Brooklyn Bridge, New York, 1907

Brooklyn Bridge

Postmarked in 1907 with a one cent Benjamin Franklin stamp

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The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States, stretching 5,989 feet (1825 m) over the East River, connecting the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Upon completion in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, the first steel-wire suspension bridge, and the first bridge to connect to Long Island.

First jumper:
The first person to jump from the bridge was Robert E. Odlum on May 19, 1885. He struck the water at an angle and died shortly thereafter from internal injuries.

Two Large Postcard Trunks

On occasion, I am going to start posting some of the items I've bought that are postcard themed.  Here are two trunks that I use to store some of my postcard sets in.

Wales Alphabet Chart

Y Wyddor (The Alphabet)

with 'Letters upon stone Monuments in Wales 6th to 10 Centuries'

The Bethluisnion. (Ocham Alphabet)

Coelbren Y. Beirdd

the back reads:

Siart yr Wyddor a luniwyd gan T.C. Evans, Cadrawd, tua 1900

An Alphabet Chart devised by T.C. Evans, Cadrawd, c. 1900

the sender writes:

The Welsh language is still spoken as a first language in parts of North Wales.  I am trying to learn it (very slowly!)  but find it hard to pronounce some of the sounds not used in English, like 'll' and 'dd'.  They are quite throaty!

postmarked in 2010 from Wales with a Great Britain train stamp

Saguaro Cactus on a Car in Arizona

Arizona

The saguaro cactus, found in the deserts of Arizona, can weigh approximately 100 pounds per foot. This cactus weighed 10,000 pounds.

Photo Nathan C. Stodghill

unused, given to me in 2010, but the card is older than that
(Please note the background - it is an insurance company! - I hope the owner of this car had some :)

Meggopolis, Colour Labyrinth, Architect of Air

Meggopolis

Colour Labyrinth 32m X 26m X 9.5m

Design - Construction - Touring

Alan Parkinson - Architect of Air

postmarked from Portugal in 2010 with a Portugal 0,80 stamp

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Architect of Air:

Visitors remove their shoes before passing into the airlock. Once inside they can wander freely or just lie back and enjoy the ambience of the structure. 

The initial reaction is often one of delight at the unexpected beauty of the light.

The radiance of the daylight transmitted by the coloured pvc of the luminarium is surprising in its luminosity and makes a direct impact on the senses. 

Through labyrinthine tunnels and cavernous domes, visitors move in a medium of saturated and subtle hues. Vivid reflections of liquid colour spill across the curved walls creating a world apart from the normal and everyday.

No two visits to a structure are alike as the atmosphere inside alters according to changing weather and changing light outside. The experience is also affected by how the public inhabits the luminarium. It is a paradox that such a stimulating environment can simultaneously be so calming.  Many people find the luminaria a place for rest or meditation.  

Rubber Ducks

Two Rubber Ducks

postmarked in 2010 with 4 Great Britain stamps, two blue, one purple and one green

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A rubber duck is a toy shaped like a stylised duck, and is generally yellow with a flat base. The yellow rubber duck has achieved an iconic status in American pop culture and is often symbolically linked to bathing.

Jim Henson popularized rubber ducks in 1970, performing the songs "Rubber Duckie" and "DUCKIE" as Ernie, a popular Muppet from Sesame Street. Ernie frequently spoke to his duck and carried it with him in other segments of the show.  On a special occasion, Little Richard performed the song.

In 2001, The Sun, a British tabloid newspaper reported that Queen Elizabeth II has a rubber duck in her bathroom that wears an inflatable crown. The duck was spotted by a workman who was repainting her bathroom. The story prompted sales of rubber ducks in the United Kingdom to increase by 80% for a short period.

Here are the words to the song:

Rubber Duckie, you're the one,

You make bathtime lots of fun,

Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of you;

Woo woo be doo

Rubber Duckie, joy of joys,

When I squeeze you, you make noise!

Rubber Duckie, you're my very best friend, it's true!

Doo doo doo doo, doo doo

Every day when I 

Make my way to the tubby

I find a little fella who's 

Cute and yellow and chubby

Rub-a-dub-a-dubby!

