish you could see the lovely roses Agnes just brought in. I do wish you could see that child now. She gets larger every day and full of the devil, too, believe me. Love from us all to you all. / Agnes 

My Love for You Will Never Die But It May Fade a Little

Postmarked 1948
Santa Cruz, New Mexico

Message:

Of course my love for you will never die but it may fade a little if it isn't fed. Will be glad to answer any communication. / Ma.

Sometimes I like vintage postcards for their front, sometimes for their back. This is one where I was much more interested in the message than the subject of the postcard. Is "Ma" a mother? Or a paramour? What led up to this rather harsh message? Did Miss Susan Stott deserve it?

The Hermanos Penitentes were notable for practicing flagellation and conducting mock crucifixions during Holy Week.

New Mexico State Historian Link
University of Arizona Link

Thanks to Beth at The Best Hearts Are Crunchy for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

AIGA Detroit

My cousin-in-law sent me a link to the AIGA Detroit (professional design association) blog entry "Wish You Were Here." (Thanks, Jessica!) It's fun to hear the description of the wonder the author experienced when encountering vintage postcards for the first time. I also love the hobby exposed to a wider audience!

66 Steps

Postmarked 13 March 1951
Nassau, Bahamas

Message:

66 steps. I counted them when we walked up them. Just like other things here just as you pictures West India Islands. Beautiful flowers, narrow streets nice beaches, 80% colored people and best of all hot weather. Only staying 2 or 3 days. Wonderful flight from Miami only 55 min about 184 miles. / Alonz & May

Most sites say there are 65 steps; May either miscounted or included a top or bottom step that isn't part of the official count. The stairs were hand-carved in the late 1790s out of the limestone by slaves. Later, the staircase was renamed in honor of Queen Victoria who played a role in abolishing slavery in the Bahamas.

Grandma and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas in the late 1980s. Here I am on the Queen's Staircase. I don't think I grasped the significance then.

Family and Dog

Uncirculated


I picked this up at the antique store because I love a family that poses with their dog! When George saw it, he remarked that the family looked happier--almost smiling even--than most people in family portraits of the time.

Rolling Chair Parade

Postmarked 20 February 1909
Atlantic City

Message:

Feb 20th 1909 / Dearest Hazel / I am having a very nice time here in Atlantic City the ocean is very nice today but was very stormy last night wish you were here to see it / Lovingly, Aunt Ellie

Beautiful beaches and refreshing sea air made Atlantic City a popular vacation destination. Alexander Boardman, a railroad conductor, and Jacob Keim, a hotelier, developed the boardwalk so that people wouldn't track sand into the hotels and railroad cars. The rolling chairs featured in this postcard were introduced in 1884 and were the only vehicle allowed on the boardwalk. Once source claims the boards on the boardwalk were diagonal to make it easier to maneuver them. According to PBS's "American Experience":

In 1920 the Businessmen's League of Atlantic City came up with a plan to keep fun and profits continuing past Labor Day. For September 25th, they organized a Fall Frolic. Three hundred and fifty gaily decorated rolling wicker chairs were pushed along the parade route. Three hundred and fifty men pushed the chairs. However, the main attractions were the young 'maidens' who sat in the rolling chairs, headed by a Miss Ernestine Cremona, who was dressed in a flowing white robe and represented 'Peace.'

Rolling chair parades were also a part of the Miss America pageant. Rolling chairs are still in use today, though retired chairs are coveted as furniture (story here)!

Here's a picture of the rolling chairs in which you can see the operator pushing his cargo:

Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, 
Detroit Publishing Company Collection

Birds Eye View of Albany, New York

Postmarked 17 October 1909
Albany, NY

I always think our state capitol looks like a haunted mansion! A brief history of the exterior is available on the New York State Assembly website.

Watching and Waiting

Postmarked 14 May 1906

Another from my creepy and disturbing collection.

I Rather Dread the Return Trip over the Desert

Postmarked 20 July 1939
Los Angeles, CA Arcade Annex

Message:

Los Angeles - July 18 / Dear Anna, We came here yesterday from Yosemite. I went out to call on Nina Parker this afternoon but didn't find her at home. I left a card with our hotel address so I am hoping that she will find it before we leave. It has been a wonderful trip so far. I rather dread the return trip over the desert. / Love, Grace

In most parts of the United States, we are fortunate enough to be in a position to take access to clean, potable water for granted. Even living in Arizona for five years, we were never inconvenienced by rationing or unable to use water for whatever purpose we needed. In ritzy areas, the lavish fountains cascading water for purely decorative reasons and the presence of landscaping requiring lots of water bothered me, though it seemed not to bother people in general. We have very little idea of the real scarcity of water or its value. Water.org has compiled a list of facts about water for today, Blog Action Day:

• Every 20 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease.
• 890 million people lack access to safe water.
• 2.5 billion people don’t have a toilet.
• $25 brings one person clean water for life.
• Over 200 million hours of labor each day are consumed each day to collect water.
• The majority of the world’s illness is caused by fecal matter.
• More people on earth have cell phones than toilets.

