Postcard Diaspora: Framingham Center, Massachusetts 1957

 

Postcard mailed from Long Beach, California, to Framingham Center, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, March 27, 1957. Message: All the 'stars' have homes here at Palm Springs and some of them are fabulous. We are in a darling motel, San Lorenzo, built all around a pool. Each 'studio room' has a bath and kitchenette and we got our own breakfast. The foliage and flowers are everywhere in abundance. We sure hate to leave this spot. 82° today. We should have come out here when you were West. Much love to all, Peg and Dad. I'll mail this to the Framingham address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Salt Lake City, 1952

 

Postcard mailed from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Johnson City, New York, on Friday, May 23, 1952. Message: What a beautiful place. I couldn't find a card with the snow capped Rockies on it except this one, looking through the arch. To me, it was the most beautiful of all. You ride along under them & feel like a tiny ant they are so tall and cold looking. More later. Mary & Bob. I'll mail this to the Johnson City address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Portsmouth, England 1982

Postcard mailed from Florida to Portsmouth, England, on July 14, 1982. Message: Dear Vicky, A little song from an old friend. BLOOD ON THE SADDLE [musical notation]. (sung an octave lower) Love to all from Charlie. I'll mail this to the Portsmouth address today.

A Craig Shergold Postcard

I had no idea who Craig Shergold was until I came across this postcard in a bulk lot I bought. The sender mailed the postcard on July 11, 1990, and writes, Hi Craig, I hope you'll get your wish today. Love, Larissa Robins.

Pizza Nostalgia

I'm no fan of Pizza Hut pizza, but I certainly was when I was a kid, and this postcard I came across shows a PH restaurant just as it was when I used to go to the branch on N Main St in Dayton, OH, in the 1970s. You have the long-lost "Pizza Hut Pete" (they really ought to bring him back), the checkered tablecloths, the wooden seats and even the "beer barrels" that stuck out of the wall, housing the beer taps. This image really took me back!

Postcard Diaspora: Bristol, CT 1916

Postcard mailed from Athol, MA, to Bristol, CT, on 12/21/1916. Message: I hope you are well as we are. How do you like your machine? We have fine sleighing here, is there much snow down there? Lovingly, Ella. I'll mail this to Bristol address this weekend.

Response to 1974 Roanoke, Virginia Postcard Mailing

To see the original postcard diaspora entry, click here.

Dear Mr. Goodwin,

I'm writing in regard to a letter a neighbor received and gave to my cousin (who procrastinates!). The letter, 'POSTCARD DIASPORA', was written on April 19, 2011. It was just given to me by my cousin, who lives in Florida, but rents the house I grew up in so she can live in Virginia (where she also grew up) during the summer.

  The post card was addressed to 'Resident', 511 A---- Ave. SE, Roanoke, Va. 24014. This is the house next door to where I grew up (which is 515 A---- Ave. SE). The 'Resident' is not one to respond to mail like this so she gave it to my cousin. My cousin is just now getting it to me! I hope this makes sense!!! Anyway, I will mail the post card back to you but thought I would go ahead and email a response since it has taken so long for anyone to respond.

   Actually, the message just doesn't make sense to me, because Bent Mountain is within 10 miles of Roanoke (where we live) and 'she' is talking about getting fat off of fresh fried clams, fresh salmon and shrimp. Roanoke is not near the shore - you probably know where it is but if you don't, it is about 40 miles east of Blacksburg (Virginia Tech). The post card is from Coos Bay, Oregon - which, of course, would have seafood. But I am having a very hard time reading the card and a very hard time reading the date. It looks like 1974. I cannot remember when Mr. C------ died, but I guess it was before '74. It is signed 'The Baby' so I would think that is Sue Jo, the 'baby' of the family. So let me tell you about the family.

Postcard Diaspora: Hammond, IN 1966

Postcard mailed from San Francisco to Hammond, Indiana, on October 10, 1966, depicts a street scene in SF's Chinatown.

Message: Hi all! Arrived OK. Went to China Town today. You can have it man. They sure go for fish. 1st nite we went to see Dick Gregory. Very good but what a dive place he was in The Hungry I. Wow! Head for Golden Gate tomorrow. See you. Irene.

Will mail this to original Hammond address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Patchogue, New York 1962

Postcard mailed to Patchogue from Amarillo, TX, on May 8, 1962. Depicts the Holiday Inn in Amarillo.

Message: Dearest Mother -, 200 miles from Roswell. Bought a seersucker suit dress at Weatherford, Okla. High 80s Low 90s today. Stopped early and all went in the swimming pool. The boys loved it. Very good riders. Will write soon. Love from all, Esther.

Will mail this to original Patchogue address tomorrow.

Response to 1949 Yorkshire, England Postcard

Original postcard entry here.