Rubber Duckie, you're so fine

And I'm lucky that you're mine

Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of you.

Every day when I 

Make my way to the tubby

I find a little fella who's 

Cute and yellow and chubby

Rubber Duckie, you're so fine

And I'm lucky that you're mine

Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of -

Rubber Duckie, I'd like a whole pond of -

Rubber Duckie I'm awfully fond of you!

Doo doo, be doo

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, Vermont

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, Vermont

A aerial view of the home of Ben & Jerry's Vermont's Finest ice cream and frozen yogurt.  See how ice cream is made in our fun factory tour.  The tour, scoop shop, gift shop and grounds are open year round.  

Photo: John Goodman

postmarked in 2010 with a 32 cent stamp

the sender writes:

This tour was short, but worth the trip.  They have a cemetery for retired ice cream flavors.

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In 1977 lifelong friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield completed a correspondence course on ice cream making from the Pennsylvania State University. On May 5, 1978, with a $12,000 investment the pair opened an ice cream parlor in a renovated gas station in downtown Burlington, Vermont. In 1979, they marked their anniversary by holding the first-ever free cone day, now a nationwide annual celebration.

In 1980, Ben and Jerry rented space in an old spool and bobbin mill on South Champlain Street in Burlington and began packing their ice cream in pints. In 1981, the first Ben & Jerry’s franchise opened on Route 7 in Shelburne, Vermont. In 1983, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was used to build “the world’s largest ice cream sundae” in St. Albans (city), Vermont; the sundae weighed 27,102 pounds. 

Bruce Springsteen 'The Boss'

Bruce Springsteen, New York City 1992
Photograph by Herb Ritts

unused, bought in 2010

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Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949), nicknamed "The Boss", is an American singer-songwriter. He records and tours with the E Street Band. Springsteen is widely known for his brand of heartland rock infused with pop hooks, poetic lyrics, and Americana sentiments.

Springsteen's recordings have tended to alternate between commercially accessible rock albums and somber folk-oriented works.
His most successful studio albums, Born to Run and Born in the U.S.A., show is love for finding grandeur in the struggles of daily life in America, and the latter album made him one of the most recognized artists of the 1980s within the United States.

He has earned numerous awards for his work, including twenty Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award.

Crater Lake, Oregon

If you look at the clouds, you can see they are the same picture. One is postmarked in 1988 and I bought the other in Oregon in 2010. (I didn't realize I had the other one already!) The first card (2010) is printed in the USA and names the photographer, the second (1988) is printed in Italy and there is no mention of who took the picture.

Crater Lake National Park

Oregon

Wizard Island is on the left and the Phantom ship is at the bottom in Crater Lake.

Photo: Craig Tuttle

unused, from 2010

Published by Smith-Western, Inc. Made in America

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Wizard Island on the left and the Phantom Ship on the right in crater Lake as seen from the air. - postmarked in 1988 with 15 cent Buffalo Bill Cody stamp

Published by Smith Western, Inc. for ItalCards, Printed in Italy

Bridge in Kazakhstan

The bridge over the river Ulba

This was written on and then sent in an envelope. It is very hard to get postcards from Kazakhstan so I removed the stamps from the envelope and used archival safe glue and attached them to the back of the card. Sent in 2010

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- Kazakhstan is believed to be the country where man first climbed on a horse, thousands of years ago.

- Smoked sausages made of qazy (horse meat) are a specialty of Kazakhstan.

Harley-Davidson Stickers Postcard

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada

Harley-Davidson Motorcycles

This unused postcard was bought in Las Vegas at the Harley-Davidson store for $2.95 in 2010.

The circles on the postcard are stickers! The back has the traditional lines for an address and the stamp. I went to three Harley-davidson stores asking if they had postcards before I found one that did - Yep, it was worth the hunt :)

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Harley-Davidson often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression.

Holland - Photo Calendar Postcard from 2009

Holland 2009 Calendar postcard

unused

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Holland is a name in common usage given to a region in the western part of the Netherlands. Moreover, the term Holland is frequently used to refer to the whole of the Netherlands. This usage is unofficial and while generally accepted, it has caused a number of people from the Netherlands to complain.

