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. 

Boating on the Delaware

Postmarked 16 September 1948
Bartsonville, Pennsylvania
Published by Stroudsburg Glass Co. Stroudsburg, Pa.

Postcard Caption:

Boating on the Delaware - Delaware Water Gap, PA.

Message:

September 13, 1948 / I'm having a swell time. How are you all? How's Carl hope he's well and happy in school. / See you soon / Love Ada and Geo.

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

He Who Does Not Love His Dog, Does Not Love His Friends

Uncirculated

"The Oval Panel Series" G.D. & D.L.

POSTCARD CAPTION:

Grace and Remembrance to you -- Shakespeare 

It is but a saying old,
Still to truth it tends,
He who does not love his dog
Does not love his friends.
--Clifton Bingham

This is a very sad card, but it is also interesting to me. It's not too hard to find pet sympathy cards in card shops in the United States, but this is the first time I've ever seen a vintage postcard expressing sympathy on the loss of a dog. On a happier note, it's a beloved pug.

I picked this card because today is National Dog Day! This day celebrates our four-legged friends and tries to draw attention to the plight of homeless, neglected and abused animals. How many of these 50 Ways to Celebrate have you completed?

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

The Exams Are Quite Hard So Far

Postmarked 23 August 1911
Ithaca, New York

Message:

Tue. Night / Have a very nice place to board. Am busy most of the time but am enjoying everything. / Think the exams are quite hard so far. Wonder where you are now. It's getting dark so I'll quit. / Ruth

I believe this is the same block, based on the Unitarian Church steeple. (It's the church where I was married, by the way!)

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

I Forgot You Were in the Eskimo Region

Postmarked 11 February 1951
Daytona Beach, Florida

Message:

Hello you:- How are you this nice sunshiney day? Excuse me I forgot you were in the Eskimo region. You should be here and get a tan. Altho we have had some cold here at nights. We rec. Ruths letter today. Very interesting Ruth.

Way to rub it in!

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

Desert Sweethearts

Today is National Hug Day! Enjoy the cute burros on the postcard; ignore the message on the back!



Postmarked 18 September 1949
Barstow, California

Postcard Caption:

THE BURRO is unconsciously a comedian -- wise and adverse to labor. These hardy shaggy little animals were introduced into the Southwest by the Spaniards, and proved indispensable in the mines and on the desert. They have multiplied to great droves in some sections, and do a great deal of damage.

Message:

Dear Putz -- You know something, these burros sure look dumb, they stand so still they almost look like they were made of wood or stone. I had to make a jackass move yesterday in Mexico to prove to grandma that it was not an image. / Grandpop

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

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.

Fun Loving Pugs - Is There Any Other Kind?

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

Angry Bears

Uncirculated
Issued by Tichnor/The Union News Company

I've been in quite a bad mood recently, so I emphathize with the plight of these bears. Lucky for the current bear residents, since the Brookfield Zoo opened in 1934, the bears' habitat has been dramatically upgraded. The Great Bear Wilderness, the largest exhibit at zoo, hosts grizzly bears, polar bears, eagles, Mexican gray wolves, and bison. The two bears there now, Angoon Axhi and Kootznoowoo Jim, each weigh over 1,000 pounds!

I admit I have ambivalent feelings about zoos. On the one hand, I don't like that animals are kept in unnatural, captive environments. On the other, some zoos are responsible caretakers and contribute to animal conservation efforts, and the keepers at these zoos are passionate, loving stewards. Visit the Brookfield Zoo's Grizzly Bear page to learn more about the bears and how important they are - and what you can do to help.

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

As Soon As I Have Some Spare Time

Postmarked 2 December 1907
Southold, NY

Message:

I didn't have time to write yesterday as I went up to Frances but will write as soon as I have some spare time. Hope you arrived home safe after all. -- BE

I wish I knew more about this postcard. While the clogs are an undeniable clue, the back of the postcard proves that the image's origin is Dutch. Also on the back of the postcard, you have POSTCARD translated into almost twenty different languages!

As messages go, this one is fairly run of the mill, though I wonder what led the sender to hope Frank got home safe "after all" - after all what? These are the mysteries that make vintage postcards so fun!

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

Speaking of Grandma

Here is grandma, circa 1947, on a real photo postcard. Isn't she a looker? She's still as glamorous today!



Uncirculated

To learn more about real photo postcards (RPPC), visit this page on the 2 Buds website!

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

Manitou Springs, Colorado

A different view of Manitou Springs:



Postmarked 30 June 1960
Colorado Springs, CO

Thanks to Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy for hosting PFF!