lostgreetings

Correspondence between a Private First Class (PFC) and a Private (PVT), this comic postcard from the 1940’s was sent not once, but twice! And, there are 2 postmarks and 4 separate locations involved:

Barksdale Field, Louisiana (presently Barksdale Air Force Base)
Camp Stewart, Georgia (presently Fort Stewart, near Savannah, Georgia)
Army Airfield, Stuttgart, Arkansas (now Stuttgart Municipal Airport)
Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (now Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport)

It would be interesting to know whether or not Harry did end up in a desert theater, once he was deployed overseas.

Dear Homer,

How did it feel to get back to army life after your furlough. I expect it was lot of fun. I am learning to be a soldier now and maybe I’ll make a good one sometime. It is hot down here and so I ought to be able to stand desert service after this training is over.

Answer soon. Harry

Sent to: Pfc. Homer E. Baugh
1590th 318 [?] S. G.
Barksdale Field, Louisiana

Sent by: Pvt Harry Hawkins
Battery B 195 A. A. A. A. W. Bn.
Camp Stewart, Georgia

Postmark: Camp Stewart, Georgia – June 28, 1943

2nd Postmark on the front: Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana – July 5, 1943

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

Now quartered [1945 – A.P.O. Germany]

January 4, 2018January 4, 2018 lostgreetings

George found himself in a quaint alpine village in the late summer of 1945. The picturesque village of Reit im Winkl is a small German town near the Austrian border with a strong tradition of tourism. No rank or unit is given on this card, but the postcard was stamped at APO 527.

August 17

We are now quartered in this little Alpine village. We are really miles from no where. They say the snow here is terrific gets to 8′ deep in the village. Don’t you think the Alps look beautiful?

George

Postmark: U.S. Army Postal Service A.P.0 572 – 25 Aug 1945

To: Miss Olga Schleichen | 450 N. Pine St. | Indianapolis, Indiana

Image description: Reit im Winkl mit Keisergebirge 2344m

Reit im Winkl

An alpine community in the Southeast corner of modern Germany, to this day, the town has no rail connection (source), but remains a popular destination for winter and summer outdoor sports.

Reit im Winkl Tourist Information

Wikipedia

Commentary, Uncategorized

Change of Programming

December 2, 2017 lostgreetings

Thank you to everyone who has read, commented, or enjoyed any of the postcards I’ve shared here over the last year or so.

Due to other projects, I will be taking a hiatus from posting weekly. I may publish posts intermittently as time allows in the coming months.

Thanks for visiting! Now go send a holiday card to someone you don’t see everyday.

nypl.digitalcollections.b021c2e9-29c6-a684-e040-e00a18060a22.001.w — Source: New York Public Library Digital Collections

Joe E. Brown handing out mail to troops, Luzon, Philippines

Military Postcards, North America, Postcards

Uncle Sam’s Scrubs [1952 – San Diego, CA]

November 20, 2017May 28, 2018 lostgreetings

This postcard was sent during the Korean War by what I assume was a junior enlisted sailor. He gives us no details about his assignment other than what we can see from the the San Diego, CA postmark. Carl writes such an endearing note home to his parents in Tennessee. The handwritten names on the cartoon are my favorite part.

Dear Mother and Daddy

How are all of all there fine I hop. I went to church today. It not much to do here today so I thought I would write you a line. I will send you a picture this next weekend. by for now

Carl {?}

To: Mr. Mrs. J. T. Knight
308 Madison St. N
Nashville 8, Tenn

Postmark: San Diego, California – April 7, 1952

Save

North America, Origin, Postcards

Mailed on Halloween [Indiana, circa 1910]

October 31, 2017October 19, 2017 lostgreetings

Antique Postcard

Man, it would be cool to have the photograph of the sender which had just been taken.

I hope you have a very happy and safe Halloween!

Indianapolis 1910s back

Dear Friends,

Hoping to hear from you soon. Haven’t heard from you for a week or so, so answer.

J.B.

We had some pictures taken together Saturday. You know who [?] that friend of mine.

To: Miss Agnes Shrack

Mooresville, Ind.

Postmark: Indiannapolis, Indiana – October 31, 191_?_

Europe, Postcards

On a Budget [1990 – Stockholm, Sweden]

October 19, 2017May 28, 2018 lostgreetings

World traveling on a budget isn’t easy, but this family seems to have enjoyed their visit.

