No, you cannot touch my zither

…at least, I’m pretty sure it’s a kantele, which falls into the category of zithers, or lap-harps.  It’s related (according to Wikipedia) to the Russian gusli, the Latvian kokle and the Lithuanian kanklės; these instruments, along with the kantele, fall into the more narrow category of zithers known as psalteries.  I play (poorly) a much less sophisticated cousin of these instruments, called the mountain dulcimer or Appalachian dulcimer.  But there are varieties of kantele which have as few as five strings that might be within my ken.

The Finnish epic poem Kalevala holds that the mage Väinämöinen crafted the first kantele from the jawbone of a giant pike onto which his boat had run “aground”, as it were; he used hairs from a stallion’s mane for the strings.  The first kantele was lost in the sea after further misadventures, but Väinämöinen carved a new one from birchwood.

The Kalevala is a fascinating read, though I don’t anticipate tackling it in the original Finnish anytime soon.  Another fun read is The Wall of Serpents, part of the Compleat Enchanter comical fantasy series by L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt.  In Serpents, a small party from our universe (along with Belphoebe, the huntress from Spenser’s The Faerie Queen) travel into the universe of the Kalevala and interact with all the major characters.  I recommend it highly.

My thanks, of course, to Kirsi for sending me this terrific postcard.  The kantele is renowned for its bell-like tones; please enjoy this sample.

Venus on the half-shell

What did we ever do without Photoshop?  This postcard from the Netherlands features photographic art — an homage to Boticelli’s The Birth of Venus — by Peter Gramberg, but is actually an advertising postcard for the weekly magazine HP / De Tijd.  Unlike many postcard collectors, I don’t generally mind advertising postcards (especially with themes like this one).  After all, the ad cards of today are the vintage ad cards of tomorrow.  Hey, in fifty years you might get ten bucks for this on eBay!

Here is the part where I was going to write about what was the De Tijd (“Time”) Catholic daily newspaper, how their readership declined following the end of pillarization in the Netherlands, how they merged with another pillarized publication and became a weekly magazine — but it’s late and I’m tired.  You will have to illuminate yourself today.

"Fairy Secrets" by Margaret W. Tarrant

Margaret W. Tarrant (1888-1959) was an English illustrator whose career spanned fifty years, and who seemed to be in constant demand.  Over the years, she illustrated some very nice editions of what are now classic children’s books: everything from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to All Things Bright and Beautiful.  Many of the editions illustrated by her sell for hundreds of dollars today.

The one postcard in my collection featuring her work is her illustration “Fairy Secrets”, published around 2008 by the Medici Society of Great Britain.  Contrary to their name, the Medici Society is a for-profit publisher of cards and stationery.  Founded in 1908, the company was originally run as a membership organization, with the goal of bringing artwork to the masses at the lowest possible cost.

Apparently they’ve been recycling a lot of their artwork; I was able to find a 1937 version of the “Fairy Secrets” postcard from the same publisher (and which was part of something they called the “Fairy Hours” Series, according to the postcard back).  Interestingly, on both cards, I can’t help but notice that the image is not square on the card, but is slightly askew.  Perhaps they’re still using the same printing press.

(The 1937 postcard images are courtesy of Antosch & Lin, dealers in vintage postcards and stamps.)

I didn't think people could bend like that

The fish seem wide-eyed and surprised at this young lady’s sudden appearance. “An underwater scene in the crystal depths of world-famous Silver Springs. Here the water is so clear that one can see easily to the bottom bowl and underwater pictures can be made successfully. More than 43 varieties of fish, turtles and shell fish may be seen through glass-bottom boats in this underwater fairyland of nature.”

This is a Colourpicture Publication, distributed by the Asheville Post Card Company. It was apparently manufactured shortly after the very first postcard postage rate increase (with the words “one cent” unceremoniously removed from the stampbox); that was on 1 January 1952.

Update: Thanks to Postcardy for reminding me that this month’s Postcard Scavenger Hunt is fish!  Check out other fish postcards posted by her and by others — sometimes touristy, sometimes funny, always interesting.

Hiya, sweetie

“Missouri Watermelons: The delta-area of southeast Missouri is noted for its production of watermelons. One of the area’s main crops.”  Sentence fragment FTL from the description on the back of the card.

