Tag: sent postcard

Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

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

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1954 U.S. Army Air Force Postcard - London Image lg

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/).

1954 U.S. Army Air Force Postcard - London message lg

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

Other Locations, Postcards

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

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1971 Travel Postcard Image - Sydney, Australia lg

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.

1971 Travel Postcard Message - Sydney, Australia lg

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.

Boeing : 747Image source: Flickr Commons https://flic.kr/p/7ZCzr7

Further Reading:

Daily Mail: The Golden Age of Australian Airline Travel

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Europe, Postcards

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

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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Postcards, United States

Dead or Alive. [1910 – Vermont]

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1910 Vermont Image lg

Wow, Gladys seems pushy.

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

1910 Vermont message lg

“Greetings Most True”

Jonny are you dead or alive. Why don’t you answer my letter. I wont probably get it unless you put it care of A. J. Macie. hope you will write a good long letter.

From Gladys

Postmark: North Sheldon, VT. April 18 1910

To:

  • Mr. Jonny Cabarra
  • Windsor, VT [?]

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Europe, Postcards

Rain [Switzerland, 1966]

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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 9th 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]

Postcards, United States

Happy Christmas [Pennsylvania, 1930]

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pennsylvania-xmas-1930-p

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.

pennsylviania-xmas-1930-m

Aunt Maggie

To:

  • Miss Peggy White
  • 142 Washington St
  • Shilligton, Pa.

Postmark: Robesonia PA. Dec 22, 1930

Postcards, United States

Rabbits [Indiana, 1909]

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Indiana 1909Indiana 1909 back

This postcard from Horace has pretty good penmanship and I find the spelling errors charming. I am curious what was going on with those rabbits, though.

-23 -09

Dear Karl – I am going to school and Rabbits are very [sharp?]. Mr. Jackson is common down for for Xmas. I hope you all hapy Xmas. And a hapy new yr.

Respectfully yours. Horace F. Budd.

To:

  • Mr Karl Reiman
  • 2635 Northwestern Ave
  • Indianapolis, Indiana

Postmark: December 24, 1909 – Morristown, Ind.

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Europe, Military Postcards, Postcards

Nice spot in the Azores [1953, Portugal]

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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]

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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]

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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.