My new friend and fellow bibliophile Linsey found this great vintage postcard of Chicago’s Conrad Hilton Hotel (now just the Hilton Chicago and still going strong). According to the card, “(t)he hotel located on Michigan Boulevard in the heart of Chicago’s world famous convention center is one of the largest hotels in the world.” Sorry, Chicago — with only 1,544 rooms, this hotel isn’t even in the top 20 anymore; most of those are in Las Vegas. But Hilton can still claim two out of the top 20: the Las Vegas Hilton, and the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu. Imagine that: a hotel big enough to be considered a village.

This card was published by Dexter Press for Cameo Greeting Cards, Inc., 4011 No. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago.

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.

Kristin was kind enough to part with this amazing collage of large-letter postcards and other postcard images celebrating Route 66.  I don’t have nearly enough large-letter cards, and this is definitely the next best thing.

She also sent a couple of Star Wars postcards for the grandkids, in an envelope bearing a Darth Maul postage stamp; a great deal of time had to be expended in gently removing the stamp from the envelope and affixing it to Number Two Grandson’s card.

As for my card, it’s a good thing I don’t plan on sending it to anyone.  After all, where would I write my message?

This is an unused Curteich “C. T. Art-Colortone” card, number 1B-H723, manufactured in 1941 and coming to us from the collection of Kay Anthony.  The back of the card bears no description. I especially like the radio tower at the top of the building; it was probably the tallest construction in the city at the time.

Located at southeast corner of North Third and Walnut Streets in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the hotel had 14 stories and was constructed in 1918.  The original building on this site, the four-story YWCA, was built in 1914 and was demolished after only four years in favor of the hotel.

Sadly, the hotel itself was demolished in 1978 to make way for Strawberry Square, a million-square-foot office and shopping complex.

This linen postcard from the Asheville Post Card Company bears no description.  Judging from the art deco fonts on the back, it was probably made in the mid-1930s.   This particular card was among a stack of ten or so cards that were tucked into one of Kay Anthony’s albums; I had missed them but my wife noticed them a few days ago.  Unlike the cards I knew about, these haven’t had a chance to air out and smell a little bit musty, but in general the cards are in pristine condition and have very vibrant colors.  This card seems to be the exception; there’s some color fading as if portions of it had gotten damp at some point.

According to the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, “the Monticello Hotel opened in 1926, and in 1927 boasted of having the ‘largest searchlight in the world’ on its roof, which was claimed to be visible three hundred miles away. The light scanned the heavens over Charlottesville, and was often pointed at distant Monticello at night. Famous guests at the Monticello Hotel included Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, band leaders Tommy Dorsey and Guy Lombardo, writer Gertrude Stein, and movie stars Robert Taylor, Sterling Hayden, and Joan Blondell. The dining room of the Monticello Hotel was locally renowned until it closed in 1989 and was converted into office space. Today the hotel houses condominium apartments.”  I’m glad the building is still there.

“The magnificent and palatial Sun Valley Lodge is located in the heart of Sawtooth Mountains, south of Galena Pass and near Ketchum, Idaho. The view shown is looking east up Trail Creek Pass. Skiing, skating, tobogganing and dog-sledging (sic) are typical activities attracting international sportsmen. Cost $1,500,000.” I hope they’re referring to the cost of building the Lodge rather than going on a ski vacation.

This Curt Teich card (number 7A-H3945, published in 1937) features a photograph by Wesley Andrews, and was in fact distributed by the Wesley Andrews Company of Portland, Oregon. Andrews started out making real photo postcards early in his career, then apparently outsourced production to the Teich Company later. A beautiful card despite some minor damage in one corner.

This Curt Teich linen postcard, number 5B-H530, was manufactured in 1945 and distributed by Benjamin’s Photo Art Service of Mackinac Island. It wasn’t postally used until August 7, 1958 (according to the postmark), sent from Traverse City, Michigan to Mr. & Mrs. P. G. Gussman of Lewstown, Pennsylvania. “Laura Ann” writes: “Dear Grandma & Grandpa: Having a nice time. On the boat coming to Mackinac Island this Grand Hotel is very beautiful. The view is beautiful on the Island. Especially at Fort Mackinac. Made a sack or chemise I don’t know which for Ginger.” Talk about a non-sequitur.

