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.

This is truly a beautiful card.  It depicts the Russarö Lighthouse near Hanko, Finland and was created by Kimmo Pälikkö. A working artist since childhood, he started creating postcards (in addition to his other works) in 1972.  You can buy postcards directly from his website; many sell for as little as €1 each, though it looks like there are some handpainted or limited edition cards that run into hundreds of euros.  I’m thinking of framing this card and hanging it in the bedroom, which already has a nautical theme.

Sini mailed me this card on 9 January 2009, writing: “In Finland we have a lot of snow right now and it’s very cold… I don’t like winter.”  No disrespect intended, Sini, but maybe Finland isn’t the place for you!

This “postcard” is in fact made of wood, and is an eighth of an inch thick. Looked at from the side, it appears to have a core of particle board with a slice of veneer on each side. Everything appears to be printed directly onto the wood and has no texture, with the exception of “Rockport, Mass” which was burned in. I suspect that there are several identical “cards” with different towns burned into them.

This card was manufactured by Vandercraft of Prineville, Oregon. I purchased it on a trip up the East Coast in 1997.