A Box of Postcards

 by MJ Malleck /// Today’s postcard was sent from London, England to Owen Sound September 15, 1977, almost 45 years ago. It reads: Many thanks for driving us down to Malton. We got off in time in a 747 and arrived on time, Heathrow. London is bright and warm to-day. We are in Hammersmith but there is a free bus into the Bristol so hope to get into town tomorrow. Love Phil & Charlotte. Two stamps, purple 5p with Queen Elizabeth’s profile, familiar to Canadians from our coinage and stamps. Although, in the 70s, our coins show Queen Elizabeth facing left and wearing a small tiara. The full crown on these British stamps didn’t appear on our coins until 1990. And I find that this crown is actually called a diadem. It is a full circle and what Elizabeth wears for royal portraits. The George IV State Diadem or the Diamond Diadem, made for his coronation. With roses, thistles, and shamrocks as symbols of England, Scotland, and Ireland it was designed in 1820 and has 1,333 diamond...

Today's postcard is unused, and it depicts an area of Scotland called Ganavan Sands, Oban, Argyllshire. As usual I am struck by the coincidences: I am currently planning a vacation to Scotland, to visit my neice who married a Scotsman and lives there. Her last name is now Valentine - and this postcard's publisher is also Valentine!! This is C102 of the Valentine's Scots Pictorial Series. James Valentine was an original member of the Edinburgh Photographic Society and his company, James Valentine and Sons Ltd. produced postcards up until the 1960s. This one is likely from 1960 or 1963. It shows a lovely seascape, and says this: "Ganavan Sands, Oban, Argyllshire - The strip of safe sand is the playground for visitors to the nearby busy holiday town of Oban." When you Google Ganavan Sands you will see that a new development of upscale homes is being build with a seaside view. The website for the developer includes a virtual tour of different versions of the homes. So...

Today's postcard (on top) has not been used, but I felt it was appropriate for Valentine's Day. It features a painting and is called "View of Lover's Leap and The Narrows". At the bottom it says "1652 Ft. Above Sea Level, Cumberland, MD. 4" On the back, it says, "Lover's Leap and The Narrows, Cumberland, Maryland. From Lover's Leap one may view the National Highway (U.S. 40) one thousand feet below. The city of Cumberland and surrounding states of Pennsyvania and West Virginia may be seen from this point." My research tells me that this postcard is likely showing a 1937 view, but may have been produced in 1951 as it is printed on linen stock by Marken & Bielfeld. In fact, I found a matching postcard (it is numbered 3 on the bottom) for sale for $8 to $10. It is by the same company, looks similar to this but is the 1937 Aerial View of the Narrows West of Cumberland (image on the bottom). The legend of "Lover's Leap" ex...

Today I'm featuring two postcards at once - because it is freaky that they were together in the box, and that they look so much alike, and that one is from North Carolina in 1967 and one is from Kanazawa, Japan mailed in 1963! Have a look and a read: Top from Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina: "A delightful village - 80 degrees this afternoon. 5 large golf courses - John is having a splendid time you know where! Andy says you two would enjoy the quaint shops here - we went to church this a.m. in Durham, N.C. arrived here after lunch. Hope you are having a fine Easter. Cleaned and packed drapes before I left." Bottom from Kanazawa, Japan: "Dear Friends, One of our oldest cherry trees goes on this card to greet you and to say thanks for your part in this wonderful trip. I am loving every minute." I have learned that the Village of Pinehurst is situated in the Sandhills of North Carolina and boasts world-famous golf courses. This beautiful area was settled in th...

"Hi, again. Today we are having a waiting day. Patience you know. I told you I lost my wallet. Tried Kish Lorraine saw Laterna Magika going to Expo Theater Monday - The Supremes. Having fun. Love Betty" This postcard depicts the Great Britian Pavilion at Expo67. I was 6 years old and in Grade One. For some reason I had two tiny red placemats with the gold logo stamped on them - I think we got them in school. Of course the only image I remember is the big round dome, which was the USA pavilion at Expo67. This person lost their wallet - were they waiting for their ID to be returned? Or for money to reach them? How hard was all that to figure out in 1967 before the internet and the ATM technology we have today? Quiche Lorraine - I guess it's a French dish originally, but I made it for all my children's baptisms - because it's easy (with frozen pie crust) and you can assemble it in the morning and put it in the oven as you leave for church and when you return from th...