Postcard Diaspora: Kings Park, New York 1952

Kings Park, New York postcard mailed 10/6/1952 from Daytona Beach, Fl, depicts the Atlantic Seaside Court in Daytona Bch. Message: "Sunday eve. We arrived here at 5 pm. a swell place right on ocean write later Tired and hot. Bill and Cris. [Marginalia] How's the Dodgers?" I'll mail this to original address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: Covington, Virginia 1929

Covington, Kentucky postcard mailed 10/29/1929 from Elkins, WV, depicts a view of Pennsylvania Ave in DC. Message: "Dear Friend Wade, We had a lovely trip home. We shall long remember your kind hospitality to us. I hope you wil come to Elkins next fall and we can return the complement. Wish the very best things for your W.F.M.S.* and the missionary cause in general. Sincerely, Cunningham" I'll mail this to original address tomorrow.
*a quick google of WFMS suggests she was embarking on a mission run by the Woman's Foreign Missionary Service run by the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Postcard Diaspora: Brooklyn, New York 1961

Brooklyn, New York postcard mailed 3/18/1961 from St. Petersburg, FL, depicts the Ben Bow Apartment Motel. Message: "Regards from the travelers. This is where we are staying right on the beach. Saw May & Adolph & they are fine. Expect to leave for home next Wednesday, reluctantly! Love, [signature]" I'll mail this to original address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: New Bedford, Massachusetts 1957

New Bedford, Massachusetts postcard mailed 7/20/1957 from Indian Rocks Beach, FL, depicts the Twin Arch Apartments. Postage used: .02. Message: "Hi Bena & Paul, Lovely over here, my girl friend and her husband are wonderful to Patsy and I. We are going to Miami next week, wish I could live here all the time, beautiful. Mary & Patsy" I'll mail this to original address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: San Mateo, California

San Mateo, California postcard mailed sometime in the 1950s/1960s from Sarasota, FL, depicts Sarasota's Azure Tides Hotel Court at Lido Beach. Postage used: .04. Message: "We're having a wonderful rest & change down here -- It's just about the best [illegible] found in Fla. Had a note from Kit telling me of your latest 'sojourn.' Shall write when we return in April. Love - [illegible] & C." I'll mail this to original address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: Covington, Kentucky 1909

Covington, Kentucky postcard mailed 10/8/1909 from Portland, IN, it's a real-photo exaggeration card depicting a giant rabbit and hunter. Postage used: .01. Message: "Recd box allright. Will write when I get time. [signature]" I'll mail this to original address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: Greenwood, Massachusetts 1954

Greenwood, Massachusetts postcard mailed 8/16/1954 from Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, Canada, depicts the Brunswick Hotel in Moncton, NB. Postage used: .04 Canadian. Message: "Saw [illegible] and Blanchard the other day. Stayed in economy about three hours. The roads are very good. Be home soon. Marian." I'll mail this to original address on 3/28/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Roslindale, Massachusetts 1934

Roslindale, Massachusetts postcard mailed 6/28/1934 from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, depicts the Admiral Beatty Hotel. Postage used: .02 Canadian. Message: "June 28-- Arrived yesterday at 10:30 am had a beautiful trip. Sorry I did not see you at the boat. Will likely motor most of way home as my sister has a car. Wil try to see your cousin if I do not leave for P.E.I. tomorrow. I hope you are all well Give my love to Miss Annie. Kindest regards to all. With love, E. Stewart" I'll mail this to original address on 3/28/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine postcard mailed (most likely) from Independence, MO, depicts the Holiday Inn of Independence. Postage used: .03. Message: "Hi we arrived safely and are having a lovely time arrived at 5:00 A.M. We are tired, Teddy." I will send this to the original address on 3/28/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: South Berwick, Maine 1944