Many people will recognize the hotel from the film Somewhere in Time starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It was based on the book Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson. The action in the book takes place at a completely different hotel, which I will write about another day.

This “Plastichrome” by Colourpicture Publishers, Inc. was actually made in Canada, unlike most of the Canadian cards posted thus far.

“Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada. This popular area is equipped with kitchen shelters, playground, supervised swimming and dressing cubicles, fireplaces, picnic tables, running water, electricity and toilet facilities.”

If you don’t mind, I think I’ll just say home; I already have all that stuff, plus my dressing cubicle at home is unsupervised.

The Gulf Beach Hotel, “on beautiful Lido Beach, Sarasota, Florida.” With all that wonderful scenery, let’s take a picture instead of the inside of the motor court and our dark, industrial walkway — it’s worth it just to get a snap of that kid’s Hawaiian shirt. “Modern, luxurious Air-Conditioned Motor Court on the Gulf of Mexico, offering wide choice of accommodations for a glorious Florida vacation — 100,000 square feet of breath-taking lawn and beachfront playground with private swimming area, roomside parking and maid service. 50 units, each with private tile bath. 22 kitchenette apts. Air-Conditioned Lounge. Continental breakfast included. Recommended by AAA and Quality Courts United.”

“Florence” sent this back home to Mrs. W.W. Twitchell in Massachusetts, on behalf of herself and Lucy, on March 12, 1954: “Hi. I have been looking for a little sun & no one. I think we will start home April 5 if it is good weather up there.” And if it isn’t, well, we’ll consider coming home after the first hurricane comes through. Were Florence and Lucy sisters with a trust fund? A mother and daughter living off alimony from a faithless husband, or perhaps a widow’s pension from a husband who fought and died in Korea (thus, “looking for no one”)? It would be interesting to know.

“Camptown: Luxurious Campground. Heated swimming pool, whirlpool and sauna, fishing, tennis, archery, pitch and putt golf course, minutes from Disney World and other major attractions!” Hell, why bother with Disney World when you have all these amenities?

Joan and Dick apparently sent this to their friend back home in New York, in February 1987. “Hi. We’ve been in Fla. a month. Weather hasn’t been great but no Snow (thanks for that clarification; we were all wondering — Ed.). We plan on 2 more weeks in Florida then on to Texas and West. We expect to get home in June. Then down to the shore.” Does the fun ever stop?

An interesting feature of this card is that the image on the front is off-center. Prior to 1907, when it was illegal to write anything but the destination address on the back of the card, publishers often left white space on the front to allow a message to be written. But this card was posted in 1955, and was probably published around the same time.

The really interesting feature, however, is the message. Our suitor, Donald, writes to one “Mademoiselle” Gail Bautam of Bloomingdale, New Jersey: “My deerest one: Say, you, my aunt Esther tole me youse have annodder feller, you fickle but booful girl. Now, I’m jest about thru wit youse, but i still love youse. Avec mon amour, Donald.” Doubtless they married and had silly children.

Here’s a card from my grandfather’s sister, Helen Henderson, mailed September 1, 1981. She writes: “Stayed here 2 nights. Was in D.C. park & saw Pandas. (Pandas? In the park? — Ed.) Thanks again for what you did for me.” I have no idea what that might have been, although if I remember correctly, her son Johnny died around 1980, too young, from a heart attack; maybe my grandparents helped her with expenses.

Alas, the Mt. Vee Motel is no more; the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation paved the way (so to speak) for it to be demolished around 1998-99. In its place, an outfit called Ryan Homes squeezed 150 townhomes, 38 single family homes, and an assisted care facility onto the former motel site. No urban sprawl here!

On a side note, while checking up on whether or not the motel was still standing, I found some yutz who wants $10 for an unused, somewhat edgeworn copy of this postcard. Realistically, it might be worth a buck to somebody. Oh, and another $2 to ship it to you. I’m in the wrong business.

