Category: Origin

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.

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Managed to get to the show ok [1944, KS]

Kate

Colorado&Kansas 1944

Lloyd Marress WWII Postcard Series (#5 of 5)

I wonder if this soldier is writing to his mother or his wife. Either way, I hope the show was enjoyable, and that he made it home to see her in Tennessee.

Colorado&Kansas 1944 back

Friday Night (Saturday)

Dearest,

It surely is a [fine?] nite out here but I managed to get to the show O.K. Things are running as usual, still on the job. hope you are still O.K. I’ll write a letter soon.

Lots of Love

Buddy

Postmark: 9 AM April 9, 1944 – Topeka, Kansas

From

  • Cpl. L.H. Marress
  • 25th. Adr’m. SQ. (S).
  • Army Air Base
  • Topeka, Kansas.

To

  • Mrs. Gladys Marress
  • P.O. Box 114
  • Linden, Tennessee.

Other postcards sent by Lloyd “Buddy” Marress

 

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Europe, Postcards

Driving the tires right off [c.1985, Italy]

Kate

Postcard Italy 1980s Postcard

I can’t decide if I would want to travel with the sender of this postcard or not. It would certainly be an adventure, but my clothes would need a wash and my pockets might be empty at the end. Still, it is wonderful to read about the sender embracing the spirit of travel and enjoying viewing both the majestic landmarks and the beautiful people.

Enjoy. This postcard isn’t too terribly old, but fun to read nonetheless.

Italy 1980s Postcard

Postmark: Nov, 1980s? Pallanza (Italy)

100 Lire Poste Italiane stamp

To

  • Aarolyn & Paula Galbraith
  • 1600 S. Joyce St B-408
  • Arlington 2, Virginia U.S.A.

Image: Lago Maggiore, Isola Bella

Had an audience with Pope Paul – he gave you his best.

Aarolyn & Paula

We are driving the tires right off the red V-W but are really getting around. Roma was really the grandest city I’ve ever been in – Tivoli, Villa D’Este, Baths of Caracalla, “sound & light” etc. etc. Plus the Italian men!! Our craziest stunt was climbing to the top of Mt. Vesuvius in a strong wind & rain storm. Loved the Italian Rivera but hated the dirt & grabbiness of the south. Heading up to Switzerland & finally to Rotterdam by the 12th. Due to lack of funds doubt if we’ll go to Spain – plus my clothes are filthy.

LRL

Europe, Postcards

Missed our plane [c.1955, Rome]

Kate

Roma 1950s

Roma 1950s back

Sept 16, circa 1955

Postmark: “Attenzione!” (no postage)

Front text: Roma – Colosseo

To

  • Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Paputon
  • 352 East Fifth Ave
  • Lancaster, Ohio
  • U.S.A.

Hi

Missed our plane to [Czech?] had to stay in Copenhagen overnight. Had a wonderful time with the relations they were all so kind. Will tell you when we see you. Saw Vienna but since we missed [each?] plane to Vienna had only one day there. Now seeing Rome by sight seeing bus. Beautiful country so much to see.

Love, Pauline & Elroy

Notes: Date estimated based on the vintage busses on the front of postcard and other features.