South Berwick, Maine postcard mailed 5/4/1944 from Quebec City, Quebec, depicts the Chateau Frontenac Hotel. Postage used: .03 Canadian. Message: "5/3/44. Dear Roger: We arrived here safely about 9:45 p.m. after a pleasant day's trip; very hot on train; it is beautiful here at this hotel and they gave us a fine reception, entertainment and refreshments, so it is now nearly one and we are ready for bed. Very sleepy. Do wish you were here. Love, Beulah [?]. [Marginalia] (164 in party.) (I have a lovely room with a wonderful view.)" I will send this to the original address on 3/28/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Verdun, Quebec 1937

Verdun, Quebec postcard mailed 9/2/1937 from New York City, depicts aerial view of the Medical Center, although sender penciled in above the image "Hotel 'Rio' at 159th St. Broadway--N.Y." Postage used: .02. Message: "Hya Bill: Well here we are at last, NEW YORK, arrived last night 10:30, got accomodated at a swell hotel, changed, 'went out', got to bed 2 AM. No shopping as yet. (HOW's THE PAV. GOIN) Jack" I will send this to the original address on 3/28/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Philadelphia, PA 1925

Philadelphia, PA postcard mailed 8/17/1925 from Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada, depicts Evangeline Beach, Grand Pré, NS. Postage used: .02 Canadian. Message: "Thanks awfully for taking care of me. Hope you were able to get the 10 [illegible]. Coming home about the 28th. [Signature]" I will send this to the original address on 3/28/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Chicago, Illinois 1957

Chicago, Illinois postcard mailed 8/25/1957 from Washington, DC, depicts Allison's Little Tea House in Arlington, VA. Postage used: .02. Message: "Howdy! We have just had a wonderful dinner & wish you were here with us-- Love, Marie and Nan" Note: I will send this postcard to original address on 3/26/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Tulsa, Oklahoma 1953

Tulsa, Oklahoma postcard mailed 8/4/1953 from Sunland, CA, depicts Buffum's Department Store in Orange County. Postage used: .02. Message: "Dear Evelyn. - Rec'd card from Chicago so glad you went, we are always glad to get home & appreciate it more. Hope to see you the middle of Sept. Miss my Tulsa friends. Love Pearl" Note: I will send this postcard to original address on 3/26/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Hagerstown, Maryland 1946

Hagerstown, Maryland postcard mailed 8/12/1946 from Atlantic City, NJ, depicts AC's Lower Chelsea Beach and hotels. Postage used: .01. Message: "[Salutation obscured] We arrived here Sunday morning about 5 oclock. Weather so far has been fine. 'Jim' and I are going in the ocean this [af]ternoon. See you later. 'Lib'" Note: I will send this postcard to original address on 3/26/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Washington, DC 1954

Washington, DC postcard mailed 3/23/1954 from San Francisco, CA, depicts the famous Cliff House and Seal Rocks in SF. Postage used: .02. Message: "Dear Mother and Daddy, [obscured] in San Francisco nearing end of tour. We had lunch at the Cliff House yesterday & saw numerous seals out on the rocks. We will be here a couple of days. Love to all, Marietta" Note: I will send this postcard to original address on 3/26/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: South Portland, Maine 1965

South Portland, Maine postcard sent 4/19/1965 from New York City, depicts Central Park. Postage used: .04. Message: "Joel, You'd love all the 'bleached blondes' here. This place is wonderful. Our hotel is in the middle of everything. They were skating in Rockefeller Center (ice). We are going to Radio City in about 1/2 hour. Well got to run. Love ya, Cath [P.S.] Be Good" This postcard will be mailed to original address on March 26, 2010.

Postcard Diaspora: Laurinburg, North Carolina 1945

Laurinburg, NC postcard sent 8/20/1945 from Brevard, NC, depicts the Rock-brook Camp for Girls in Brevard. Postage used: .01. Message: "Dear Mather [that's whatit looks like], I am coming home with Mather Hannah. Am not sure when she is leaving but guess it is Thursday. She is taking Jane B. with her. Love, Jane. [PS] Thisis a picture of the lodge and lake and vesper rock." Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Hatfield, Pennsylvania 1974

