Victorian Style Halloween Postcard

With Best Wishes for Halloween

postmarked in 1906 with a one cent stamp
the sender writes:

Dear Lillian - You are a dandy to visit Jackson and not come and see me.  You better hadn't do it again or I will come over and spank you.

With Love,
Maud

(for the record, I wouldn't want to go visit anyone either who threatens to spank me!)

Hell in Grand Cayman Islands

Greetings from Hell, Grand Cayman, B.W.I.

"Go to Hell". See the wild formation of rocks that look like hell with its bottomless pits. Send a cards from Hell or just pose with the devil. "Hope to see you in Hell" - Grand Cayman Islands.

postmarked with a 20c 'Best Wishes' Cayman Islands stamp in 2008

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Hell, Grand Cayman is a group of short, black, limestone formations in the northwest Grand Cayman town of West Bay. It is roughly the size of half a soccer field, and people are not allowed in amongst the limestone formations; two viewing platforms exist for tourists. There are numerous versions of how Hell received its name, but they are generally variations on "a local official exclaimed, 'This is what Hell must look like.'"

Regardless of how it first came to be called Hell, the name stuck and the area has become something of a tourist attraction, featuring a fire-engine red hell-themed post office from which you can send "postcards from hell", and a gift shop with 'Satan' passing out souvenirs while greeting people with phrases like 'How the hell are you?' and 'Where the hell are you from?'

It is also claimed that the name "Hell" is derived from the fact that if a pebble is thrown out into the formation, it echoes amongst the limestone peaks and valleys and sounds as if the pebble is falling all the way down to "Hell."

Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)

Bran Castle
Castelul Bran

Postmarked in 2010 with three Romania 1,00 L vase stamps

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Bran Castle, situated near Bran and in the immediate vicinity of Braşov, is a national monument and landmark in Romania. The fortress is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. Commonly known as "Dracula's Castle", it is marketed as the home of the title character in Bram Stoker's Dracula.

There is evidence that Vlad Tepes actually did use the castle during his raids into Transylvania.

The castle is now a museum open to tourists, displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Tourists can see the interior individually or by a guided tour. At the bottom of the hill is a small open air museum park exhibiting traditional Romanian peasant structures (cottages, barns, etc.) from across the country.

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Vlad Tepes - (Face you see at the bottom of the postcard) (November 1431 – December 1476), more commonly known as the Impaler or Dracula, was a three-time ruler of Wallachia, ruling mainly from 1456 to 1462.

Historically, Vlad is best known for the cruel punishments he imposed on his enemies. (Impalement was his favorite choice of execution)
In the English-speaking world, Vlad III is perhaps most commonly known for inspiring the name of the vampire in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula.

M&M Candies

Catching Rays in Las Vegas (how would she be catching rays if it's night time?)

M&M Characters with
Metallic background

all bought in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2010

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In 1995 M&M's introduced computer animated "spokescandies" in their television commercials. These include the team of the cynical and sardonic "Red" (originally voiced by Jon Lovitz, thereafter Billy West), who is the mascot for milk chocolate M&M's, and the happy and gullible "Yellow" (originally John Goodman, thereafter J.K. Simmons), who is the mascot for peanut M&M's. Other mascots include the "cool one", Blue (originally Phil Hartman, thereafter Robb Pruitt) for almond; the seductive Green (Cree Summer) for peanut butter, mint, and dark chocolate (Green is the only female M&M's mascot); and the slightly neurotic Orange (Eric Kirchberger) for other types of M&M's in general, who was initially not named after his color (for a time when he was introduced, he was known as Crispy due to his being a mascot for the Crispy M&M's, which debuted around the same time.)

Picking Coconuts in Jamaica

Picking Coconuts

"Time out" to pick refreshing coconuts in Jamaica, W.I.

Photo by T. A. Dexter

the sender writes:

This is the first and only post card I've sent - I'll be curious to see how long it takes to get to you. 

We're now in Savanna La-Mar on the South Coast - it's 90 degrees, lush, colorful and gorgeous.  I don't want to return to Cambridge.

Take Care,

--

PS The scene on this post card is real.

Kinderdijk, Holland

Holland - Kinderdijk

postmarked in 2010 with a Netherlands stamp featuring ladies hats

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Kinderdijk is a village in the Netherlands in the province South Holland, about 15 km east of Rotterdam.

It is situated in a polder (low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments known as dikes) where the Lek and Noord rivers meet. To drain the polder, a system of 19 windmills was built around 1740. This group of mills is the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands.

