Author: Kate

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Without a Blueprint [1951, N. Dakota]

Kate

Fargo ND 1951 Postcard

I love how the message on the comic side, “Just Married,” matches perfectly with the life events on the reverse. It seems that every possible milestone and location has been mentioned, from one coast to the other (Maine to California) and even the big sky country in between. This postcard is delightfully all over the place.

Fargo ND 1951 Postcard back

Hi Nick-

Had nearly forgotten about that $5. Little more delay then will fwd to you in Calif. Next straight to Conn(?)., got married, a ’47 Chev, then drove to Mont, now heading to Presque Isle, Me (23rd FE. Ny.) Next project is getting a new car, then freedom from the above!

Hope to see you & family, please ans. to Ny address after I write again.

Red Serginson (T/Sgt)

  • T/Sgt Walter Nikkel Jr.
  • A.F. 37710692
  • 641 Morey Ave
  • Del Caso Htgs
  • Sacremento, Calif.

Postmark: Fargo, N. Dakota, Aug 12, 1951

“Can’t you architects do anything without a blueprint?”

Related Postcards:

Same Recipient: “Walter Nikkel” – Nice spot in the Azores [1953, Portugal]

 

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

The Great War [1919, France]

Kate

great-war-postcard-apr-1919-backWartime postcards are among my favorite finds. This one features two famous Parisian landmarks on the reverse.

The Treaty of Versailles had been signed and Armistice Day was not far in the past when this postcard was censored by a U.S. Army Captain. The Great War was all but over for this soldier who apparently had some free time to visit Brussels. I can’t imagine what harrowing things he experienced during his service in Europe, but I am glad he seemed to make it through.

More information about WWI postcards via the Smithsonian National Postal Museum: http://arago.si.edu/record_76880_img_1.html

great-war-postcard-apr-1919

France Apr 8/19

Your kind letter received and was very glad to hear from you. Had a pleasant visit to Brussels Belg. and Paris. Oh you Paris. Hope this finds you well.

From

Ges[?]

Censored by Captain U.S. Army

To:

  • Mrs. R. P. Alexander
  • 3344 Ruckle St
  • Indianapolis, Ind. USA

Postmark: U.S. Army  with “Passed as Censored” Stamp

Image: Place de la Concorde, Paris. Obelisk with the Arc de Triomphe in the distance.

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Europe, Other Locations, Postcards

Making great progress [Israel, 1950]

Kate

View from the Carmel, Vintage Postcard - Israel 1950

This postcard comes from a fascinating time and place. Sent from Italy (as indicated by the postmark), the sender mentions writing it on the shores of Galilee in the first years of the new nation of Israel. If you can translate the Hebrew text, I’d love your help reading what it says.

Vintage postcard message

Tuesday, Jul 25, 1950

Dear Paul, This is written on the shore of Galilee. Whole trip has been wonderful. Have kept going day & night the past ten days in Palestine. Israel is making great progress. We’re coming home soon as possible now, the Lord willing. Best wishes to you & your family – George W Dettoff

To:

  • Mr. Paul Brown
  • Rt. 6
  • Murfreesboro, Tennessee
  • U.S.A.

Postmark: Ferrovia, Roma 1950

Stamps: Italian 20 lire & 50 lire

 

Europe, Other Locations, Postcards

Steel Holiday [Istanbul, 1977]

Kate

I once spent Christmas (when my husband was deployed) speaking German with a Greek friend, at her grandparents’ Gasthaus in Bavaria — not a blood relative of mine within several time zones. This postcard is from a sender who is also far from home at that time of year when most of us are trying to get “home.”

Spending the holidays away from home is always an interesting prospect. In this case, the sender is also undertaking a business endeavor — building a steel mill in Turkey. I do wonder if they completed the project within the two years they mention in the postcard.

If you too ever have the chance to spend the holidays in a more adventurous location, I recommend giving it a try.

istanbul-1977

istanbul-1977-2

12/11/77

Greetings from Istanbul, Turkey. Rausu[?] Engineers and I are trying to build a steel mill, hopefully before spring 1979.

Seems like a long way from Dearborn, Chicago and friends which makes holiday season a little more meaningful –

Ginny[?] & Joe Faloon

Kucuk Bebek Lad[?]

Bebek Istanbul Turkey

To:

  • Mr. & Mrs. James A Merry
  • 10316 West Charter Mall Rd.
  • Thiensville Wisconsin 53092
  • U.S.A.

Image: Istanbul – The mosque of Soliman the Magnificent and the Golden Horn          

Postmark: illegible, Turkish postage

 

 

                          

Postcards, United States

Happy Christmas [Pennsylvania, 1930]

Kate

pennsylvania-xmas-1930-p

Though it did pass through the mail, there isn’t really a message written by the sender except a name. So, I picked this one for the artwork and the postmark. I love the vibrant graphic on the front of the card.

pennsylviania-xmas-1930-m

Aunt Maggie

To:

  • Miss Peggy White
  • 142 Washington St
  • Shilligton, Pa.