While the statistics seem overwhelming, you can help. Visit the Solutions page at water.org to learn more and find out what you can do.

Blog Action Day Website

Thanks to Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday!

Ithaca is Gorges: Buttermilk Falls

Uncirculated

Buttermilk Falls today:



We hiked around Buttermilk Falls on Sunday. There are several smaller falls on the trail - so beautiful!

If Nothing Happens

Postmarked 27 June 1916
New York, NY Station J

Message:

If nothing happens I will be with you Sat night. Leave here by the Lehigh Valley R.R. and gets in to Ithaca at 4:40 p.m. Belle

I wish we had a train route between Ithaca and New York today! It's not easy or affordable to make the trip, unless you are brave enough to drive. (I am not.)

This is the view today:


View Larger Map

The scene depicts the New York Public Library on the right (which would be behind all the trees).

105 Years Ago: A Fine Day for a Drunk

Postmarked 12 October 1905
New York, NY

I wonder who Emma is and what she did!

Moonstruck

Message (Back): M-- why didn't you come to the dance last night.
Message (Front): You told me a l[ie?] didn't you. J-

You've Got Me Going, Kid

Postmarked 8 December 1910
Bloomville, Ohio

Message:

Hello Aunt Trude. What day are you girls coming home. I can hardly waite don't have any one to quarrel with since James is gone. Ernest is out to -- Boney bought that place. What do you want old Santa to bring you? Lois

On This Your Wedding Day

Uncirculated

I am getting married today!

Best Wishes

Postmarked 6 September 1910 (?)
Mo---, NY

We have move up in the big house and like it very much. We were all down to rye beach and had a grand time. With the armor picnic (?) Papa drove Hunter's team. Write soon. Mattie.

Electrical Group by Night

Postmarked 7 October 1933
Chicago, IL


Message:

The food exhibits were attractions. Canned, Bottled, and Raw - Aunt Jamima Pancakes 10 cts a plate at their exhibit Scotch scones and German waffles. All the countries showed things for sale. Saw Chinese play today. The bringing together of so many displays is the outstanding Phenomenon.

I love the colors of this postcard and think the message is so interesting! It must have been such fun to visit a world's fair! My grandma, mother, friend Kim, and I went to the World's Fair in New Orleans back in the 1980s, but it wasn't the same.

I'm Wearing My Heart Away for You

Postmarked April 1909

Message:

Dear Marie, / I got your postcard was glad to know it was all right for Sun. night. Say hello to sister and ask Anna when I can come again the quicker the sooner you know. / I am always yours / J.D. / This card explains itself

Don't Think I'm Being Extravagant

Postmarked 22 July 1909
Chicago, IL

Message:

Say Dad I'm certainly having a dandy time. This the place I would like 2 go to. Take money to stay here so don't think I'm being extravagant. Write.

It takes money then and now! I'm not sure when the Press moved out of this building, but when I was an undergraduate, I worked at the University of Chicago Press, and we were located in the Administration Building (just across the road), and in this building were the bookstore, copy store, and other offices. The bookstore (currently run by Barnes and Noble College Stores) occupies two floors, and there is a coffee shop on the bottom level as well. This picture was taken when I visited Hyde Park in August 2009.

Railroad Street | Cortland, New York

Uncirculated

The steeple in the background might be St. Mary's Church.

Isn't It Nice?

Postmarked 8 March 1907 (?)


I so wonder what the alphabet written on the front of the card signifies!

Passioned Plea

Postmarked 10 August 1909
Sherburne, NY

I chose this postcard for today because my wedding is in one week!!! But the message written on the card has nothing to do with romance or marriage.

Dearest Sister / Your letter and cards rec'd. It certainly must be a beautiful place. Was it not a great shock to your system to retire so early? Mama will write shortly. with love to you and -- / Emma

Main Street

Another postcard from my hometown....


Postmarked 28 June 191?

Message:

All is fine Olive is at home I am on at trip to Oklahoma City for a few(?) days hope you are well let us hear from you - Clayton

Main Street, from a different vantage point, today:

Thanks to Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday!