Curated blog of quirky, interesting messages from real vintage and wartime postcards, including many sent by soldiers and sailors during World War II.
This one comes from a period of great upheaval in Cuba, but the sugar cane still needed to be harvested.
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:
Postmark: Miami, Fla. – Jan 21, 1956 – Fight infant paralysis Join March of Dimes
Front image: Cutting sugar cane. Habana. Corte de Caña
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.
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:
Postmark: Washington, D.C. – Nov 5, 1961
Stamp: $.07 US Air Mail
Image: American Airlines 707
It seems that the “National –insert cause here– Week” concept has been around for much longer than I thought.
At its introduction, one had to pay a premium for air mail service (24 cents) compared to regular first-class mail (3 cents). With the serious occupational hazards the first air mail pilots endured, I think the price was justified.
According to Edward A. Keogh, 1927, the earliest Air Mail service in the United States carried many more postcards than other type of mail, by a landslide, though the dates over which this tally was amassed is unclear.
| Postcards | 32,415 | 87% |
| Letters | 3,993 | 11% |
| Circulars | 1,062 | 3% |
| Total | 37470 |
Though postcards are becoming rarer, we are now more dependent on air transport of mail than ever. How could we get our online purchases “over-nighted” without our packages continuing to take to the sky?
Side note: Philately is far too competitive for my taste, but I recently learned more about the famous “Inverted Jenny” stamp, the holy grail of stamp collectors valued at about $1 million. The stamp came about because of the rush to produce the 24 cent air mail postage. I much prefer the humanity that is revealed on vintage send postcards, but it’s also a hobby that’s much easier on the wallet than stamp collecting.
For some reason I picture Anne as being very stylish. She definitely seems to be fond of hotel hopping.
Jan. 15, 1932
Hello John!
Just moved over to this hotel. It’s better looking. We have been having snow & plenty.
Toodle-lo
Anne
Postmark: Olympia, Washington – January 16, 1932
Image: Hotel Olympian, Olympia Washington – Western Hotels Inc.
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.
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)
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]
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.
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:
Postmark: Ferrovia, Roma 1950
Stamps: Italian 20 lire & 50 lire
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.
Hello There,
Well, I’m still here & haven’t seen my boss yet. Will write to-morrow.
Love – Anne
Front: New Governor Hotel, Olympia Wash.
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.
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
Lost Greetings 