Category: Origin

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Out Where the West Begins [1942, Utah]

Kate

Marress - 1942 Utah image lg

Lloyd Marress WII Postcard Series (#1 of 5)

August 1942

Here we find Pvt. “Buddy” Marress in Utah, Summer of 1942. I wonder how well he knows Gladys Bell. The wording is familiar, but a bit stiff.

I have to say, as an East coast native myself, I don’t care too much for the poem over-idealizing “the West” with such saccharine poetry. Oh well.

Info about Kearns Air Base, constructed near Salt Lake City during WWII.

Marress - 1942 Utah message lg

Wed-Nite

I’m so glad the Dr. thought you were doing fine. You’ll be a big girl, if you keep going. I enjoyed the letter from Mrs. Bell a lot. I’ll write more next time. I’m studying hard, as usual.

I love you, Buddy

To:

  • Gladys Bell
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

From:

  • Pvt. Lloyd Marress
  • Army Air base Salt Lake City

Postmark: Salt Lake City, Utah – Aug 1942

“Buy Defense Savings Bonds and Stamps” No postage: Military Mail

Image: Out Where the West Begins poem.

Other postcards sent by Lloyd “Buddy” Marress

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Sgt. Marress [1943 – Topeka, Kansas]

Kate

Marress - Aug 1943 Topeka Image lg

Lloyd Marress WWII Postcard Series (#3 of 5)

August 1943

This time we find Buddy, a Sergeant now, writing to his wife in Tennessee. He most likely was serving with the 21st Bombardment Wing which was located in Topeka, Kansas as of May 1943 (Wikipedia). The primary function of Buddy’s unit was “processing heavy bombardment crews and aircraft for overseas movement, and then processing men returning from overseas, from 1942–1946.” He seems to be staying stateside for the war, so perhaps he was an aircraft mechanic or other tradesman prepping bombers for overseas deployment.

I wonder if this postcard was provided for free by the United Service Organization (USO). I’m not sure what else “U.S.O.” could possibly stand for in this context.

Link: History of the Topeka Airport (aka Topeka Army Airfield in 1943).

Marress - Aug 1943 Topeka message lg

Saturday Evening

Darling,

I’m staying on the base tonite, as I said I will. I didn’t work this aft. got caught up on my work, at last.

I hope you’re feeling alright, s–[?] the old medicine made you sick.

I’ll go now, but[?] will be back tomorrow.

Forever yours, Buddy

To:

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

From:

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

Postmark: Aug 29, 1943 – Topeka, Kansas

Image: “From Topeka Kansas U.S.O” John Morrell & Co. Meat packing Promo Postcard featuring Kansas Jayhawk

Other postcards from Buddy Marress

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Postcards, United States

For Mother’s Day, One More Happy Golden Ray

Kate

Mother's Poem Postcard - Rochester 1910s

My parents gave me this antique card to add to my collection. It’s a sweet poem from mother to daughter. The content of the writing indicates that there is distance between them, but since it has no address or postmark, perhaps it was sent in an envelope.

The words seem like they would be a song, but a quick google search didn’t reveal any musical source. Thus I will assume that it is the original work of Esther’s mother. She seems like a lovely lady and a charming poet.

Today, on Mother’s Day, I hope you have a chance to thank the mother figures in your life for adding their own light to the sunshine in your life.

Mother's Poem Postcard message - Rochester 1910s

Dear Esther,

When your letter comes
If when I’m feeling blue
Comes a letter Straight from you
Blues all fade in just a minute
Ever I know what’s in it
If it comes when I am glad,
It cannot fail to add
[To] the sunshine of the day
One more happy golden ray.

Mother

Approximate year: 1910s, based on ink style, fonts, and printing.

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Worn out yes, sir [1943 – St Louis, Mo.]

Kate

Marress - 1943 St Louis Image lg

Lloyd Marress WWII Postcard Series (#2 of 5)

Perhaps Buddy was on a pass for his trip to St. Louis.

Turns out, Shaw’s Garden (pictured on the card) is now the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Marress - 1943 St Louis message lg

Monday aft.

Maura B.

No, I haven’t forgotten you, have I? I’m worn out yes, sir. Will be glad to get back. Bye for now.

Buddy

From:

  • L. H. Marress
  • 21st Sqd. (Squadron)
  • Topeka, KS

To:

  • Mrs. E. Bell
  • Lobelville, Tennessee

Postmark: Saint Louis, Mo. – April 5, 1943

“Buy U.S. Savings Bonds / Ask your Postmaster”

Image: Interior, Floral Display room, Shaw’s Garden, St. Louis, Mo.

