Curated blog of quirky, interesting messages from real vintage and wartime postcards, including many sent by soldiers and sailors during World War II.
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
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.
Postmark: Missing (Azores, Portugal)
Handwritten Date: April 18, 1953
Stamp: Portugal
To:
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?]
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)
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
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.
Lost Greetings 