Each with a Prized Gold Necklace but Not Very Much Else

Postmarked 31 July 1962
Tehran, Iran

Message:

Tehran, July 31, 1962 / Dearest Alice-- / Saw this lovely mosque yesterday afternoon and today, a religious holiday, Muriel and I and an Australian lady have ridden in a taxi up to Darban, at the food of the mt. range which rises behind Tehran. We are at the Datzband(?) (Royal-owned) hotel and I have just wandered on some little trails nearby and been invited to join a family picnicking with a 2-1/2 foot silver samovar to produce their tea! Also, when invited, sat on the veranda of a poor little house and talked to the mother and daughter there - each with a prized gold necklace, but not very much else. Teheran [sic] is a mingling of the fairly old and picturesque with the very modern and traffic is almost non-stop so that you literally risk your neck! Gulistan Palace and the Peacock throne are most magnificent, and the tilework and lovely gardens and pools outside it are a delight. The interior feature millions of bits of mirrors set in diamond - like facets and are cool and gleaming. We loved the huge bazaar, a maze of every sort of shop, with jewelry, rugs, and leatherwork featured - enormous and roofed in. Have bought some very attractive copper pieces and have enjoyed eating luscious fresh peaces! Love, Shirley / Get to U.S. early Sept. - don't know if I'll get to Calif. Would love to.

Thanks to my in-laws, Chris and George, for this most unique postcard! 

Sunday Stamps: Indian Art

These fifteen cent Indian Art stamps were issued by the United States Postal Service in 1980. The envelope I received in the mail used two of the four designs in the series.

The first mask comes from the Heiltsuk people who originally lived on the coast of British Columbia. The middle mask is from the Chilkat Tlingit who came from Alaska. The masks were typically used for ceremonial purposes.

Randolph Macon Women's College

Postcard Caption:

Main Entrace, Randolph Macon Women's College, Lynchburg, Va.

With much controversy, Randolph Macon decided in 2007 to admit men to its programs. Now Randolph Macon College, the school is known for strong study abroad programs. 

Although this is a vintage postcard, I received it in the mail through a swap-bot partner. A nice treat!

One of the Famous Institutions of Boston

Postmarked 24 July 1948

Boston, Massachusetts

Postcard Caption:

ROSE GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IN THE FENWAY, BOSTON, MASS. / MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS was founded in 1870 and has grown to be one of the great museum of the world and is supported by the generosity of its friends and by private subscriptions. Admission is free to all. It is one of the famous institutions of Boston.

Postcard Message:

On my way now to this place of interest. So much to see May have to come again to see it all. I have a very pleasant place to stay Symphony Hall and Faneuil Hall and C.S. buildings near. Wish you could share sights with me. Cool this a.m. I thank you for all you did to help have such a good visit with Turners. / Love, / Mamamie / July 24, 1948

We love visiting the Museum of Fine Arts when we go to Boston. Here's our first trip, in 2010:

This is the interior, with a new Chihuly sculpture, in 2012:

The museum is no longer free, as it was in the 1940s, but seeing the wonderful pieces of art there is worth the price of admission.

The Cool, Refreshing Stream

Uncirculated

Postcard Caption:

The Cool, Refreshing Stream

Sunday Stamps

The figure skating and cross-country skiing stamps are part of a four-stamp series to commemorate the 1984 Olympic games. The other two sports are downhill skiing and hockey. The Free Lance-Star published an article about these stamps in January 1984.

I received these stamps on a piece of mail, but the USPS missed canceling them and putting a postmark on them.

I Did Not Have Much Help

Postmarked 21 July 1953

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Postcard Caption:

WALTER REED HOSPITAL / This outstanding hospital, army staffed and supervised, is outstanding the world over particularly for its concentration of remarkable surgical skill.

Postcard Message:

Hi there - Long time no see. Hope you had a nice week end and I am most anxious o talk to your family I am the Chief here and I had to call on Jim to give me a hand last nite but he could only spare 20 minutes so I did not have much help. There is lots of work, and I have too much to do.... Hope you are improving and as soon as we can spare the time we'll be down. / Love Aunt L and Uncle A

Walter Reed Hospital has been in the forefront of care for military personnel since it opened in 1909. The hospital was named after the man who discovered that yellow fever was transmitted by mosquitoes.  

Walter Reed History

Avenida de Hidalgo

Postcard Caption:

Avenida de Hidalgo y Calle de Juan A. dela Fuente.

These street scenes represent one of my very favorite vintage postcard themes. I just wish I knew more about the origin of this card. 

Maybe the Mail Man's on a Vacation

Postmarked 19 July 1940

Westfield, Massachusetts 

Postcard Caption:

Here's bringing you luck, and lots of it!

