The Postcard Museum

A collection of my favorite postcards, along with reference and historical information about postcards. The cards generally fall into one of the following themes: -- Theodore Roosevelt -- Boston, MA -- Rockland, MA -- Burlington, VT -- New York, NY (particularly Brooklyn) -- Public High Schools -- Law-Related Buildings -- Computer-Related -- Baseball -- 1963 Occasionally, I will also include cards that I find significant or amusing.

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Anniversary of the Postcard

From The London Chronicle.

Vienna, Jan. 19.--To-day being the thirtieth anniversary of the birth of the postcard, its inventor, Dr. Emanuel Hermann, Professor at the Vienna Technical Institute, has received congratulations from all parts of the world. Dr. Hermann's first article suggesting the introduction of the postcard appeared in the Neue Freie Presse of Jan. 26, 1869. Six months later Austria adopted the proposal, and all the other States followed its example.

The New York Times, February 12, 1899.

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What Interests Vienna

Vienna, Dec. 19.--

[ . . . ]

Pictorial Postcard Craze

The pictorial postcard craze is still on the increase both here and in all other countries. By degrees it is becoming an important branch of industry. Not only painters and draughtsmen are pressed into the service of the pictorial postcard and obtain remunerative employment through it, but also authors are now made to do their share. Ten author-cards have been published already, each with a well-executed likeness of the writer with his autograph. For one of them the celebrated and popular Vienna playwright C. Karlweiss has written the following humorous verses:

Denk dir, o Freund-oder Friendin-- Wir beide waeren allein Auf einer einsamen unsel Wie herrlich muesste das sein! Es gaebe dort keine Zeitung Und keine Politik, Es gaebe dort keine Mode Unde niemand wuestte, was "chic"! Es gaebe dort keine Vereine Und keinen Saeckelwart Es gaebe dort kein Postamt-- Und keine Ansichtskart!

New York Times, January 7, 1900, p. 21.

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The Picture Postcard Craze Abroad

St. Petersburg, Oct. 30.--The picture postcard craze is in full swing in the Baltic provinces and Poland. A postcard exposition is to be held in Warsaw during the coming winter.

The New York Times, October 31, 1900, p. 7.

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July 8, 1907 -- Hotel Astoria, New York, N.Y.

Mr. Fred C. O'Brien, Crescent Beach, Conn.

"How is glass jar's this year?

Lana"

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October 26, 1905 -- The Battery and Old Castle Garden, New York.

Mrs. John Austin Stevens, No. 73 W. (?) Second Ave., Newport, R.I.

[text illegible]

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1940 Cadillac LaSalle, Boston, Mass.

Mr. B. J. Bowen, 13 Hillside Terrace, Newton, Mass.

"We are holding a special display of 1940 LaSalles at our showroom this week. Hope you might find it convenient to visit us.

F. S. Kord (?)"

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April 26, 1935 -- Public Library [Boston, Mass.]

One of the notable architectural monuments of its day, in the designing of which collaborated such famous artists as Bela L. Pratt, Frederick McMonnies [sic], Augustus St. Gaudens, Daniel C. French, Purvis de Chavannes, Louis St. Gaudens, Edwin A. Abbey, John S. Sargent, John Elliott, Joseph Lindon Smith, Elmer E. Garnsey.

Miss Mabel Russell, East Saint John, Saint John, N.B., Canada [Sackville, N.B.]

"Dear Mabel:

Am having a lovely vacation + arrive home on Saturday. I went to the Metropolitan Theatre last night + it surely is some place. I presume you will be gone away before I get home. Write + tell me what is new + exciting around Sackville.

As ever, Marion"

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Boston's Prudential Center

This view shows the War Memorial Auditorium, the Sheraton-Boston Hotel and the skyscraping Prudential Tower.

Mr. + Mrs. RHJ Bolland, "Woodcott," Woodbury Grove, Lovedean, Hants, England

"25/10/70

Dear Mom + Dad,

Been to Boston for 4 days + just returned today. Stayed @ Harvard and attended (?) internship conference -- dominated by the BLACKS. Met old friends from Malawi. Had gorgeous Chinese/Greek/sea food. Boston makes Syracuse look like a cow town! But all goes well and very glad to be able to go to Boston. Has a newspaper arrived yet from me? My caste (?) has apparently left Malawi.

Love, Pat"

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August 3, 1951 -- United Nations Building, East River in background, New York City.

Susan Lane, Northway Lodge, Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada

"Dear Susan,

I am having a fabulous time in New York. This afternoon we're going to the U.N. building today. Yesterday we took a boat ride around Manhattan.

Love, Polly"

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Prudential Center, Boston, Massachusetts [montage]

Left: Prudential Tower--Warn Memorial Auditorium--Sheraton-Boston Hotel Top: Looking Northeast from Skywalk Bottom: First Church of Christ Scientist looking from Skywalk

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Prudential Center, Boston, Mass.

A 31-acre "city-within-a-city"--750-foot-high tower building, Sheraton-Boston Hotel, City of Boston War Memorial Auditorium, two apartment buildings, four commercial buildings, shopping malls, ice-skating rink.

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October 8, 2014 -- 'Council Square in Brasov around 1900,' Brasov, Romania

F.S. Lane III (and Amy!), 242 Washington Ave., Apt. 2, Brooklyn, NY 11205, USA

"Hey Kids!

Not an actual old card; I am holding out for an Amherst card from Romania. Wouldn't that be something! Nonetheless, the city really does still pretty much look like this. One of the effects of communist economic mismanagement is that little construction took place, so things are really unchanged.

Best, Sam"

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March 9, 1915 -- New York Public Library, New York

Miss A. Dora Fincke, Mountain Grove Farm, Lopey, PA R.F.D. 1

"With love and best wishes for your birthday!--

Your cousin Jessie

We are all well + hope you are too."

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September 25, 1931 -- The Castle, Inverness

Mrs. G. E. Jordan (?), 879 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

"Saturday. This castle is where Sophi's people came from. A charming city. We are to go to London tomorrow a.m. - Sunday - Arrived tonight - now 11.30. Had fine trip. 397 miles and the coaches very comfy. Made 5 stops, no one a bit tired, roads excellent. Hope you are gaining each day. My thoughts are with you so much.

Love, Bromie (?)"

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May 8, 1931 -- The Roosevelt House, 28 East 20th Street, New York -- The Nursery

The Woman's Roosevelt Memorial Association invites you to visit the restored birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt and the museum at 28 East 20th Street, New York City.

Miss F. A. White, 59 (?) South Street, Foxboro, Mass.

"This shows the crib and baby chair of the president T. R.

Have just accepted an invitation to a party for Wednesday May 13. Hope to see you Monday.

M. N. (?)"

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February 25, 1931 -- An Old New Hampshire Home in winter Near Shattuck Inn

Mrs. Albert R. Willard, 19 Crescent St., Franklin, Mass.

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August 18, 1930 -- Main St., from Post Office, Ellsworth, Me.

Mrs. Bert Willard, Crescent St., Franklin, Mass.

"Expect you are home by this time so please keep eye on the Donald lady. She was pretty good as long as I did. I am having a great time as the weather is wonderful.

Much love from (?) and me."