Category: Other Locations

Military Postcards, North America, Other Locations, Postcards

When you come to Bermuda [1941 – Bermuda]

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St George's, Bermuda APO 802 - 1941 Postcard lg

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]” →

Other Locations, Postcards

Greetings from the “Land Down Under” [1971 – Australia]

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1971 Travel Postcard Image - Sydney, Australia lg

A description of jet-lag, the superb inflight service, and the quirks of Australian plumbing & electrical fixtures fill up this traveler’s early 1970s message back to the states.

1971 Travel Postcard Message - Sydney, Australia lg

Sydney, Aust. 7-14-71 2:45 A.M.

Hi Neighbors,

Greetings to you from the “Land Down Under.” I hope this reaches you before you leave. Here it is early morning & I’m wide awake (it is about 11:45 A.M. there on 7-13. It was an 18 hour flight down here on Qantas with excellent service – 1 stewardess & 5 men stewards to serve us. The weather here is sunny & bright even tho it is the dead of winter. Where we have the yellow pages in the phone book – there are pink & the hot & cold faucets are opposite ours & the light switches work upside down. The people are friendly. Have a good trip.

Sincerely, Walt Neiman

Sent to: Kalama, Washington

Postmark: Potts Point, Australia – July 14, 1971

Image: Sydney Harbor Bridge, view of Express Way and North Shore

Postcard Context

Qantas introduce the “Jumbo Jet” into their fleet in September 1971 (Qantas.com), just after the above postcard was sent. Take a look at this meal service.

Boeing : 747Image source: Flickr Commons https://flic.kr/p/7ZCzr7

Further Reading:

Daily Mail: The Golden Age of Australian Airline Travel

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Europe, Other Locations, Postcards

Affectionate Brother [India – London, 1908]

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london-1908

More than a century ago, Fred sent this simple note to his sister in London from somewhere in colonial India. The building pictured on this card still exists at Mount Abu. See the modern building here: http://camahotelsindia.com/camarajputana/ The politics of colonialism are sticky subject at best, but that doesn’t take away from this being a snapshot of an interesting time period in history.

My favorite line: “I remain your affectionate Brother.” Siblings simply don’t address each other with such flowery language anymore. I am as grateful for the advance of modernity as the next gal, but text messages and twitter don’t compare to a quick handwritten message like this one.

If you can identify the postmark, please let me know!

london-1908-m

Image: “Mount, abu Club.”

Ds. W.

Just a few lines in answer to your letter hoping this will find you quite well as I am alright at present. Excuse card[.] will right letter next week[.] hoping Lizzie is quite well.

I remain your affectionate Brother Fred

To:

  • Ms. W. Ellens
  • 16 Lowndes Squ
  • Knightsbridge
  • London SW
  • England

Postmark: LONDON.S.W. Nov 9, 1908

Illegible Postmark (India) BOL–? (Stamp missing.)

 

Europe, Other Locations, Postcards

Making great progress [Israel, 1950]

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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]

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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