I love this card because the photo is timeless; it might have been taken yesterday or 50 years ago.  I was able to discover (pretty easily, this being a John Hinde Curteich card with a serial number) that this card was produced in 1972 which, if the photo is contemporaneous, would mean that this young lady is in her early 40’s.  Maybe she’ll stop by and tell us her identity!

Tiered Evening Gown / Photo by Norman Parkinson

Kelly sent me this beautiful postcard of a photo by Norman Parkinson (1913-1990), a fashion and portrait photographer.  He opened his portrait studio in 1934 in London and was fortunate enough (and talented enough) to have clients such as Noel Coward and Vivien Leigh; his work was noticed.  He produced editorial photos for Harper’s Bazaar in the 1940’s, and did much fashion photography for the pages of Vogue throughout the 1950’s, then switched back to portraiture almost exclusively, capturing images of the rich and famous.

Even this fashion photo is more like a portrait. When I look at this photo, I see not the dress, but the model’s expression; I see the person.  This is not something you see in a catalog.  This is art.  Being an amateur portrait photographer myself, I’d give what’s left of my eyeteeth to be this good.

Be sure to check out the other blogs celebrating Postcard Friendship Friday.

Hallo, mein Mädchen

For Postcard Friendship Friday, a postcard that should have gone to the mailbox of a friend or suitor, instead of to this collector.

This was certainly a surprise in my mailbox: a real photo postcard (RPPC) received through Postcrossing from Richard, who took great care in sending it to ensure that it arrived safely.  Although he did not enclose a note, I am very appreciative of his efforts.

The stampbox indicates that this card was manufactured in Germany, probably around 1912.  It’s very well produced and well-preserved; it’s a card that I might have chosen for myself.

Be sure to check out the other blogs celebrating Postcard Friendship Friday.

About to be whisked away

According to the back of this Postcrossing card from Taru, “the bath whisk of birch twigs must be soft and warm.”  See, honey?  This postcard is educational!  Actually, the missus had a few comments on this young lady’s physique, but she has nothing to worry about.

The description is also published in Finnish — “Saunavihdan haudutus” — which, as I recall, is the spell that Harry and Ron tried to use in Book 5 to lure Hermione into the steam room at Hogwarts.

Hell's Angels

This vintage image of two girls in traditional Zeeland dress, inexplicably on motorcycles, is a modern reproduction by Art Unlimited and arrived today from Jet, taking only eight days from the city of Zwolle in the Netherlands.

The province of Zeeland is a collection of islands that were apparently difficult to reach until the early 20th century; I’m sure the photographer found humorous this juxtaposition of old and (what was then) new.

Sock it to me

This is an advertising postcard for Polzela Nogavice (Slovenian for “socks”, according to Google) of Polzela, Slovenia, sent to me a couple of months ago by Žiga, whom I met in the Postcrossing forums.  Judging from this card and from their website, socks and stockings seem to be synonymous; perhaps the better translation for nogavice is “hosiery”.  If you need some, it looks like Polzela can accommodate you, even if you have legs up to here.

The stamps apparently show an extremely rare species of chickweed.  I’m thinking of exporting some of the more common chickweeds to Slovenia from my front lawn.

"I'm on my way home from a strip poker party"

This is not a postcard, but rather an arcade card, which were sold in vending machines at places like fairgrounds and carnivals.  Often they were the prize in some mechanized test of strength or skill.  The cards are about as heavy as pasteboard, and are blank on the back.

Arcade cards from later eras featured everything from pin-up girls to movie stars to stills from TV episodes.  Earlier cards from the 1920s and 1930s, however, generally featured comic (and usually slightly risque) sayings and drawings.

"Tanpopo" by Ai Yamaguchi

YingHui sent me a Japanese card of this work by Ai Yamaguchi, a young artist of excellent reputation.  Her work combines classic Japanese art with pop culture themes.  The original works are acrylic on Japanese paper, and each of the original paintings measures 4¾ x 4¾ inches (about 12 x 12 centimeters).

"...a tad larger than raisins."

“Gold panning is a livelihood for many Alaskans. It’s not uncommon to pan for nuggets the size of raisins.” This card arrived today from Kris, who hosts a blog describing his own postcard collection which, like mine, spans several generations over more than a century.  The card is oversized (about 5″ x 7″, suitable for framing), but arrived relatively unscathed nonetheless.

