This reprint of an old postcard seems to be one of a series published in Nördlingen, Germany, entitled Alte Ansictskarten von Nördlingen (“Old Postcards of Nördlingen), and came to me from Beate, who grew up not too far from there. Pictured is one of eleven gates in the medieval Stadmauer (“city walls”), which are still very well preserved.

Beate also gave me a tip for dating older German postcards. The manufacturer’s address shows a four-digit postal code, and she tells me that Germany started using five-digit codes in 1993. Copycats! Maybe that’s why we expanded to nine digits. (As it happens, this postcard is labeled “Reprint 1984″.)

Unlike most postcards I received, this one arrived in an envelope — an actual air mail envelope! I didn’t think they were used much anymore.

Speaking of air mail, why don’t you fly on over to Postcard Friendship Friday and take a look around?  Today’s in-flight menu contains extra cheese.