Postmark: Robesonia PA. Dec 22, 1930

Postcards, United States

Rabbits [Indiana, 1909]

Kate

Indiana 1909Indiana 1909 back

This postcard from Horace has pretty good penmanship and I find the spelling errors charming. I am curious what was going on with those rabbits, though.

-23 -09

Dear Karl – I am going to school and Rabbits are very [sharp?]. Mr. Jackson is common down for for Xmas. I hope you all hapy Xmas. And a hapy new yr.

Respectfully yours. Horace F. Budd.

To:

  • Mr Karl Reiman
  • 2635 Northwestern Ave
  • Indianapolis, Indiana

Postmark: December 24, 1909 – Morristown, Ind.

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Postcards, United States

A Merry Christmas to your very good self [1916, N.C.]

Kate

N.C. Christmas 1916N.C. Christmas 1916B

Postmark: Dec 22, 1916 –  Sandyridge, N.C.

To

  • Miss Era Shafor
  • Sandyridge N.C.

“A Merry Christmas to your very good self from your very good friends.”

I have been looking for a invitation to that dance for a long time[.] it is coming off [.] Hurry up[.] I want to dance some -?- had

R.F.D.

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

Nice spot in the Azores [1953, Portugal]

Kate

Azores Postcard 1950s Vintage

I love this postcard. It’s so informal and full of life.

I wonder if 1SG (First Sergeant) Nikkel ever took a pass and made it out to this scenic spot in the Azores for a visit. I’m sure the islands were even more remote and exotic feeling in the 1950s than they are even still today.

Lajes Field, a small but strategically located air base in the Portuguese Azores out in the Atlantic Ocean remains an active part of the NATO foot print with strong U.S. Military influence.

Azores 1953 Vintage Postcard

Postmark: Missing (Azores, Portugal)

Handwritten Date: April 18, 1953

Stamp: Portugal

To:

  • Ex. Mo Senhor I ro. Sargento
  • Walter Nikkel
  • 1605 Air Police Sqdn. AATS
  • Lajes, Terceira

Front: S. Miguel—Açores—Lagoas Verde e Azul das Sete-Cidades  Foto Toste

18 April 53

I wish you & Mac are here with me. God damn it, this is a nice spot! Why don’t you take a 3-day pass (and Mac), & get the hell down here?! I am damn sure you both would like it muito!!

My best regards – [name?]

Aerial of Lajes Field 1950s

Note (3/11/2020): Thanks to Ricardo Reis for commenting to let me know that the last word of the message is “muito,” which is Portuguese for “much.”

Much appreciated!

Related Postcards:

Without a Blueprint [1951, N. Dakota] Same recipient (Walter Nikkel)

 

North America, Postcards

Quiet Island Trip [St. Barts, 1974]

Kate

St Bart 1974 front

This postcard is somewhat standard for a vacation message sent to a friend, but I like to think there’s more than meets the eye.

I’m not sure Paula has embraced “island time” if she’s racing about, but it still sounds like a pleasant trip to the Caribbean. I wish I could join her on the lovely beaches with crystal clear water. Or, maybe she already has a companion that she’s too polite to mention, a well-tanned American gentleman with whom she’s enjoying the evening breeze and a rum cocktail on the weather-worn patio of an ocean side cafe. It’s the 1970s, after all.

St Bart 1974 back

To:

  • Mr./Mrs. M. H. Galbraith
  • 2217 Johnston Road
  • Columbus, Ohio 43220

Tues, Aug 20, 1974

Arrived here last Wed. after a rather quiet and not too interesting stay on Nevis. St. Barts is quite small but very lovely – good beaches and crystal clear waters. Weather has been fantastic, even if a bit warm. Most guests are French (and not overly friendly), but I have been able to meet some nice Americans. Have rented a car and am racing about. Love, Paula

Postmark: St. Barthelemy

Postage: Republique Francaise, 15 franc and 65 franc Stamps

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Postcards, United States

Anne’s Boss [1932, Washington]

Kate

Washington 1932 front

This short message is one of my favorites. It’s early 1932. Herbert Hoover was president, Duke Ellington would write “Don’t Mean A Thing, If it Ain’t Got That Swing,” and Anne had seen hide nor hair of her boss.

There are so many questions left unanswered. How long had she been in Olympia waiting? Why was she expecting to meet her boss? What line of work was she in? The concise language and the fact that she’s “still waiting” tell me there’s an interesting story behind this card.

Washington 1932 back

 Hello There,

Well, I’m still here & haven’t seen my boss yet. Will write to-morrow.

Love – Anne

To

  • Mr. John O Hunt
  • Tennessee City, Tenn.

Postmark: Jan 11, 1932 – Olympia, Washington

Front: New Governor Hotel, Olympia Wash.