When it comes to spending your time in the Service on a remote island during World War II, I would wager that most folks first think of the Pacific Theater. However, the American military boasted a robust presence in the Atlantic as well, including places like Bermuda and the Azores. Based on his handwriting, it appears this sender served as his own censor before sending this postcard to Delaware in mid-1941. The Lend-Lease policy would have been the dominant policy at the time, prior to the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States’ subsequent official entry into World War II in December of 1941. Continue reading “When you come to Bermuda [1941 – Bermuda]”
Category: North America
except United States
Mailed on Halloween [Indiana, circa 1910]
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_?_
Little Fanny has Grown! [1948 – Knoxville, Tennessee]
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.”
It does get a little expensive. [1967 – Freeport, Bahamas]
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]
Greetings from Xochimilco [1920 – Mexico]
Reasons why I find this particular postcard fascinating:
- Name: An addressee name I’ve never heard before: “Alphild” (a traditional Norse forname)
- Uncommon date: Postcard popularity slowed in the 1920s, so this is one of the few I have from that decade.
- Place: Xochimilco is a fascinating location. This postcard was sent before Xochimilco was incorporated into Mexico City in 1928, and retains its distinct identity today. Chinampa is the type of traditional agriculture practice here along the canals, and is a tourist attraction as well.
- Content: I always enjoy reading about how the sender got to their destination, and here William H. mentions a pleasant train journey. What a train ride to Mexico City must have been like in 1920 is fascinating to imagine.
Greetings from Xochimilco Mexico. Had a very pleasant train trip to Mexico City. The weather is Simply Magnificent. How was your trip home? And how is little Alphild?
My Best William H.
- Misses Alphild & Evanna Larson
- 5100 S. Cornell
- Chicago, Ill
- U.S.A.
Postmark: 17 April 1920 – Mexico
More about the location:
Xochimilco, Early 20th Century
Ca. 1910-1919 Source: Flickr
Further Reading: Xochimilco Wikipedia
Sugar Cane Harvest [1956 – Cuba, via Miami]
This one comes from a period of great upheaval in Cuba, but the sugar cane still needed to be harvested.
Havana – Jan 20th
The sugar-cane harvest begins this week. We saw the carts being loaded as we drove from Matauzas this morning.
Love,
Grandmother
They cut with machetes. Gram
To:
- David B. Stewart
- 909 Woodmont Blvd.
- Nashville, Tenn.
Postmark: Miami, Fla. – Jan 21, 1956 – Fight infant paralysis Join March of Dimes
Front image: Cutting sugar cane. Habana. Corte de Caña
Quiet Island Trip [St. Barts, 1974]
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.
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