Wild Postcards

“View of harpooner ironing a Sperm Whale. From The Capture a lithograph made in 1862 by Endicott & R. S. Gifford, corrected by Benjamin Russell.” What sort of corrections could have been required? Did the Giffords read Moby Dick and think all whales were white? Did they draw Captain Ahab’s leg in there somewhere?

This Plastichrome postcard, probably produced in the late 1970s or early ’80s, describes itself as “Classic Whaling Series #1″. I can’t help but wonder if there was ever a second card in the series. What’s neat about this postcard is that it came to me just the other day from a Postcrosser, who found it in an old bookstore.

Another tidbit from the card says that it was produced from the lithograph owned by The Book and Tackle Shop, and was in fact distributed by them as well. The Book and Tackle Shop was established in 1953, and still conducts business from Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

“View of harpooner ironing a Sperm Whale. From The Capture a lithograph made in 1862 by Endicott & R. S. Gifford, corrected by Benjamin Russell.” What sort of corrections could have been required? Did the Giffords read Moby Dick and think all whales were white? Did they draw Captain Ahab’s leg in there somewhere? This [...]

I know it will surprise many of my Southern friends to learn that the nation’s oldest Baptist church was built by Yankees. The First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island was founded as an organization by Roger Williams in 1638; this meeting hall was built in 1775 and today still looks much like the image above. Quahog.org has some detailed images as well as the history of the church, along with information for visitors.

I know it will surprise many of my Southern friends to learn that the nation’s oldest Baptist church was built by Yankees. The First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island was founded as an organization by Roger Williams in 1638; this meeting hall was built in 1775 and today still looks much like the image [...]