Other postcards sent by Lloyd “Buddy” Marress

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

Another view of the Castle [1919 – Marseilles, France]

Kate

Great War Postcard Mar 1919 back lg

Through some quick census research, I’m fairly sure this postcard was sent by Herbert to his father. It boggles my mind that this postcard was sent nearly a century ago.

Tarascon-sur-Rhone Wikipedia

Great War Postcard Mar 1919 lg

Another view of the Castle. Am on my way to Taulon and St Raphael. Am in Marsailles now.

Yours

A. C. Umberger

To:

  • Mr. G. E. Umberger
  • 326 E. Bucyrus St.
  • Crestline, Ohio

From:

  • Herbert C. Umberger

Postmark: U.S. Army Post Office M.P.F.S. Mar 20, 1919

Europe, Postcards

Too much English in Paris [1950 – Paris, France]

Kate

1950 Paris Notre Dame Image lg

It’s so much fun to imagine Rilla’s trip across the pond and stay in Paris (minus being surrounded by seasick passengers). I’m not sure whether I admire her desire to integrate herself into French culture, or if she’s instead a little self-impressed with her own mastery of the local language.

Here’s a bit of historical context: The French Line in the 1950s.

1950 Paris Notre Dame message lg

Sept 30, 1950

Dear Margaret,

The ocean trip was wonderful. I love the French line. The food was out of this world. 6 courses for each meal. I was fortunate enough not to be seasick in spite of a storm the first three days which got most everybody.

I love Paris, but haven’t seen many of the sights yet. I’ve been room-hunting for a place in a private home. There’s too much English spoken at the Maison Américaine, a dormitory where I am now. It’s very cold here. Write.

Love, Rilla

To:

  • Miss Margaret Paschall
  • Route 2
  • Clarksville, Tenn.
  • U.S.A

Postmark: Paris XIV Av du General Leclerc – Sept 30, 1950

Stamps: 5 franc & 10 franc

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North America, Postcards, United States

Sugar Cane Harvest [1956 – Cuba, via Miami]

Kate

1956 Cuba image lg

This one comes from a period of great upheaval in Cuba, but the sugar cane still needed to be harvested.

1956 Cuba message lg

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

Postcards, United States

Please be good boys [1961 – Washington, D.C.]

Kate

1961 Washington DC American Airlines image lg

This dad misses his sons. I miss the time before TSA screening lines.

But, this is really a very sweet postcard message from a dad.

1961 Washington DC American Airlines message lg

6:15 Sun NITE

Hi boys,

Daddy is sitting in the place while they re-fuel and take on food for our supper in Knoxville. I wish you could see the big DC-6 I’m on. And the weather is so pretty. I do wish you could have flown with me.

Please be good boys, and I’ll be writing you every single day.

Love, Daddy

To:

  • Mike & Perry Lindquist
  • Route #3
  • Portland, Tenn.

Postmark: Washington, D.C. – Nov 5, 1961

Stamp: $.07 US Air Mail

Image: American Airlines 707

 

 

 

Postcards, United States

Dead or Alive. [1910 – Vermont]

Kate

1910 Vermont Image lg

Wow, Gladys seems pushy.

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

1910 Vermont message lg

“Greetings Most True”

Jonny are you dead or alive. Why don’t you answer my letter. I wont probably get it unless you put it care of A. J. Macie. hope you will write a good long letter.

From Gladys

Postmark: North Sheldon, VT. April 18 1910

To:

  • Mr. Jonny Cabarra
  • Windsor, VT [?]

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Postcards, United States

Anne in Olympia [Washington, 1932]

Kate

Anne in Olympia, WA 1932 rw.png

For some reason I picture Anne as being very stylish. She definitely seems to be fond of hotel hopping.

anne-in-olympia-wa-1932-mw

Jan. 15, 1932

Hello John!

Just moved over to this hotel. It’s better looking. We have been having snow & plenty.

Toodle-lo

Anne

  • John O. Hunt
  • Tennessee City, Tenn

Postmark: Olympia, Washington – January 16, 1932

Image: Hotel Olympian, Olympia Washington – Western Hotels Inc.

More postcards from Anne to John:

Anne in Everett [1931, Washington]

Anne’s Boss [1932, Washington]