From the 10th century to the 16th century Holland proper was a unified political region, a county ruled by the Count of Holland. By the 17th century, Holland had risen to become a maritime and economic power, dominating the other provinces of the Dutch Republic. Today, the former County of Holland consists of the two Dutch provinces of North Holland and South Holland.

Mount Doom, um, I mean, Mount Ngauruhoe

Mt. Ngauruhoe
Central Plateau New Zealand

Mt Ngauruhoe with Mt Egmont/Taranaki on the distant west coast horizon.

This postcard was postmarked in 2010 with two New Zealand stamps

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Mount Ngauruhoe is an active stratovolcano in New Zealand. Although seen by most as a volcano in its own right, it is technically a secondary cone of Mount Tongariro.

It erupted 45 times in the 20th century, most recently in 1977.

There are several possible explanations for the mountain's name. The most plausible is Nga Uru Hoe, meaning "throwing heated stones".

In the early 2000s Mount Ngauruhoe was used as a stand-in for the fictional Mount Doom in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, achieving worldwide exposure.

The Princess Legend of Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Princess Legend

A legend is told of a terrible sickness that threatened the Multnomah people. An old medicine man revealed that the sickness would pass if a maiden threw herself from a high cliff on the Big River to the rocks below. When the Chief's daughter saw the sickness on her lover's face, she went to the cliff and plunged to her death. Now, when the breeze blows through the water, a livery stream separates from the upper falls. The misty stream fashions a form of the maiden, a token of the Great Spirit's acceptance of her sacrifice.

Multnomah Falls

The illustrious Multnomah Falls are located 30 miles east of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Photo: Charles A. Blakeslee

unused, bought in 2010

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Multnomah Falls has drops in two major steps, split into an upper falls and a lower falls. The total height of the waterfall is 620 feet (189 m). It is the tallest waterfall in the State of Oregon.

The bridge you see is the Benson Footbridge, a 45-foot (14 m)-long footbridge that allows visitors to cross above the lower cascade.

Child from Kuwait

The back reads

Kuwaiti hand made

The stamp you see on the front 'State of Kuwait' is part of the picture.  

postmarked in 2010 with a great stamp from Kuwait of a girl weaving

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I was very excited when I opened my mailbox and found this postcard!  What a great looking kid on my first postcard from Kuwait :-)

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The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab emirate situated in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, and Iraq to the north. It lies on the northwestern shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the Arabic "akwat", the plural of "kout", meaning fortress built near water.  The emirate covers an area of 17,820 square kilometres (6,880 sq mi) and has a population of about 2.7 million.

Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government, with Kuwait City serving as the country's political and economic capital. The country has the world's fifth largest oil reserves and petroleum products now account for nearly 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income.  It is classified as a high income economy by the World Bank and is designated as a major non-NATO ally of the United States.

Exaggeration Postcard, Big Rabbit in Texas

"Only in Texas"

Saddling Up Big Jack. It is not unusual to break these big fellows and use them for ranch work here in Texas.

Postmarked in 2010 with a 28 cent stamp

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It is so hard to find Exaggeration postcards! I was very happy to have someone send me this one :)

Golden Khokhloma from Russia

The following translation was sent for this postcard:

Golden Khokhloma from Semenov is the soul of Russia!

on the back of the card:

Nizhegorodskaya oblast (Nizhegorodian region), gorod (town) Semenov.

Postmarked in 2010 with two Russia stamps

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Khokhloma or Khokhloma painting is the name of a Russian wood painting handicraft, known for its vivid flower patterns, red and gold colors over the black background, and the distinctive effect on the cheap and light wooden tableware or furniture, making it look heavier, metal-like and glamourous.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

A world-class destination! Charlotte Amalie, named for a Danish Queen is the capital of the United States Virgin Islands and the most famous cruise port in the Caribbean. Emerald hills set as a backdrop to the white and pastel houses, old Danish warehouse buildings and the first class shopping area add to the enchantment of this lovely destination.

