1950s – Lost Greetings

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Uncle Sam’s Scrubs [1952 – San Diego, CA]

November 20, 2017August 4, 2020 Kate

This postcard was sent during the Korean War by what I assume was a junior enlisted sailor. He gives us no details about his assignment other than what we can see from the the San Diego, CA postmark. Carl writes such an endearing note home to his parents in Tennessee. The handwritten names on the cartoon are my favorite part.

Dear Mother and Daddy

How are all of all there fine I hop. I went to church today. It not much to do here today so I thought I would write you a line. I will send you a picture this next weekend. by for now

Carl {?}

To: Mr. Mrs. J. T. Knight
308 Madison St. N
Nashville 8, Tenn

Postmark: San Diego, California – April 7, 1952

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Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

I got your clock. [1954 – U.S. Army Air Force, London]

August 24, 2017August 4, 2020 Kate

The postmark caught my eye on this one. Ray sent this card from a military post office, presumably RAF Lakenheath (APO 09179). It’s a military post mark, which reads: “U.S. Army Air Force Postal Service,” and apparently was still being used long after the separate “U.S. Air Force” was created in 1947. The U.S. Air Force, to this day, maintains a presence at RAF Lakenheath (http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/).

Hi Folks.

I got your clock shiped it about 3 weeks ago. You should get it sometime next month. It is insured in case anything is broken.

Ray.

To:
Mr. Wallace King
Route 2
Crofton, KY

Postmark: U.S. Army Air Force Postal Service 179 – 27 October 1954

Image: London, The Houses of Parliament

Medical, Postcards, United States

She has a rash. [1953 – Cheyenne, Wyoming]

August 10, 2017July 20, 2018 Kate

Poor Carolyn. I’m sure a bout of the measles couldn’t have been much fun. Somehow, she and Ruby managed to enjoy the capitol and Indian reservation. Next stop Colorado Springs.

Hello there. How is every body. Carolyn has been sick ever since we’ve been here but is a little better. She has a rash. [?] or measles. I think it is the shots Dr. [?] sad she had virus infection. We’ve seen the Indian Reservation. The capitol is pretty. we are going over to Col. Springs

See I made it O.K.

Ruby K.

To:

Mrs. Felix Tyson Family
East Morrison
Gallatin, Tennessee

Postmark: July 2, 1953 – Cheyenne, Wyoming

Comic Cards – Comic Postcard C-102 “I’ll bet you thought I couldn’t make it, officer!”

Continue reading “She has a rash. [1953 – Cheyenne, Wyoming]” →

Europe, Postcards

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

April 22, 2017September 6, 2017 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]

April 2, 2017September 6, 2017 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

Military Postcards, Postcards, United States

Without a Blueprint [1951, N. Dakota]

January 14, 2017August 4, 2020 Kate

Fargo ND 1951 Postcard

I love how the message on the comic side, “Just Married,” matches perfectly with the life events on the reverse. It seems that every possible milestone and location has been mentioned, from one coast to the other (Maine to California) and even the big sky country in between. This postcard is delightfully all over the place.

Fargo ND 1951 Postcard back

Hi Nick-

Had nearly forgotten about that $5. Little more delay then will fwd to you in Calif. Next straight to Conn(?)., got married, a ’47 Chev, then drove to Mont, now heading to Presque Isle, Me (23rd FE. Ny.) Next project is getting a new car, then freedom from the above!

Hope to see you & family, please ans. to Ny address after I write again.

Red Serginson (T/Sgt)

T/Sgt Walter Nikkel Jr.
A.F. 37710692
641 Morey Ave
Del Caso Htgs
Sacremento, Calif.

Postmark: Fargo, N. Dakota, Aug 12, 1951

“Can’t you architects do anything without a blueprint?”

Related Postcards:

Same Recipient: “Walter Nikkel” – Nice spot in the Azores [1953, Portugal]

Europe, Other Locations, Postcards

Making great progress [Israel, 1950]

December 31, 2016September 6, 2017 Kate

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, Military Postcards, Postcards

Nice spot in the Azores [1953, Portugal]

September 4, 2016March 11, 2020 Kate

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)

Europe, Postcards

Missed our plane [c.1955, Rome]

July 31, 2016September 6, 2017 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.