Wild Postcards

Here are a couple of postcards from the 1960s, extolling the virtues of stopping by Frankenmuth, Michigan, for dinner. First, Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn: “In Frankenmuth, where the population is only 1700, 600,000 special dinners are served annually. Here the gemuetlichkeit of Old Bavaria blends with the hospitality of New America. World famous for Frankenmuth family style chicken and other dinners.”

New America? Well, I guess it was a little newer when this postcard was produced. But the Bavarian Inn folks make you the fine print on the back of this postcard to hear about delicious chicken. Zehnder’s, on the other hand, gets straight to the point:

Call me what you want, just don’t call me late for chicken dinners. And a Happy Birthday to my friend Nicole, who is quite the Frankenmuth fan.

Here are a couple of postcards from the 1960s, extolling the virtues of stopping by Frankenmuth, Michigan, for dinner.

“Wind surfing on the Great Lakes is an ever increasingly popular sport enjoyed by young and old.” I don’t imagine that there’s too many days left this year for this activity, at least not on the Great Lakes; that water gets cold. This 1970s-era Plastichrome postcard arrived in my mailbox a few days ago; it’s 3.5″ x 5.5″, rather than the usual 4 x 6 inch cards that are popular today.

“Wind surfing on the Great Lakes is an ever increasingly popular sport enjoyed by young and old.” I don’t imagine that there’s too many days left this year for this activity, at least not on the Great Lakes; that water gets cold. This 1970s-era Plastichrome postcard arrived in my mailbox a few days ago; it’s [...]

Is it just me, or does it seem odd for a postcard series entitled “Colors of Michigan” to feature a black and white photo?  On the reverse side, the photo description contains the photographer’s explanation: “Every once in a while a photo just looks right as a black and white.”  Since there’s nothing really all that exceptional about this black and white photo, I’m going to translate this explanation as “the light was terrible and the colors were way off, but I like the view so maybe I can still salvage this.”

If you’re interested in learning about the Point Betsie Lighthouse, built in 1858 on the shore of Lake Michigan, pay a visit to The Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse.

Is it just me, or does it seem odd for a postcard series entitled “Colors of Michigan” to feature a black and white photo?  On the reverse side, the photo description contains the photographer’s explanation: “Every once in a while a photo just looks right as a black and white.”  Since there’s nothing really all [...]

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 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: [...]