Curated blog of quirky, interesting messages from real vintage and wartime postcards, including many sent by soldiers and sailors during World War II.
Thank you to everyone who has read, commented, or enjoyed any of the postcards I’ve shared here over the last year or so.
Due to other projects, I will be taking a hiatus from posting weekly. I may publish posts intermittently as time allows in the coming months.
Thanks for visiting! Now go send a holiday card to someone you don’t see everyday.
Joe E. Brown handing out mail to troops, Luzon, Philippines
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
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
Daily Mail: The Golden Age of Australian Airline Travel
Mildred seems to be thriving as a seminary student and happy to be sending an update to her parents back in Georgia.
It was written in spurts, with her mentioning that plans changed before it went in the mail. I especially love the writing on the front, something I have done on postcards myself and most of us do digitally now, doodling on pictures that we can send to friends and family in an instant.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY stands today, still educating those who are called to Christian ministry.
“The campus is really pretty now. Especially, as the leaves are beautiful.”
Fri. night —
Dearest Mother & Daddy,
It is colder here today & looks as though it may rain.
School today was full of duties, etc. Reports must go out next week, so I’ll really be busy doing that tonight, I know.
Sabin[?] is fine & and studying as well. There is no special news from here now. We’re both O.K. & hope you are.
Sat.– We’re going to another church to preach tomorrow – leaving this P.M. & will be back tomorrow P.M. – did not go after all.
Lots of love,
Mildred
Will write later.
To: Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Orren[?]
Postmark: Louisville, KY – October 22, 1946
Image: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky
I was excited to find Buddy’s postcards because of the longer story they reveal.
Buddy was born in 1918. His enlistment record indicates that he worked in the education field and had completed 3 years of college. (I don’t often try to look up the names on my postcards, but since I had so much information, in this case I gave it a shot.)
Enlisted: May 23, 1942 – Fort Oglethorpe, GA (age 23, unmarried at time of enlistment)
Source: National Archives Enlistment Record
| Date | Sent from | Current Unit/Base | Rank | Recipient Name | Recipient location |
| 26-Aug-42 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Army Air Base, Salt Lake | Pvt | Gladys Bell | Lobelville, Tn |
| 5-Apr-43 | St Louis, Missouri | 21st Sqd. Topeka, Ks | ? | Mrs. E Bell | Lobelville, Tn |
| 29-Aug-43 | Topeka, Kansas | 21st Sqd. Topeka, Ks | Sgt | Mrs. L. H. Marress | Lobelville, Tn |
| 13-Sep-43 | Topeka, Kansas | 21st Sqd. Topeka, Ks | ? | Mrs. L. H. Marress | Lobelville, Tn |
| 9-Apr-44 | Topeka, Kansas | 25th Adr’m Sq. (S) | Cpl. | Gladys Marress | Linden, Tn |
It seems that Miss Gladys Bell became Mrs. Marress during the summer of 1943.
Buddy Marress’s wife is buried in Perry County Tennessee: Marress, Gladys Bell, Apr. 1916-Dec. 9, 1989, “Wife of Loyd Marress”
Billy’s sarcasm towards Annemarie is what makes 1930s postcard charming, and I think I’m going to bring that phraseology back as an alternative to “great” time. I bet it really was nice in the Blue Ridge Mountains just South of Asheville, NC in July.
In my eyes, the main quality of a great postcard is leaving the reader wanting to know more! This one certainly poses so many more questions than it answers. I want to know what’s happening off stage!
Dear Annemarie-
Haven’t got enough to say to write a letter– hence the card. I’m visiting Chick now and having a big time. Guess I’ll go back to S.C. and cruise around before I come home. In the meantime try to bear up under the strain of my absence.
Billy
To:
Postmark: Hendersonville, N. C. – July 19, 1939
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.
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:
Postmark: Paris XIV Av du General Leclerc – Sept 30, 1950
Stamps: 5 franc & 10 franc
Though it did pass through the mail, there isn’t really a message written by the sender except a name. So, I picked this one for the artwork and the postmark. I love the vibrant graphic on the front of the card.
Aunt Maggie
To:
Postmark: Robesonia PA. Dec 22, 1930
“A Merry Christmas to your very good self from your very good friends.”
I have been looking for a invitation to that dance for a long time[.] it is coming off [.] Hurry up[.] I want to dance some -?- had
R.F.D.
Sept 16, circa 1955
Front text: Roma – Colosseo
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.
Dear Myrtle,
We certainly miss you down here. I think the boss does too only he won’t acknowledge it. Ha! Ha! Well I must tell you the good news. I am auntie again but this time it’s a little niece & I am so glad. Papa was up to Cleveland Sunday & he said it was as sweet as it can be & they are both doing nicely. I can hardly wait until I can go up there.
With love,
Elsie
Sample postcard.
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sentfromthepast/8452679844/sizes/l
Lost Greetings 