landmark – Lost Greetings

Postcards like this one always prompt me to reflect on how places change over decades. The building pictured is the Art Institute of Chicago, constructed in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exhibition. The card was postmarked Bensenville, Illinois, which is located near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

This antique photograph postcard reflects an earlier era before the divided back postcard format. The message had to be squeezed on the front and the reverse reserved for the address only.

The place and time where Marie wrote and sent this card seems as distant from our present as our nearest celestial neighbors are from Earth itself. The Chicago of today would be unrecognizable to a 1910 resident, save for monumental landmarks such as this one.

“Come for me to night as I cannot walk home very well. Even if it is late. I must sew late any way. Marie”

To: Miss Eleanor Ehlers, Bensenville, Illinois

Postmark: Bensonville, Illinois – July 1, 1910

Image: Real photograph “Art Institute of Chicago”

Continue reading “Cannot walk home [1910 – Bensenville/Chicago, Illinois]” →

Other Locations, Postcards

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

August 3, 2017September 4, 2017 lostgreetings

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.

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.

Image source: Flickr Commons https://flic.kr/p/7ZCzr7

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

July 22, 2017August 4, 2020 lostgreetings

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.

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

Europe, Postcards

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

April 22, 2017September 6, 2017 lostgreetings

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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Europe, Postcards

Rain [Switzerland, 1966]

January 21, 2017September 6, 2017 lostgreetings

switzerland-1966-p

Intriguing because of its brevity, this postcard was presumably sent to make the recipient aware that the sender made it to Switzerland. The Liebensbergers clearly knew about this trip ahead of time, but they don’t know much more after reading this note.

switzerland-1966-m

Rain the first day.

Gw.
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Leibensperger
201 9^th St.
Shoemakersville, PA. 19555
U.S.A.

Postmark: Luzern, Switzerland – November 11, 1966

Image: Luzern, Kapellbrücke mit Pilatus (Luzerner Tracht) [Luzern, Chapel bridge with traditional dress]

Europe, Other Locations, Postcards

Steel Holiday [Istanbul, 1977]

December 25, 2016September 4, 2017 lostgreetings

I once spent Christmas (when my husband was deployed) speaking German with a Greek friend, at her grandparents’ Gasthaus in Bavaria — not a blood relative of mine within several time zones. This postcard is from a sender who is also far from home at that time of year when most of us are trying to get “home.”

Spending the holidays away from home is always an interesting prospect. In this case, the sender is also undertaking a business endeavor — building a steel mill in Turkey. I do wonder if they completed the project within the two years they mention in the postcard.

If you too ever have the chance to spend the holidays in a more adventurous location, I recommend giving it a try.

istanbul-1977

istanbul-1977-2

12/11/77

Greetings from Istanbul, Turkey. Rausu[?] Engineers and I are trying to build a steel mill, hopefully before spring 1979.

Seems like a long way from Dearborn, Chicago and friends which makes holiday season a little more meaningful –

Ginny[?] & Joe Faloon

Kucuk Bebek Lad[?]

Bebek Istanbul Turkey

To:

Mr. & Mrs. James A Merry
10316 West Charter Mall Rd.
Thiensville Wisconsin 53092
U.S.A.

Image: Istanbul – The mosque of Soliman the Magnificent and the Golden Horn

Postmark: illegible, Turkish postage

Europe, Postcards

Missed our plane [c.1955, Rome]

July 31, 2016September 6, 2017 lostgreetings

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.

Tag: landmark

Cannot walk home [1910 – Bensenville/Chicago, Illinois]

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

Postcard Context

Further Reading:

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

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

Rain [Switzerland, 1966]

Steel Holiday [Istanbul, 1977]

Missed our plane [c.1955, Rome]

Postmark: “Attenzione!” (no postage)

To