Hatfield, PA postcard sent 6/3/1974 from Jackson, WY, depicts the Teton Range. Postage used: .08. Message: "Hi Paul, It is really neat here -- the mountains are so beautiful. Wish I could stay. It's really hard to find someone to climb with, mostly hiking. See you soon, Diane" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Loma Linda, California 1970

Loma Linda, CA postcard sent 3/28/1970 from Santa Barbara, depicts view of Santa Barbara city, harbor and Channel Islands. Postage used .05. Message: "Hi! Sorry we couldn't call, but enjoyed talking with Kathy We are enjoying SB & have really fallen in love with it. Love, George & Shirlee" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Belleville, New Jersey 1925

Belleville, NJ postcard sent (apparently) 8/26/25 from somewhere in Maine, depicts Mt Chocorua and Chocorua Lake in NH's White Mountains. Postage used: .02. Message: "Dear Bill: Does this look familiar to you? This is where I was yesterday. Left 7 A.M. for an all day trip to the White Mts. Weather has been wonderful. Swimming is great here. Am writing this on my lap. Sincerely, Emily" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Yorkshire, England 1949

Yorkshire, England postcard sent (apparently) 1/12/49 from Boston, depicts Boston's Public Gardens. Postage used: .05. Message: "Had a lovely crossing only two rough days. Landed with glorious sunshine--hope it continues. Start work tomorrow (Monday)!! Hope you have fully recovered. Love to both, Eden" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.

Postcard Diaspora: Bethel, Ohio

Bethel, Ohio postcard sent 4/19/68 from Denver, shows Denver skyline at night. Postage used: .10 airmail. Message: "Dear Mother, Arrived on schedule. It was cold about 30 last night & they had snow the day before yesterday. It is [illegible] warmer to-day. Will be home to night & will see you Sunday A.M. Love, David" Note: I sent this postcard to original address on 3/25/2011.


So I'm starting a project to return old postcards that I've purchased in bulk over the years to the address they were originally sent to. The project is tentatively entitled "Postcard Diaspora", but that's just because I like the word "diaspora" and really given the fact that I intend to return the postcards to their "homes" maybe it's really the opposite of what this idea should be called.

Anyhow, the ephemeral nature of postcards has always appealed to me. Postcards aren't quite letters--more like texts, in modern parlance--and usually got thrown away or sold off in estate sales, etc. So, regardless of how banal the messages may be (and really, they never are, because every postcard is a snapshot of a time, place and person), I find them to be portals into a moment with little to no context, around which, with imagination, one can wrap one's own ideas and create flights of fancy.

Another great appeal to me is imagining what it must be like to be on the receiving end of one of the re-sent postcards. Maybe it's a connection to the house's past, to long-dead previous owners. Maybe it's a postcard your mother or father or grandmother or grandfather or even great-grandmother or great-grandfather sent. Maybe it'll make you sad, or nostalgic, or happy, or indifferent if you receive one of these old cards. Who knows?

So the first postcard I'm sending out is to an address in Bethel, Ohio. I will include with each post the front and back of the postcard, as well as the message, date sent from/to, postage used.

I've encouraged recipients to send me any comments, so I'll share them if/when I get them. So follow this blog to see new Postcard Diaspora posts.

Zippy for Japan

Came across this 2003 Zippy strip today among my things, and by things, I mean stuff, by which I mean things. Anybody out there who can translate it?

Trashball 110309: The Case of the Marked Notes

Because I fear that creditors will somehow infiltrate my bank account, I lean heavily toward a cash world, in my pocket. So I notice stuff. Like all the marks on money.

Given to rumination about objects, I cannot hold a coin, Federal Reserve Note, or vibrator without wondering where it's been.

In my paranoid check-cashing, though, I've noticed an interesting phenomenon on high-value notes. Given that most of our paper currency bears traces of cocaine (esp. here in DC), we shouldn't be surprised that much of our folding money, particularly of high denomination, has gone through the hands of pushers.

And I believe it's druggy folks that use these wonderful little rubber stamps on money. I recently came across a well stamped $100 bill, illustrated here. Who are these people? Is it ego that makes them tattoo our money? Okay, that's a stupid question.

Anyhow, viva "Jhon"!