Update:
Thank you for all the well-wishes and prayers! Tom's surgery went great. We see the surgeon again tomorrow morning; and fingers crossed, this will correct the double-vision that's been plaguing him for the last few years.
* * *
A few years ago, Carol (Buttercup Counts her Blessings) published a series of entertaining posts titled, "Do you still?"
I got to thinking about that when -- as part of Anne's recent postcard exchange -- I realized there were NO postcards to be found. Anywhere!
I don't think the pandemic is at fault; rather, they quietly disappeared when I wasn't looking.
Not wanting to back out on my promise, I went to mother's hope chest. Ta-dah! Sure enough, there lay 80-some souvineer postcards. Because they're unblemished by pen or postage, I've no idea their vintage. Most contain black and white photography of architecture reminiscent of 1940-50's Europe.
(Victor, please correct me if I'm wrong!)
Not knowing what on earth to do with them, I returned the whole lot. Perhaps I should research to learn if they've any value.
Anyway! I recall when, on summer road trips, my father would buy a picture postcard -- and mail it back home to himself: "Having a great time!"
So glad the surgery went well and I hope you are feeling better today too. I love seeing the old post card from the Lauderdale Beach Hotel! The last postcard I received was from Anne for her postcard exchange. The last one I sent was to an elderly lady who lives in an assisted care facility that I "adopted" during the pandemic to send cards and little treats to.
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids were little instead of buying cheap souvenirs when we went on vacation I would let them each buy postcards everywhere we stopped. I'd have them write a sentence or two about where we went or what we did that day and mail them home to themselves or each other. They would be so excited to come home to look through them all again. It was fun!
Thank you, Martha! I love that idea of you having the children sending postcards to themselves. (And here, I thought my daddy was the only one -- lol.)
DeleteGosh, it has been forever since I sent or received a post card. They can still be purchased here in FL because we are a tourist and vacation place but you don't see them EVERYWHERE anymore, such as in restaurants. I am so glad Tom's surgery went well and sure hope it fixes his problem! I hope Victor can help you place the postcards from Europe. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terri! I'm glad to know the postcard industry hasn't passed into oblivion like so many things from the past.
DeletePraise the Lord that Tom is well. Still praying for you both.
ReplyDeleteI got my techie guy to enlarge the photo above. We could reads clearly Avenue des Champs Elises which is of course in Paris. Another card is from Luxembourg and the one at the back is from Egypt where you can see the Sphinx and Piramids. I did go there year ago but I could not see myself on the card. They probably took the photo after I left. We did not recognise the airport terminal.
I think these cards could be valuable, especially if they have not been written on and are new. Here in the UK there are collectors of old postcards. I recall years ago going to an exhibition of antiques and there were many stalls selling postcards from years gone by. It is worth checking if there's a market for such items in the US. I guess there is.
I hope this helps a little.
God bless, Mevely. So happy about your good news about Tom.
Yes, it does! I'm going to start researching.
DeletePS - The terminal you mention? I'm pretty sure that was where, in '57, we boarded to Queen for our return voyage to New York.
I'm glad Tom got through the surgery safely.
ReplyDeleteAs for postcards - their popularity has dwindled drastically and they are seemingly disappearing. The last time I saw postcards was when I lived in San Angelo TX. Numerous stores had them (including Walmart)
Your old postcards are fascinating. They're probably only worth a few dollars each (...but I'm no expert on the subject). I think it would be best if you keep them and savor the memories.
Your post has inspired me to (possibly) do a postcard post. I have lots of them that I collected since I was a kid. And I have a lot that my father got in Europe and Africa (many when he was in the Navy in WWII).
BTW - I have some wooden (yes WOODEN) postcards that I got when I lived in the Missouri Ozarks. I hope I can find them.
I found my wooden postcards and will (try to) take some pictures of them. The wood is thin and rather fragile.
DeleteYes! ... and even convenience stores/gas stations. I hope you will do a postcard post, Jon. The idea of a wooden postcard is fascinating!
DeleteI know I bought a lot of post cards, funny how I considered them souvenirs, and now wonder why! BUT I love your dad's sending the card to himself, no carrying them around!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad Tom's surgery went well, I know that is a relief... Praying for a "It looks great " from the Dr. tomorrow.
Sherry & jack
Thank you so much! Yes, this morning's visit to the doc was a 'thumb's up, see you next month.'
DeleteThey still sell postcards here at Fry's. At least the last time I was looking for them about a year or so ago. When I was a chemo angel and we went traveling I would send my chemo buddy a postcard from where we were visiting. My niece collected postcards from people's travels when she was growing up and had lots of people send her postcards from "exotic" places they visited. My sister will still send the occasional postcard when visiting. I think she's "channeling" my aunt who always sent postcards with "wish you were here" signed.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, between you and me, I would be reading the back of postcards too :) I'm a bit nosy :)
That was cute your dad sending the postcard to himself! I found most postcards end up being delivered weeks after the traveling people made it home!
Glad to hear Tom's surgery went well! Fingers crossed that it took care of the problem!
betty
You're right! Postcards' delivery was always abysmal. I remember reading one time where, in a survey, 90-some % of postal workers said they read what's written on a card.