Kris also included a few interesting comments regarding the image, but one must bear in mind that, living in Alaska, Kris has never actually seen a woman up close before. Published by Off-The-Wall, Inc. Photo credit: Calvin Hall.

Somebody stacked the deck.

Here’s a card from Rie, who writes: “This card shows you (an) illustration by Kaori Wakamatsu, Japanese creator. I like her painting.”  So do I, Rie.  So do I.

I'm surprised the USPS knew enough to turn it sideways.

Ooh, your helmet is so big

I received this vintage ’60s card today from Sean, who sent it to me after he found out I was looking for work (and, if you’re reading this, feel free to hire me) as a “feel-better” card.  In truth, it does make me feel kinda tingly.  Neither of us could find much online about her except for a few vintage postcards and calendars for sale, all of which appear to feature photos from the same shoot.  My guess is that she was an up-and-coming actress posing for publicity photos, and that she turned out to be not-so-up-and-coming.

Sean writes: “I found her at a great postcard shop here in Madrid that has tens of thousands of vintage cards plus lots of other collectables. I’ll be blogging about it… when I find the time. Which reminds me, you need to blog more often!”  Well, now that I’m only spending 40 hours a week looking for a job instead of 50-60 hours a week doing one, I’m back in the blogging habit.  Not only is it fun, but it keeps my collection organized!

A Testimonial of Approbation (Front and Back)

Here’s a card that Great-Grandpa Phil received 101 years ago from his teacher, Florence M. Fortney, who praises his “punctual attendance, correct deportment, and diligent attention to studies.” This card is much thinner than a postcard, but thicker than paper; I estimate that it’s about half as thick as typical photo paper of today.

As a blogger, you too can have correct deportment: sign up for Postcard Friendship Friday, a brilliant idea from the brilliant Marie (whom henceforth I shall refer to as “my girl Friday”) over at Cpaphil Vintage Postcards. It doesn’t matter if your blog isn’t dedicated to postcards. And if you don’t have a blog, keep checking out my blog, her blog and all the cool blogs that sign up!

Oh, your pipe wrench is so big.

She’s not bad; she’s just drawn that way. Lloyd Stoltz sent this card off to Kay Anthony on June 6, 1950 (the day before he sent her this card) with the message “See I’m asking you — ha ha. Hesitatingly, LS”.

Was Lloyd trying to cultivate a long-distance romance? What was the question from Kay to which he’s obviously replying? I don’t know where the cards that Kay sent to Lloyd are, but I hope they still exist somewhere.

See, I'm asking you...

The pause that refreshes.

If this doesn’t make you want to pause for a Coke, then nothing will. “The ‘Yes’ girl, shown in this 1946 painting typifies the bathing beauties created by famed artist Haddon Sundblom for Coca-Cola in the 1940s.” This card was produced in 1995.

Aspiring Models

This is a “Lusterchrome” postcard, number K-6218, by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston 15, Mass. The card has some post-production stamped text on the back reading “Greetings from Jekyll Island, Georgia” — no doubt where this card was originally sold — but it’s unlikely that this is where the photo was taken. This card is unused and in pristine condition.

Is it just me, or do the men appear to outnumber the women in this photo by about 37 to 1? And where are the bikinis?

"September Morn" (detail) by Paul Chabas

“THE SENSATION OF THE YEAR. FIRST PRIZE — At Paris Salon, June 1912, for which the Artist won the medal of honor, the highest recognition which any Artist can attain in France. The picture shows a rarely beautiful blond figure posed in the waters of the sea of Brittany an an hour when it glows like a great fire opal.” I had to think about this description for a while. I don’t think the writer means that the figure is only beautiful on rare occasions; I think he means that the beauty itself is rare.

Although Chabas won the Medal of Honor in France, the painting attracted little attention. Thus, he sent it to America to attract a buyer, where it was spotted in a gallery window by Anthony Comstock, moral crusader and founder of the New York Society for the Prevention of Vice. As a result of the publicity, bright boys began reproducing the image on everything from cigar boxes to calendars to postcards — one of which you see above, contemporary to the scandal. Thanks to Comstock’s political appointment as an agent of the Postal Service, the postcard itself was prohibited in the mails; consequently, this card is unused.

This sepia-toned reproduction does not do justice to the painting. I purchased this card in an antique shop for a dollar. Below is a representation of the entire painting.

September Morn