Postcard Message:

Friday No. 6 / Dear Betty - How are you this very warm day? I didn't get a letter today from you why? Maybe the mail man's on a vacation or is it Betty / Love Auntie Ida / See you Sunday

I only have No 3 and No 6 of the postcards that Aunt Ida sent to Betty at Camp Mishnoah. Whenever I went to camp in the summer, my family was always very good about sending me lots of mail, just like Auntie Ida.

The Balanced Rock

Postmarked 18 July 1929
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Postcard Caption:

THE BALANCED ROCK is one of the wonders of the Pike's Region. It is located just west of the Garden of the Gods in the section of peculiar rock formation known as Mushroom Park. The huge boulder weighing many tons rests of a base of but a few feet seemingly almost ready to topple but continues to stand.

Message:

FRONT: May 1929 / One of the wonders of the Pike's Region Weighs many tons - rests on only a few feet

BACK: Dear Mom / I see this to-morrow. I start for the Grand Canyon of Arizona to-morrow. / Love / Mary

The Interweb says the formation has been reinforced with concrete, but still stands (as of December 2010).

Would You Like to Own a Dog?

Postmarked 16 July 1940
Westfield, Massachusetts 

Postcard Caption:

Happy days, Lucky Days, All the Best, Always!

Postcard Message:

Betty: This is Tuesday No. 3. How are you today? What are you doing at craft? Would you like to own a dog? Fran and D-- are going to write you so you'll get some more mail. Lots of love Auntie Ida

Robinson Street One Year Ago

Postcard Caption:

Robinson St., looking North, Oklahoma City, Okla.

We've Been Around a Little Bit

Postmarked 14 July 1954

New York, New York

Postcard Caption:

PUBLIC LIBRARY / New York City / The magnificent building of the library of New York is located at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. It was built in 1911 at a cost of $9,000,000 and contains spacious reading rooms, exhibition rooms, and art galleries. Its book collections are priceless.

Postcard Message:

Hi Joe; / How's business? I've seen stamp displays in quite a few places but they're always close. Well, at least we've been around a little bit. We live just off Times Square. Take it Easy. / See you, Don

Here's one of the library's famous lions, photographed in June 2010.

Visit the New York Public Library online!

Most Restful, Cool, and Grand

Postmarked 13 July 1937
Havana, Cuba

Postcard Caption:

The Capitol Building is a marvel of Engineering, Sculpture, and Painting. Built at a cost of over sixteen million dollars, it represents everything modern in construction and is considered the most beautiful palace in Latin America. One of the greatest features in the interior is the enormous statue representing Cuba.

Message:

Everything fine, the water is so blue and calm most restful cool and grand, it was so hot when we left home 104° on the front door at 9 a.m. So this is like heaven -- Jean

I Hope You Can Soon Come Home

Postmarked 11 July 1914

Friends-, Pennsylvania

Postcard Caption:

Palisades - Hudson River

Postcard Message:

Dear Mildred:- / We were all very sorry to hear that you had to go to the hospital. I hope you can soon come home. I remain your loving friend / Mary K. Coleman

The Palisades are a group of cliffs along the Hudson River. In May of this year, a rock slide forced some of the trails in the Palisades Interstate Park to close.

Linky Love

Recently, I changed the root name of my blog to reflect its current title, The Postman Loves Me. The blog address is now: thepostmanlovesme.blogspot.com. Some of my readers who have their own blogs graciously linked to The Postman Loves Me using the address funposties.blogspot.com. If you have this old link on your page, I hope you will update it to the new address. You can also use the address www.thepostmanlovesme.com. Thank you for your support!

A Busy Little Girl

Postmarked 11 July 1906
Nashua, New Hampshire

Postcard Message:

July 10th 1906. / My dear sweetheart: Here is a busy little girl who will visit you every day for a week. Lovingly, Auntie Low

I only have the Wednesday postcard, bu here's what I've learned about the days in the Sunbonnet girl series:

Sunday - Going to Church
Monday - Laundry 
Tuesday - Ironing
Wednesday - Sewing
Thursday - Cooking / Baking
Friday - Sweeping / Mopping
Saturday - Shopping 

I find it a little creepy that the girl's face is never visible, but always obscured by the bonnet. Perhaps this is so little girls can more easily put themselves in the scene? In any case, the series is an interesting window into the chores of the day and the rigid gender roles.

Many Happy Returns

Postmarked 11 June 1906
New York, New York

Postcard Caption:

Birthday Greetings

Postcard Message:

6/11/06 / Best wishes for "many happy returns." / Blue Bell

I am a July baby. Today is my birthday! 