Pirated Thyme-Mustard Sauce

3 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves - 1/4 cup Dijon-style mustard - 3/4 cup heavy cream - 1/8 tsp. white petter - In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Before serving, warm the mustard sauce in microwave until it is hot.

unused

From a set of 12 postcards called:

Cruising the Caribbean (each card also has a recipe on the back)

inside the folder holding the card it reads:

Pristine beaches, tranquil shady palm trees, tropical warm breezes and a laid-back lifestyle make the islands of the Caribbean relaxing, enchanting, enticing, entertaining, and inviting. Thousands of visitors arrive to one or more of the many Caribbean islands each year to find their perfect sun-kissed vacation destination is the one they will never forget.

The Caribbean has it all!!

Photos 2005: Werner J. Bertsch (he did a great job!)

Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon

Built in the late 1930s, the National Historic Landmark sits at an elevation of 5,960 feet (1,817 m), within the Mount Hood National Forest and is accessible through the Mount Hood Scenic Byway. It is a popular tourist attraction, drawing more than a million visitors annually. It is noted in film for serving as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining.

Mt. Hood, Oregon - Timberline Lodge in Spring

Image#28959

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two interior views

left: "The Grand View Window"

On a clear day, see spectacular Mt. Hood from the Main Lobby, Timberline Lodge. The window is framed by handmade drapes woven between 1975 - 1977 duplicating the spirit of the original 1930's WPA designs. Hand carved Ramshead table and wrought iron light are part of the historic furnishings.

Photo by Dwaine Sieler

Right: Lobby Scene

Lantern Press Original Poster

Image#31126

A snow covered Timberline Lodge and Mt. Hood on a clear Winter day.

Photo: Dan Sherwood

postmarked in 2008 with a 27 cent 'Papaya' stamp

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Here is the hotel on a Historic Preservation stamp from 1986 - unused USPS postcard

If you have seen the exterior of the hotel in the movie The Shining with Jack Nicholson, it is the Timberline Lodge!

God Bless Our Firemen

"Mickey and the Firefighter"
by Charles Boyer

unused, bought in 2010

Canada's Immigration Museum, Pier 21

Canada's Imigration Museum

Pier 21

Pier 21, the last standing immigration shed in Canada has reopened as a national historic site. From 1928 to 1971, Pier 21 served as the principal arrival point for immigrants seeking new freedoms and opportunities in Canada.

All thee are printed by the Postcard Factory and mailed in 2010 with a Canada 100 Flower stamp

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Pier 21 currently holds 2,000 stories, 500 oral history interviews, 700 donated books, 300 films and thousands of archival images and scans of immigration and WWII documents. Many of the resources can be found on the website and all can be accessed by contacting Pier 21’s Scotiabank Research Centre.

World's Largest Ball of Paint, La Quinta

Greetings From Route LQ (Hotel chain La Quinta)

This gives a whole new meaning to "Paintball Fight."

World's Largest Ball of Paint

At a circumference of over 80 inches, this is not only the biggest ball of paint - it's the only one. Two brothers started with a baseball and added over 22,300 coats of paint. Visitors are invited to choose a color and paint their own layer onto the ball. Why not?

Alexandria, Indiana

Nearest La Quinta: approx. 19 miles

With over 780 Locations, La Quinta Inns & Suites is everywhere you travel.

postmarked in 2010 with a 32 cent 'Space Discovery' stamp

Boba Fett, Star Wars

Boba Fett

unused, bought in 2010

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Boba Fett is a character in the Star Wars fictional universe. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to find the Millennium Falcon, he is a major villain in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) establishes Boba Fett's back story as a clone of Jango Fett, a bounty hunter who raises Boba as a son.

Fett's air of danger and mystery have created a cult following for the character, who has been merchandised across multiple media.

In 2008, Boba Fett was selected by Empire magazine as one of The 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time. He was also included on Fandomania's list of The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters.

Swazi Warriors, Swaziland, Africa

Swazi Warriors - Southern Africa

Four members of the Inkhanyenti regiment at Engabezweni with Mt. Mdzimba, burial site of Swazi kings, in the background.

postmarked in 2010 from South Africa with two great South Africa stamps