Wild Postcards

Ana recently found a cache of reprints of antique postcards, and I’m very happy to be one of the recipients. This view shows Skopje as it was at the turn of the 20th Century; at this time it was part of the Ottoman Empire.  But this city view might just as easily be turn of the century Chicago or New Orleans or Dallas.  Of course, it looks nothing like modern Skopje.

Ana recently found a cache of antique postcard reprints, which means mail for me!

Nondas sent me this interesting reproduction of a post-war (that is, World War I) card, showing the town of Thessaloniki from the air. He’s also fond of these other, modern views of his town from the air.

A reproduction of a World War I-era card, with a bird’s-eye view of Thessaloniki, Greece.

This very clear view of Westminster Abbey (with Big Ben in the background) comes from Aimee Dars, a prolific swapper extraordinaire. This card was sold in England but produced by a company in Barcelona. Next to the stamp box, it has the phrase “the friendship post card” in ten languages.

A clear view of Westminster, with Big Ben in the background. Sent in by one extremely prolific postcard swapstress.

Shirin sends along these vintage views of Singapore and reminds me that the Hotel Raffles, pictured at the top, is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling — meaning folks were sippin’ on gin and juice long before Snoop Dogg had something to say about it.

Also pictured are a Chinese junk, a snake charmer, and the Golden Sultan mosque. All of these things can still be seen in Singapore today — even a snake charmer, if you look hard enough.

  Shirin sends along these vintage views of Singapore and reminds me that the Hotel Raffles, pictured at the top, is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling — meaning folks were sippin’ on gin and juice long before Snoop Dogg had something to say about it. Also pictured are a Chinese junk, a snake charmer, [...]