Happy Halloween!

I received this wonderful handpainted Halloween pug postcard from an online swap.

Cornell University

Postmarked 30 October 1901
Ithaca, NY

Normally, I don't purchase postcards with the stamps removed, but I made an exception for this private mailing card featuring the Cornell University campus, circa 1900. I find it amusing that even a hundred years ago, students were worried -- and bragging -- about their scores!

This is McGraw Tower today:

I Sat in Speaker Southerland's Chair

Postmarked 26 October 1906
Ottawa, Canada

Message:

My dear Edith:--/ This is one of the Buildings we visited yesterday. Western Block is an office bldg. Parliament sits in a bldg. at the east of Western Polk(?). I sat in Speaker Southerland's [sic] chair--House of Commons--for a little while./ With love,/ S. McAvoy/ Ottawa, Oct. 26/06

This original building was constructed from 1859-1865 after the Queen chose Ottawa as the location for Canada's capital. A 1916 fire destroyed a large portion of the building (and killed seven people). "Only the Library survived because of the foresight of librarian Alpheus Todd in insisting on iron fire doors and clerk 'Connie' MacCormac's quick thinking in ordering them to be slammed shut before evacuating the building" (website). The structure was rebuilt in the 1920s, with the Peace Tower completed in 1927.

Robert Franklin Sutherland was first elected to Parliament in 1900, and served as Speaker from 1905 to 1909. Later, he was appointed judge to the High Court Division of the Ontario Supreme Court. He died in 1922.

History of the Parliament Buildings

How Did You Make Out Bowling?

Postmarked 25 October 1948
Manchester, Connecticut
Published by Capitol Novelty Company

Hartford is the capitol of Connecticut, so I'm guessing that is one of the buildings featured in the letters, but I'm clueless about the other scenes.

POSTCARD CAPTION:

Greeting from Hartford, Conn.

MESSAGE:

Hi Old Dear / Hows did you make out bowling? / Will see you soon, / Love Eva

Happy Birthday to My Aunt Lizzie!

Uncirculated

Don't Let Any of the Girls Get Ahead of You

Postmarked 20 October 1947
---, Pennsylvania

POSTCARD CAPTION:

FRONT: Cathedral of Learning and Foster Memorial / University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
BACK: The Cathedral of Learning, the pride of the billion dollar Oakland Civic Center, reaches a height of 42 stories and is the only skyscraper university in the world.

MESSAGE:

Hello Keith - / How is your arithmetic coming? Don't let any of the girls get ahead of you. If mother asks you to help you'll do it while I am away, won't you? / Love from Daddy

Here's an earlier post with a different postcard featuring the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning.

Our Share of Laughter

Postmarked 18 October 1948
Los Angeles, California

POSTCARD CAPTION:

FRONT: Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, CaliforniaBACK: This world famous theater is the scene of some most spectacular Premieres. In the cement paving of the forecourt, prominent stars, both past and present, have left their hand and footprints and mementos to their admiring public.

MESSAGE:

So Hello, / All I can say is Chgo was never like this - everything is fun and we sure have done our share of laughing - (how's the card games coming?) / Love L--

Walgreens Drugs

Uncirculated

Charles R. Walgreen, Sr., after moving to Chicago in 1893 and working for a series of pharmacies, was able to buy his own drugstore in 1901. He prided himself on unparalleled customer service. Not only did he ensure every customer was greeted, he widened the aisles, brightened the interior, and increased product selection (Walgreens.com).

Here's the Walgreens today, having lost some of its charm:


View Larger Map

I haven't been to the Miami Walgreens in the card, but when I was in San Antonio in August, I saw an old-school Walgreens.

The Opera House Is So Grand

POSTCARD CAPTION:

University of Chicago
Chicago, Ill.

MESSAGE:

Friend Theresa / I suppose you got my little note by this time and seen that I am going to see the Man from Home he was swell and the opera house is so grand that I could not begin to write you about it but will tell you all about the good time I had so far from home. Your friend / Tillie

World's Largest and Friendliest Hotel

Postmarked 9 October 1950
Chicago, Illinois

POSTCARD CAPTION:

THE STEVENS World's Largest (and friendliest) Hotel / Located on Michigan Boulevard at 7th Street opposite Grant Park, and overlooking Lake Michigan, THE STEVENS is conveniently near Chicago's Loop - but away from the noise of the downtown district. 3,000 delightful, outside rooms - each with bath. THE STEVENS is the home of the Famous BOULEVARD ROOM which features fine cuisine, dancing to famous orchestras, and a full hour musical comedy revue, starring the BOULEVAR-DEARS.

