One of a series of vintage pinup postcards in this modern re-publication by the late PinUpCards.com. Based on my own experience with women of Scottish descent, this girl looks fairly authentic. Posted today in honor of St. Andrew’s Day.
Verdun. - La Cathédrale et l'Évêché.
I don’t know that we would refer to this as the Bishop’s Palace today; I believe that the correct term is the bishopric. Both buildings obviously bear the scars of German artillery taken by the town during the Battle of Verdun, which lasted almost the entire year of 1916.
Of course, anyone who has taken French lessons will probably recall Verdun as the home of the neighbor of le gentil garçon qui prononce bien.
In addition to the usual notices one would find on the back of a postcard in any language (that is, Post Card, This Side Reserved for the Address, This Side Reserved for Message), this one also says that Aucune inscription n’est admise du côte de la Vue — basically, you’re not allowed to write on the side with the picture. Through most of the first ten years of the 20th century, one was only allowed to write one’s message on the side with the picture, and ten years later the French won’t let us write on that side at all. Make up your minds!
You can find more French postcards (and others) at Cpaphil Vintage Postcards, whose webmaster (webmaîtresse?), Marie, was kind enough to send me a comment recently.
Greetings from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
This Curt Teich card (number 0B-H2338, produced in 1940) still has gorgeous colors. It came to me from the collection of Kay Anthony.
According to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website, “World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.” Remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture? Paddle faster, I hear banjos!
Thanksgiving Wishes for Great-Grandpa
Here’s an embossed postcard from Great-Grandpa Phil’s collection. The front of the card has a notice reading “Design Copyright 1908, by M.W. Taggart, N.Y.” Note how this design incorporates a farm that apparently sits directly on a beach, complete with seagulls.
The card was mailed to Phil from Dunbar, Pennsylvania on November 22, 1910 (Thanksgiving would have fallen on the 24th that year) and is signed “OWS”. While I’m pretty certain that we had relatives there at the time, and while the “S” suggests another Smith, I am at a loss to recall who OWS might have been.
Thanksgiving Greetings from "OWS"
Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“Glowing radiantly in the twilight sky, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur is a shining symbol of Malaysia’s national capitol.” I received this card in yesterday’s mail from Lay Hoon, who has her own very nice Travel Postcard blog.
On her own blog, she wrote about this card and these towers, which are also known as KLCC: “…(L)ocated in the heart of the capital city, the crown of the Kuala Lumpur contains a complex of office buildings, conference halls, a sprawling park and an upmarket shopping complex.” They sound similar to some Twin Towers of my own previous acquaintance; I will be sending a card of our own towers to Lay in tomorrow’s post. Her card took 19 days to reach me; I imagine that the return trip will be about as long.
To me, she writes: “I find that your website is like a treasure hunt for me. It seems lots of valuable treasure inside.” High praise from a fellow collector; thank you. And thanks for my first card from Malaysia!
Like a treasure hunt.
Want to see your postcard on this site? Send me one!
