Category: Origin

Other Locations, Postcards

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

Kate

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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North America, Postcards

Greetings from Xochimilco [1920 – Mexico]

Kate

1920 Scenic Postcard Image - Xochimilco, Mexico lg

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.

1920 Scenic Postcard Message - Xochimilco, Mexico lg

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

Xochimilco, Mexico.

Ca. 1910-1919 Source: Flickr

Image from page 154 of

Further Reading: Xochimilco Wikipedia

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

No sign of moving yet [1919 – Bar-le-Duc, France]

Kate

Great War Postcard Feb 1919 back lg

The Treaty of Versailles had not yet been signed, but Umberger can certainly see the light at the end of the tunnel. With a location-less postmark from the U.S. Army Postal Service, there’s no telling exactly from where in Europe this postcard was sent.  Umberger would likely have been in the vicinity of Bar-le-Duc at some point to have acquired the image of this town in Northwest France. Hopefully he arrived back on American soil not long after his postcard did.

I have two postcards from this WWI soldier, A.C. Umberger. Here is the other, sent in March 1919.

Great War Postcard Feb 1919 lg

A pretty nice place. Hope to be home soon to play with you but there is no sign of moving yet.

Yours

A.C. Umberger

To:

  • Miss Jean T. Hunter
  • 326 E. Bucynus St.
  • Crestline, Ohio
  • U.S.A.

Postmark: U.S. Army Postal Service, Feb 18, 1919 / “Passed as censored” stamp

Image: Bar-le-Duc

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

If you don’t pull the string! [1943 – Jefferson Barracks, Missouri]

Kate

1943 Postcard image - Jefferson Bks Missouri lg

“It Won’t Mean a Thing If You Don’t Pull The String!”

This bright paratrooper cartoon referencing a famous big band hit pokes fun at the serious and dangerous training service members face. On the reverse, Dick inquires about Felix’s new truck. Perhaps it was a Chevy.

I couldn’t find any information about Cpl Chapman’s unit, but Jefferson Barracks, Missouri is a small installation located on the western bank of the Mississippi River active during the Civil War and still home to Army National Guard and Air National Guard units.

1943 Postcard message - Jefferson Bks Missouri lg

Hello Tyson

Wonder how things are there now. I hear you are doing ok. How about the new truck? Wish I could be there for a while at least. Write.

Dick.

To:

  • Felix Tyson
  • Morrison, Ave
  • Gallatin, Tenn.

From:

  • Cpl. R. h. Chapman
  • 24th T. Ga.A.F.T.T.C
  • Jefferson Bks, MO.

Manufacturer: Beals, Des Moines, Iowa

References:

Jefferson Barracks, Mo Wikipedia

Postcards, United States

Gaye & Leo Get Hitched [1985 – Williamsburg, Va]

Kate

1985 Williamsburg, VA postcard image lg

Gaye seems to think getting married is not much of a big deal. There are many beautiful spots in Colonial Williamsburg to tie the knot, so I hope they were happy with their choice of locales. I’m sure “the kids” were glad to see her at the end of her travels. There’s no telling, however, how her new husband felt about them though. Perhaps he was a cat-guy.

1985 Williamsburg, VA postcard message lg

Dear Leonora & Jim,

Leo & I got married here in Williamsburg yesterday. Is a beautiful area. On to D.C. & Binghamton. Back in Miami Sept 16. Sent “the kids” to boarding school. Probably won’t get a meow when I return.

Love Gaye

Postmark: Richmond, Virginia September 1985

Pictured: Governor’s Palace Gardens – Colonial Williamsburg

 

 

Postcards, United States

Mildred at SBTS [1946 – Louisville, Ky]

Kate

1946 Louisville, Kentucky postcard image lg

Mildred seems to be thriving as a seminary student and happy to be sending an update to her parents back in Georgia.

It was written in spurts, with her mentioning that plans changed before it went in the mail. I especially love the writing on the front, something I have done on postcards myself and most of us do digitally now, doodling on pictures that we can send to friends and family in an instant.

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY stands today, still educating those who are called to Christian ministry.

1946 Louisville, Kentucky postcard message lg

“The campus is really pretty now. Especially, as the leaves are beautiful.”

Fri. night —

Dearest Mother & Daddy,

It is colder here today & looks as though it may rain.

School today was full of duties, etc. Reports must go out next week, so I’ll really be busy doing that tonight, I know.

Sabin[?] is fine & and studying as well. There is no special news from here now. We’re both O.K. & hope you are.

Sat.– We’re going to another church to preach tomorrow – leaving this P.M. & will be back tomorrow P.M. – did not go after all.

Lots of love,

Mildred

Will write later.

To: Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Orren[?]

Postmark: Louisville, KY – October 22, 1946

Image: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky

Commentary, United States

Following Buddy Marress, WWII G.I.

Kate

I was excited to find Buddy’s postcards because of the longer story they reveal.