"Dear Christopher
Firstly, i would like to apologies for not getting back to you sooner on receiving the magical postcard you sent us.
We live at 30 V______ Road Huddersfield Yorkshire England.
When I first picked up your letter I was immediately intrigued, and this was before i opened it. I made myself a coffee and indulged myself with a cigarette to aid my contemplation of its contents. I knew of course that whoever had sent the letter did not know us by name, only that we where the current occupants to whom it had been addressed.
It is not uncommon to find 'current occupant' letters in our post box and they are normally disposed of without a further thought, but this one was different, not least so because it had clearly traveled a long distance. And yet even with the puzzlement of someone from the United States sending an unnamed letter i eventually prepared myself for the disappointment of discovering yet another flier intent on selling us something ( all be it with an admittedly ingenious method). My cynicism was happily blown out of the water when i discovered your wonderful gift and i cannot thank you enough for your thoughtful generosity, everyone we have shown it to since has been enthusiastically charmed .
Beyond this and probably the most incredible coincidence is that my youngest daughter is called Eden, the name of the sender of the postcard some 50 or so years ago from what i can make out, this all prompted a playful conversation that she might be some sort of time traveller.
Once again, thank you so much Christopher you have graced us with a sheer delight and we will treasure it and keep it safe in a frame.

With very best wishes
Stephen, Lisa, Taome and Eden H______. x
ps am I right in assuming that you are an artist (deduced from your e mail address), only that would be another great coincidence as i am an artist also."

Postcard Diaspora: Roanoke, Virginia 1974

Postcard mailed to Roanoke from Coos Bay, OR on 7/2/1974, depicts the Holiday Motel in Coos Bay. Message: Fishing & lagging comprise the economy. Scenery is beautiful -- roads are awful. Hundreds of miles up & down Bent Mountain - cattle crossings & all - rock slides. Will get fat as a bear - fried clams (fresh) fresh salmon, shrimp in butter. Need you with me. Love, The Baby. I'll mail this to Roanoke address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: Frankfort, Indiana 1963

Postcard mailed to Frankfort, IN from Colter Bay, WY on 7/29/1963, depicts the Challenger Inn. Message: Hi -- We just left Sun Valley after two marvelous days. We ice skated this morning and ate lunch yesterday and today at The Ram. The music camp is in full swing here. We saw the Sun Valley Ice Carnival last nite. Love from the Campers. I'll mail this to Frankfort address tomorrow.

Response to St Albans, England postcard

Here's the original postcard. The sender also kindly enclosed a modern postcard of the Roman Theatre in Verulamium in St. Albans. Click on the image to embiggen.

Postcard Diaspora: Hobart, Indiana 1964

Hobart, IN postcard mailed 6/17/1964 from Washington, DC. Message: Hi Mrs. P.C.!!! As you can see by the postmark, I've decided to show the legislators how to get on the ball personally. Denny Smith. I'll mail this to Hobart address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: Edgewood, Rhode Island 1949

Edgewood (now Cranston), RI postcard mailed 12/30/1949 from Boston, depicts the Boston Custom House. Message: Dear Mom:- This morning we slept until 10:00 then we took the elevated railway into Boston. It was lots of fun. Tomorrow we are to "do the town." It is a very nice place tell you all about it later. Love, Jill I'll send this to RI address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: Hartford, Connecticut 1923

Hartford postcard mailed 8/10/1923 from Providence, RI, depicts the Normal School and State Capitol. Message: Hello Anna:- How do you like scene in Prov. Ask Rob to show you the Postcard I sent him. Going out riding now. Alice. I'll mail this to Hartford address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: Naperville, Illinois ca 1970s

Naperville, IL postcard mailed from Peru sometime in the 1970s (probably), depicts the Window of the Snakes in Machupicchu. Message: Meine Lieben Alle: I just returned from Machupicchu It was probably the highlight of the whole trip. Except for the short stay in Lima, we really spent most of our time in the wilderness that's why you received so little mail. [Illegible] is 3.326 m above sea, a fascinating town. This morning we have a tour of the town. The Incas were great architects. I am longing for Davey. How is he? Food is excellent everywhere, much better than in Mexico. If only I could speak Spanish. Love, [signature]. I'll mail this to Naperville address tomorrow.

"Response" to 1957 Ravenna, Ohio Postcard

Haha, not much of a response, and they sent the postcard back to me.

Postcard Diaspora: New Haven, Connecticut 1906

Postcard mailed to New Haven 8/2/1906 from Norfolk, VA, depicts the Hampton Institute in Hampton, VA on an advertising postcard for the Old Dominion Line. Message: Suppose you are thinking of me and wonder if I am sick. As I write you can feel the boat rock. Hope for a moon-light night. Yours, Ed. [P.S.] Could not take any picture as it was too cloudy. [On board O.D.S.S. Co.'s S.S.] Hamilton Wed. Aug. 1st 1906 I'll mail this to New Haven address tomorrow.

By the way, looks like the steamship Hamilton got into some trouble back in October 1900.

Postcard Diaspora: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1966

Pittsburgh postcard mailed 8/11/1966 from Wildwood, NJ, depicts a sailboat at sunset. Message: I feel silly writing this when I know I'll be home a wk. before you get it. We plan to go surf riding (on horses) a then surf riding (California style) yet this wk. I'll tell you ALL about it! Love, Judi. I'll mail this to Pittsburgh address tomorrow.