DeleteSo glad to hear Tom's surgery went well and that he is recovering. Glad you are better too? I am assuming so since you are up and writing again! Now as for Post Cards, haven't sent any in years, but I remember buying them when we traveled as kids and I guess I sent them places because I don't have them anymore. My Dad had some nice ones from all over, but many came from his parents' collections. I know there are collectors who will pay big money for certain ones. I don't know what the postage is on postcards anymore. Yes, the notes can be quite interesting. Now you have be wondering if I have any tucked away in my boxes of memories. Haven't paid much attention in a long time to them. I know I sent some home from camp in the summers. Very interesting post...and now I want to go look for some. Have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't quote postage to save my life! Last year some of us from church were given postcards and encouraged to send one or two to an inmate at the nearby women's prison. Because I didn't want to go stand in line at the P.O., I just threw on a first-class stamp and said, "Go with God"! 🙂
Deleteyou missed THE MOST IMPORTANT thing about the 1944 card. It was stamped when I was 34 days old. born sept 5, 1944 and the only old letter I own is the letter from my grandaddy here in Florida to me in Nov 1944... the last ones i bought were winter of 84 i bought one in each truck stop while driving for 90 days in the JB hunt truck. after i moved here, when the blasted goverernment took Mamas house by eminent domain, she called and asked what to do with them. i said toss in the trash. have since wished i had saved them, I last sent one to Sweden to monica right after i met her in 2009 or 201o. postcars are in every store in Florida. big Business here. CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and of course all the beach shops.
ReplyDeleteHappy dance the surgery went well and i do hope tht double vision will be gone. that would drive me nuts and make me dizzy
Of course. I didn't even think about tourists and their postcards! That's pretty neat about your collecting postcards from the road.
DeleteChange of subject: Did they still have the Burma-Shave signs when you were driving?
Such a treasure trove of old postcards, Myra, not to mention all the great memories they invoke! Come to think of it, I don't know when the last time was I received a post card. I will make a point of hunting around for some.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Tom is doing well!!!
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha! Let me know if you find any!
DeleteSo glad Tom's surgery went well!! I've seen postcards in a few places over the last few years -- the stores in Gulf Shores usually have postcards. We actually send birthday postcards from our church (not touristy but with our logo, etc.). We make them in house -- I assume postage is still cheaper for postcards but I'm not sure about that.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea -- sending birthday greetings on postcards!
DeleteI used to mail post cards back home every time I'd go some where. I haven't noticed any to buy anymore. They were cheaper than writing letters as far as the postage went, so that were very popular. I've seen many old ones for sale in antique stores and love looking through them.
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Even as late as 1983-84, when we'd go on vacation I'd print a page of stick-on labels, pre-addressed. That way, when I'd buy a postcard I could just throw on a label and a stamp ... no muss, no fuss.
DeleteIt has been several years since I last received a postcard. I'm thinking both kids were still at home and it was sent by my mom on one of her vacations. As for sending one, it's been longer yet. When my daughter went to Australia nearly 12 years ago it was suggested that she take postcards of here to give to the people she met there (it was a student ambassador program), but we couldn't find any at all! I have some saved postcards that were sent to me as a child, but my most favorite and prized wasn't sent to me. Someone sent it to my grandmother when she was a little girl. It's a photo of a kitty that someone inserted green glass eyes in and at one time it meowed when you tipped it. Nana always kept it tucked into the glass on the china cupboard. Since I inherited the cupboard the kitty stays where he is.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea, your daughter bringing postcards to give people she met while on holiday! Friendlier than a business card, for sure.
DeleteHave you shared a picture of your grandmother's Kitty before? Cool!
First off forgive me for not knowing Tom had surgery. I'm relieved to hear he's doing well. I hope he recovers quickly. I love postcards. i delighted in sending and receiving them throughout my life. loved hearing all about yours. its been ages since i've seen one even displayed. since my mobility doesn't allow me to hit any vacation spots anymore I'm not sure you'd find them there either. Yours may be worth more than you think. type in the subject matter and search ebay. i saw some for 18 and 30 dollars. can't stop smiling about Fenix. tell tom to take care. he'll be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteGood idea! Now I just need a discipline transplant. (LOL) I hadn't talked about Tom's surgery I suppose because it's routine. All the same, prayers are valued beyond measure.
DeleteWhat an interesting post. What a great collection. I like that you dad sent post cards to himself. What a great idea! I haven't been anywhere in awhile where I would normally see post cards.
ReplyDelete🙂
DeleteGlad Tom is doing so well. I recently found out my favorite eye doc was killed in FLorida on his bike. I am sure he had recently retired. I am so heartbroken. He and his brother and dad had such a practice. His children had zero interest in it. SO very sad. He always was so careful with anything I had to do because of my shunt and was shocked the other docs were so cavalier. Doctors like him are a thing of the past... I love all the postcards. I Keep them in plastic sleeves. amazon carries them. I love all the boys old football, baseball, sports cards too. SInce neither one is itnerested in them I took them and bought the sleeve pages for them too. My father would be so proud of me. :-) I am still in limbo on gifting each person fromt he postcard exchange. I LOVE those cards I received. SO many ideas and I am havign a tough time deciding what to send each of you. :-) I am really catching up here with you. SMILE
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