POSTCARD MESSAGE:

FRONT: Am anxious to hear about the home in Haddonfield

BACK: I'm staying at the Mira-Mar near 63rd / Mon Oct. 9 1950 / Hi Sweeties! Haven't heard from T's in long time. Did you get the package of paper and M's picture? I left F. Thurs A.M. and arrived Chicago Fri P.M. I dined at Stevens with girlhood friend who lives here and teaches in C schools. We had a good visit. I came on bus via Washington Cleveland - Leave Wed nite. stop in Pgh. Love, best wishes, Mother

The Stevens Hotel opened in 1927 by the father of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and was at the time the largest hotel in the world. It is still open for guests under the name Hilton Chicago - parking alone will cost you $43 a day! While the hotel has endured, the early years of the business wrecked havoc on the Stevens family according to the story "Heartbreak Hotel" in the Chicago Magazine.

One Year

Postmarked ?

Today, George and I are celebrating our first anniversary. This seemed like a fitting card to mark the occasion.

They Live in a Little Doll House

Postmarked 8 October 1946
Chicago, Illinois

POSTCARD CAPTION:

THE NEW CHICAGO POST OFFICE / Dedicated February 15, 1933 / Cost approximately $22,000,000 / The structure spans the railroad tracks leading into the Union Railway Station and extends from Harrison Street, North to Van Buren Street and from Canal Street to the river. It is the largest and most modernly equipped Post Office in the world. The flat roof, 790x200 feet is designed for the use as an aeroplane landing field.

MESSAGE:

Spending the week in Chicago just beautiful weather very warm. We came after Mary but she is in the hostpial. They live in a little doll house. Ha. Laura

This is no longer the new post office. Indeed, it is no longer owned by the postal service at all but was purchased at auction by a private developer.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Many Unequaled Collections

Uncirculated
Published by Mason Bros. & Co.

POSTCARD CAPTION:

ART MUSEUM, BOSTON, MASS. Located in Fenway on Huntington Avenue. One of the finest in America. Contains many unequaled collections.

George and I enjoyed the Boston Museum of Fine Arts when we visited last January.

You Can't Get Much Feeling for the Place

Postmarked 6 October 1966
Honolulu, Hawaii

POSTCARD CAPTION:

Shorline Drive, Oahu...dark lava cascades into an unbelievably blue Pacific

MESSAGE:

Hi again - / Found these cards in --- store. Pretty, but you can't get much feeling for the place. I'm glad we took a lot of pictures. Four days left to go and I can't wait. Just about had enough living out of a suit case. Starting to get humid and sometimes rainy now. Lots to show and tell. / Love, Stu

The Handsomest Building I Ever Saw

Uncirculated
Published by J. B. Hoffman
Printed by Curteich (early 1930s)

According to the Pennsylvania State Capitol's website, at the October 4, 1906 dedication ceremony for the building, President Theodore Roosevelt called the structure "the handsomest building I ever saw." Philadelphia architect Joseph Hutson designed the building in American Renaissance style, but the dome was inspired by Michaelangelo's design for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial bridge was completed in 1930.

Choctaw Princess

In honor of my Choctaw heritage....



Uncirculated

POSTCARD CAPTION

Princess Pale Moon of the Choctaws, Oklahoma

If the information I found on the Interweb is correct, Princess Pale Moon is a name given to Yvonne Lyons Huser, a Choctaw artist who has pieces in the National Museum of the American Indian.

He Can Fly the Group of You Down to See Me

Postmarked 2 October 1941
Institute, West Virginia

POSTCARD CAPTION:

The Old Man of the Canyon on Route 19 and 21 near Chimney Corner, New River, W. Va.

MESSAGE:

Dear Maggie; / Got any more new jokes? How's that S.H. of yours. It's great down here but to hot. The college is very large and they have a very large and beautiful campus. Tell Frank that there is a very large airport right next to the college so he can fly the group of you down to see me. / Lovingly, Frannie

Only A Few Blocks from My Home

Postmarked 1 October 1946
Deming, New Mexico

POSTCARD CAPTION:

Old Mission (St. Ann's), Deming, N.M.

MESSAGE:

Deming, N. Mex. / Oct. 1 / This old mission is only a few blocks from my home. / I will write a letter later. I am fine. / Katie