Curated blog of quirky, interesting messages from real vintage and wartime postcards.
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.
Joe E. Brown handing out mail to troops, Luzon, Philippines
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
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!
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_?_
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 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]”
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]”
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.”
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”
Ablaze after German Blitz May 10, 1941
Continue reading “Before and After [1937 – Fleet Street, London]”
Who is Sergeant Graves? And why is he after Dick Chapman? Why is the quality of the milk important information to share? Was Pvt Chapman a fabled milk man before he was drafted or enlisted to serve?
Also, I’m not sure how I feel about the artwork. Are they jeering or cheering? Both?
So many questions.
Dear Tyson,
I am a Pvt in the Air Corps. Sgt Graves hasn’t got me yet. Tell everyone Hello. Milk out here is good.
Dick
To: Mr. Felix Tyson / c/o Crescent Hill Milk Service / Gallatin, Tennessee
From: Pvt R. Q. Chapman, Sqd. A 24 L. G.
Army Air Corps
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Postmark: Jefferson Barracks, Missouri – March 23, 1943
Front Artwork: WWII Army Airborne Comic “They had a reception committee here to meet me!” made by Beals, Des Moines, Iowa
——————-
Also sent by Pvt. R. Q. Chapman: If you don’t pull the string! [1943 – Jefferson Barracks, Missouri]
Is this a novel or a postcard? It’s amazing how little or how much some people write.
The real question is: What does Tommie do for a living? Considering the rental cars, restaurants, sightseeing, and gambling, he seems to have a lot of time for living it up.
What do you think?
Hi- Greetings from The Bahamas
Don had to go to Atlanta to attend some business meetings so I tagged along and we flew to Jacksonville, rented a car & and drove down the coast of Florida & then flew here for a week. Just love it – weather has been terrific altho last nite we did have a little rain. Have been going to the beach. Rented a car so have done some sightseeing and at nite have eaten at some very good restaurants, seen a couple shows & done a little gambling. Slot machines don’t pay out as well as Reno and they don’t have nickel or dime machines so it does get a little expensive. Hope you’ll get to Portland to see sometime soon.
Tommie
To: Mr. & Mrs. E.E. Toivonen[?]
Kalama, Washington
Postmark: Freeport, Bahamas – Feb 24, 1967 [Bahamas 11c stamp]
Image: The Bahama Islands, Lucaya/ Freeport [Bell Channel Marina, Lucayan Country Club, Lucayan Beach Hotel]