Just for fun, here’s Aunt Helen (far right) with my grandparents during a visit to Helen and her family in 1955. Johnny and my grandfather are clowning, as usual. The little girl on the left is my mother.

The first Motel 6 opened off the Santa Barbara beach in 1962 (and is still in operation today). This is Motel 6 #2, also still in operation, and also in Santa Barbara, but uptown. It looks better today that it does in this photo, perhaps due to the white paint job, but I can’t help but notice that they still have the same teal-colored doors on the rooms.

I’m guessing this photo was taken during the late 60′s or early 70′s; that looks to me like a 1968 Pontiac LeMans in the lower right corner. (Please, correct me if I am wrong.)

I have no recollection of where this unused postcard came from; I have never been to California, and while my wife has been there a few times (the first at least 10 years after this card was published), this motel doesn’t fit her recollections either.

According to this card, “The King Cole Hotel, resplendent in its setting of six acres of palm grove grandeur, has the relaxing atmosphere of an exclusive country club, still it is right in the heart of Miami Beach.” Here’s the kicker: in red capital letters under this description is the added notation, “Now Miami Heart Institute.” Makes sense to me. Why lie in a hospital bed in Cedars-Sinai after that heart attack, when you can go the fancy-schmancy hospital in Miami?

Even better is the message on the card. This was sent off to The Price is Right in 1957 as a viewer entry to a Travel Showcase contest.

As I recall, I got this card among a medium-sized lot of cards in a junk shop in Florida. How did the card get back to Florida? Did Bob Barker send his minions to inform Mrs. Sherman that she won the prize? If not, how did the card get into the marketplace? Are Regis and Kelly making a quick buck selling the cards that my wife sends in to them?

“…Located in the health-giving southeast coast… Situated along the Boulevard to the Beach in a beautiful three acre Park of Tropical Palms, Shrubbery, Flowers and Fruits… Surf Bathing… Boating… Fishing… Golfing… Shuffle-Board and other Sports for your entertainment and happiness… All outside rooms with private bath or shower… Rates $2.50 up.” Oh, and it was also AAA approved.

This “Genuine Curteich Chicago ‘C.T. Photo-Colorit’ Post Card” is in pristine condition. The production number of 8A-H2121 indicates that it was manufactured in 1938, and the stampbox asks you to “place one cent stamp here.” I spotted this card on eBay in early 2003, and bought it because it’s such a beautiful card, and because the subject was within driving distance of my home at the time. I paid $1.50.

Here’s the Dania Beach Hotel today, still in operation (so far as I know), looking a little worse for wear, and doubtless charging more than $2.50 for a room:

A Continental-sized (about 4″ x 6″) card picked up after having taken the train to Vermont, where my Florida-raised younger daughter first saw snow at the age of 16. It was published by Woodchuck Cards, RD 1 Box 4915, Montpelier.

Twenty-six units (unités), air conditioned (climatisé), licensed TV (licencié), and a dining room (salle à manger), it’s no wonder that my grandparents couldn’t resist staying here. Judging from the notes on the back, Grandma picked up this deckled card at the motel and used it to calculate mileage on their trip (presumably) to the Montreal Expo, year undetermined. (I remember seeing some ancient souvenirs as a child, so it must be so.)

It looks like she was backtracking, as the stop at the motel was last on her list. There are a number of confusing things about her entries:

• For August 7, she writes “M.H. to Longueuil (Quebec), 330″, which is just outside of Montreal. As far as I can tell, there’s nothing that’s 330 miles away that would have been of interest. At first I thought she might have meant “my house”, but her house in South Jersey was about 450 miles away — and it doesn’t make sense that my grandfather would drive 120 miles and then stop for the day. They might have stopped to visit some of his relatives in North Jersey, but they would still have been more than 330 miles from Longueuil — and I can’t think of anyone whose initials were M.H., nor do I see any towns on the map that might fit.
• On August 8, they were at the Expo.
• For August 9, she writes, “To Quebec, 174″. Odd, considering that they were already in Quebec. Perhaps sightseeing?
• At last, they arrive in Drummondville on the 10th, some 159 miles later. Not sure what was worth seeing here.

Unfortunately, it’s a mystery without a solution, as neither of them are around to ask.