That's a Positive Fact

Postmarked 12 November 1945
El Reno, Okahoma

Postcard Caption:

St. Anthony's Hospital, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Postcard Message:

Nov 11th / Hiya Beautiful: / The weather ain't bad. / That's a positive fact. / But makes me glad / Is that I'll be back / To my honey-- / Regards to all / Augie

I was born at St. Anthony's Hospital on July 10 almost forty years ago. The hospital opened on August 1, 1898, before Oklahoma was even a state, and it continues to serve Midtown Oklahoma City today.

The Weather Does Not Seem to Make Up Its Mind

Postmarked 8 July 1941

Lake George, New York

Postcard Caption:

Looking North from the Fort William Henry Hotel, Lake George, N.Y.

Postcard Message:

Hello Fred: / We are here again. We were hoping to see you at the Alpine this week. The place is still beautiful but the weather does not seem to make up its mind rain or shine. / Remember Frances and Steve Cali

The posh Fort William Henry Hotel opened in 1855, and it was such a popular destination that new owners dramatically increased the guest capacity. Sadly, in 1909, a fire destroyed the hotel. Two years later, a new, smaller, but still luxurious hotel was opened. Changing tastes and owners couldn't keep the hotel alive, though, and it was torn down in the late 1960s. Just ten years ago, a consortia of Lake George business people decided to open a convention center. To handle the associated demand, the group built a new hotel with designs echoing that of the 1911 building. The current hotel website has a gallery of vintage postcards from the Fort William Henry Hotel.

Sunday Stamps: Coatlicue

This stamp from Mexico depicts a sculpture of Coatlicue, Aztec goddess of life and death. She gets her name from her skirt of serpents. While this might seem harrowing, the site Goddess a Day explains why being a "devouring mother" is not as negative as it sounds.

The Coatlicue stamp is from the 1976 series Arte y Ciencia de Mexico (Art and Science of Mexico). The sculpture was originally part of the Tenochtitlan temple, until Spanish conquistadors buried her as a pagan idol. According to the Interweb, the sculpture was unearthed in Mexico City in 1790 and delivered to the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. Fearing she would awaken ancient beliefs and out-of-place with other artifacts at the University, the sculpture was reburied. In the early 1800s, the sculpture was unearthed for a private viewing by German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, but it was re-interred upon his departure. The sculpture was once again uncovered, this time permanently, in 1824, but it was viewed with embarrassment and placed in storage until it received a prominent displace space at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Britannica Online features a picture of the massive statue.

See other yellow stamps, this week's theme for Sunday Stamps, at Viridian's Postcard Blog.

One Hundred Years Ago: Wonder If It Is As Warm There as Here

Postmarked 7 July 1912
New York, New York

Postcard Caption:

Metropolitan Life Insurance Building, New York

Postcard Message:

Dear Sister: Wonder if it is warm there as here. Had a card from mother said you were doing fine so glad, write me as soon as you are well and feel like writing. Love, L---

Here's a view of the MetLife Tower from June 2010. According to the Interweb, MetLife moved out of the complex in 2005. The tower is currently under development as a hotel.

America's Most Vertical City

Uncirculated

Published by Curteich (1943)

Postcard Caption:

FRONT: Bird's Eye View of Jerome, Arizona

BACK: Jerome is one of Arizona's most interesting cities. Once a teeming mining camp of some 9,000 people, as the ore has been worked out its population has dwindled to less than half that number. Built on the steep mountainside, only one city block of its several miles of streets is on the level. So precipitous are the slopes that entrances from street level give access to third and fourth floors of many of its buildings.

Jerome was not too far from our house in Arizona, and we went there a few times. Promoted as a ghost town, it has some cute shops and great places to take photographs. The current population is less than 500.

New Facebook Page for the Postman Loves Me

I made a new page for The Postman Loves Me blog on Facebook. If you are a member of the site, please "like" the page! You can get the blog posts delivered right to your feed. If you aren't on FB, don't worry! There will be no changes to the blog.

We Sure Are Getting a Big Kick Out of This

Postmarked 4 July 1932
Atlantic City, New Jersey

Publisher: Bamforth & Co.

Message:

Everything crowded down here. could hardly move on Steel Pier last night. Water is cold. but we sure are getting a big kick out of this. / Flo and Bertha

Happy July 4th!

Have a fabulous, safe holiday!

Women Swimmin'

I am training for this year's Women Swimmin', a swim across Cayuga Lake, to benefit Hospicare and Palliative Services of Tompkins County. When I saw they'd printed postcards to promote the event, I was thrilled.

We will be swimming the 1.2 miles across Cayuga Lake, visible in the upper center of the photograph below, on August 18.



My Fundraising Page

Mr. Zip

On this day in 1963, the post office introduced the five digit zip code. Mr. Zip was the star of a promotional campaign to help reduce public resistance to the change.

Sunday Stamps

Fun King Arthur stamps from the UK! See more Sunday Stamps on Viridian's Postcard Blog!