This is how we all shared our adventures with friends and family before Facebook and Instagram changed everything, for better or worse.

Dear Sue & Gene,

Thanks for your letter. You’re right Stockholm & Sweden are beautiful. The train ride here was very scenic. Lots of lakes & forests. Dad says it reminds him of his uncle’s properties in Canada.

Most of the affordable hotels were full, now we are staying in a private apartment. It has a beautiful view of the City Hall.

Hope spring finds you both well & happy. I know you’ll be busy. “Hello to Jen & Helen”

Love, Dad, Linda, Sean & Patrick

Postmark: Stockholm, Sweden – April 23, 1990

Postcards, United States

Cannot walk home [1910 – Bensenville/Chicago, Illinois]

October 12, 2017October 11, 2017 lostgreetings

Postcards like this one always prompt me to reflect on how places change over decades. The building pictured is the Art Institute of Chicago, constructed in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exhibition. The card was postmarked Bensenville, Illinois, which is located near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

This antique photograph postcard reflects an earlier era before the divided back postcard format. The message had to be squeezed on the front and the reverse reserved for the address only.

The place and time where Marie wrote and sent this card seems as distant from our present as our nearest celestial neighbors are from Earth itself. The Chicago of today would be unrecognizable to a 1910 resident, save for monumental landmarks such as this one.

“Come for me to night as I cannot walk home very well. Even if it is late. I must sew late any way. Marie”

To: Miss Eleanor Ehlers, Bensenville, Illinois

Postmark: Bensonville, Illinois – July 1, 1910

Image: Real photograph “Art Institute of Chicago”

Continue reading “Cannot walk home [1910 – Bensenville/Chicago, Illinois]” →

Military Postcards, United States

A Big Bang Out of Army Life! [1944 – Camp McFearson/ Atlanta, Georgia]

October 5, 2017September 25, 2017 lostgreetings

Is Private W.E. Prince coming or going? He mentions being stationed soon, but this postcard was sent relatively late in the war.

During World War II, Camp McPherson served as a major intake and discharge point for servicemen and women. Later renamed “Fort McPherson,” the Atlanta, Georgia installation has a long and storied past, a prominent participant in U.S. Army history from the Civil War up through the 21st century.

Saturday 7:30 P.M.

Well I’m still in Georgia. Will be here untill Mon I guess. How is everybody? I am fine. Will write when I get stationed.

Evans

From: PVT W.E. Prince
Camp McFearson, GA

To: Mrs. W.E. Prince
c/o Armour Mince
R#1 Columbia, Tenn.

Postmark: Atlanta, Georgia – Oct 1, 1944

Image: WWII Comic Postcard “I’m getting a big bang out of army life!”

Continue reading “A Big Bang Out of Army Life! [1944 – Camp McFearson/ Atlanta, Georgia]” →

North America

Little Fanny has Grown! [1948 – Knoxville, Tennessee]

September 28, 2017September 28, 2017 lostgreetings

This is a cheeky one. (Pardon my bad joke, I couldn’t resist.)

I think Wallace would have liked texting and the memes of the 21st century. Don’t you?

Can I say this about you the 22nd?

Hello there!

Just here for the day. The meeting is about over I think. Time out for lunch. I will try to write tonight.

I love you,

Wallace

To: Mrs. Wallace Parham
510 Summers Ave.
Louisville, Ky

Postmark: Knoxville, Tennessee – July 9, 1948

Postcard Publisher: “Made by Metropolitan, Everett, Mass.”

Europe, Postcards

Before and After [1937 – Fleet Street, London]

September 21, 2017September 12, 2017 lostgreetings

Featuring an Interwar photograph of St. Clement Danes Church and Fleet Street in London, this postcard proves that worthwhile correspondence can be short. Designed by famed architect Sir Christopher Wren, the church was severely damaged in World War II bombing raids of London. In 1958, St Clement Danes became the Central Church of the Royal Air Force with features inside and out, commemorating units and individual members of the RAF (Wikipedia).

Best Wishes

To: Nashville, Tenn U.S.A.

Postmark: London, 6 Sep 1937 “Post Early in the Day”

More About St Clement Danes

Ablaze after German Blitz May 10, 1941

Continue reading “Before and After [1937 – Fleet Street, London]” →

Author: lostgreetings

Pain in my Canteen [1943 – Camp Stewart, Georgia]