Buddy was born in 1918. His enlistment record indicates that he worked in the education field and had completed 3 years of college. (I don’t often try to look up the names on my postcards, but since I had so much information, in this case I gave it a shot.)

Postcard Timeline

Enlisted: May 23, 1942 – Fort Oglethorpe, GA (age 23, unmarried at time of enlistment)

Source: National Archives Enlistment Record

Date Sent from Current Unit/Base Rank Recipient Name Recipient location
26-Aug-42 Salt Lake City, Utah Army Air Base, Salt Lake Pvt Gladys Bell Lobelville, Tn
5-Apr-43 St Louis, Missouri 21st Sqd. Topeka, Ks ? Mrs. E Bell Lobelville, Tn
29-Aug-43 Topeka, Kansas 21st Sqd. Topeka, Ks Sgt Mrs. L. H. Marress Lobelville, Tn
13-Sep-43 Topeka, Kansas 21st Sqd. Topeka, Ks ? Mrs. L. H. Marress Lobelville, Tn
9-Apr-44 Topeka, Kansas 25th Adr’m Sq. (S) Cpl. Gladys Marress Linden, Tn

It seems that Miss Gladys Bell became Mrs. Marress during the summer of 1943.

Buddy Marress’s wife is buried in Perry County Tennessee: Marress, Gladys Bell, Apr. 1916-Dec. 9, 1989, “Wife of Loyd Marress”

bonds-topeka-army-airfield
Topeka Army Airfield http://9thbombgroup.org/99th-BS-files/war-bonds/they-bought-bonds.html

 

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Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Darling [1943 – Topeka, Ks.]

Kate

Marress - Sept 1943 Topeka Image lg

Lloyd Marress WWII Postcard Series (#4 of 5)

Sept 1943

This postcard matches a previous one, from Buddy sent in August. It seems he jotted a note just to send a little something back to his wife in Tennessee. He was working hard doing his part for the war effort. I wonder what her days were like at home in his absence.

Marress - Sept 1943 Topeka message lg

Monday morning

Darling,

No. I haven’t forgotten you, just been awfully busy. Will write tonite. I promise. Hope you’re feeling good as usual. My cold is lots better.

I’ve been to the fair 2 nites. Bye for now.

Love, Buddy

To:

  • Mrs. L. H. Marress
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

From:

  • L. H. Marress
  • 21st Sq. (S)
  • Topeka, Kansas

Postmark: Sep 13, 1943 – Topeka, Kansas

Image: “Topeka Kansas U.S.O.” Promotional postcard produced by John Morrell & Co.

Other postcards from Lloyd “Buddy” Marress

 

 

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

TH-55 Osage Helicopter [1984 – Dothan, Alabama]

Kate

1984 Dothan, Alabama postcard image helicopter lg

I imagine that this postcard was sent by someone with a connection to Fort Rucker (located near Dothan, Alabama), which remains 30 years later the home of Army Aviation and the flight school for the Army’s rotary wing pilots. I can personally attest to the fact that there are many spiders and snakes in Lower Alabama, as mentioned by Brad, the sender.

For more info about the training aircraft pictured: Hughes TH-55 Osage Helicopter

1984 Dothan, Alabama postcard message lg

Hi Friends!

Tim, I really enjoyed our phone call the other night. Don’t forget about the spiders and snakes headed my way in a week or so, okay? You both take care and keep thinking about January, also know that you two cross my thoughts fondly very often.

More later, Brad

The Hughes TH-55A “Osage” Helicopter

The Huges TH-55A is the helicopter used by the U.S. Army for primary training of Army pilots in rotary wing aircraft. The army aviation training facilities are located at Fort Rucker in southeast Alabama. Every pilot will long remember his first “Solo” in the TH-55A, even after years of flying in far more sophisticated aircraft.

Postmark: Dothan, AL – October 29, 1984

Postcards, United States

You’uns Are Hot- We’uns Are not [1939 – North Carolina]

Kate

1939 Hendersonville NC image lg

“Having a big time.”

Billy’s sarcasm towards Annemarie is what makes 1930s postcard charming, and I think I’m going to bring that phraseology back as an alternative to “great” time. I bet it really was nice in the Blue Ridge Mountains just South of Asheville, NC in July.

In my eyes, the main quality of a great postcard is leaving the reader wanting to know more! This one certainly poses so many more questions than it answers. I want to know what’s happening off stage!

1939 Hendersonville NC message lg

Dear Annemarie-

Haven’t got enough to say to write a letter– hence the card. I’m visiting Chick now and having a big time. Guess I’ll go back to S.C. and cruise around before I come home. In the meantime try to bear up under the strain of my absence.

Billy

To:

  • Miss Annemarie Dünzelmann
  • 1118 Madison St.
  • Clarksville, Tennessee

Postmark: Hendersonville, N. C. – July 19, 1939