The windmills of Kinderdijk are one of the best known Dutch tourist sites. They were placed on the list of UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.

Working Woman's Kitchen Prayer

Working Woman's Kitchen Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for mealtime help ...
Spaghetti sauce in jars,
Premixed casseroles in boxes, breakfast squares and bars,
For instant puddings and potatoes,
Gravies, soups and teas,
For frozen meals... especially those with fewer calories,
And, Lord, when there's no time to cook
To still those hunger pains,
Thank you for the miracle of all those fast-food chains.

 Hallmark Postcard

Unused but has 1987 on the back

City Hall, Guayaquil Ecuador

Ecuador - Palacio Municipal, Guayaquil
(Guayaquil City Hall)

unused, real photo postcard

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El Palacio Municipal holds the political offices of city and provincial officials. A building of the neoclassical style, it is considered one of the most important architectural works in the country.

Hotel Northampton and Wiggins Old Tavern, Massachusetts

Loom Room in the Country Store
Hotel Northampton and Wiggins Old Tavern at Northampton, Massachusetts

An Inn of Colonial Charm
Lewis N. Wiggins, Landlord

unused

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The history of the hotel begins with Lewis Wiggins, an entrepreneur who had a great interest in preserving the Colonial Revival theme when constructing the Hotel Northampton in 1927. An integral element of Wiggins' concept was to achieve museum status for the hotel's furnishings, and to this end he acquired antiques both for the hotel and for his own collection. Many of these antiques still grace the hallways, restaurants, and lobby. The collection was added to daily, and by 1937 Wiggins employed a full-time antiquarian curator with a staff of up to 15. Two staff members were assigned only to mingle with the guests and discuss the hotel and its antiques.

Some 141 years earlier in 1786, Benjamin Wiggins, a direct ancestor of Lewis Wiggins, opened Wiggins Tavern in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. During the Tavern's time, Benjamin Wiggins established a reputation with both travelers and area residents for the finest food and spirits in the region.

Lewis Wiggins eventually decided to move the old tavern to the Hotel Northampton. Meticulous attention to detail was taken in reassembling the tavern in its new home. Carved paneling, hand-hewn beams, and stone and brick hearths were all carefully reconstructed. Antiques from both the original tavern and from other parts of New England were painstakingly collected to finish the restoration of the interior. Today, the tavern is much as it was over two hundred years ago when Ben Wiggins greeted his guests at the door and served them his famous American fare and baked goods.

Through its 200-year history, Wiggins Tavern has been host to visitors from all over the world. Among the many travelers who have stopped here for a relaxing meal are Eleanor Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. More recently, guests have included Tom Crusie, Stephen King, Nicole Kidman, Tim Robbins, Wynton Marsalis,  and Leonard Nemoy.

Torronsuo National Park in Finland

 Syysaamu (Autumn Morning)


photo: Perti Volanen / Vastavalo

postmarked in 2010 with a Suomi Finland Torronsuo National Park stamp with almost the same image

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Torronsuo National Park is a national park in the Tavastia Proper region of Finland. Even before its declaration as a national park in 1990, the near-natural state swamp area was a protected area. Its area is 25.5 square kilometres (9.85 sq mi).

The park area is a typical ombrotrophic (cloud-fed, aka rain not river) raised bog. The turf layer is one of the thickest measured among Finnish bogs, locally extending to 12 metres (39 ft).

Torronsuo is valuable for its birdlife and butterfly species. Roughly a hundred species nest in the area.

Postcard Flower Vase

This was my first item that I bought that had postcards as the design and set me on the hunt for more!
I was looking at Christmas decorations in a store and this was in the clearance section behind me.  I don't remember if I found what I was looking for, but I did find this treasure for my collection.

Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devil - Looney Tunes

unused, from 2010

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Robert McKimson based the character on the real-life Tasmanian Devil. The most noticeable resemblance between the Australian marsupial and McKimson's creation is their ravenous appetites and crazed behavior. Although the Tasmanian Devil's appearance does not resemble the real animal, it contains multilayered references to other "devils": he has horn-shaped fur on his head (similar to the Devil's appearance) and whirls about like a dust devil (similar in appearance to a tornado) which sounds like several motors whirring in unison. Taz is constantly hungry and devours everything, animate or inanimate. His efforts to find more food are always a central plot device of his cartoons.

Here is a postcard of a real Tasmanian Devil .....

From Australia -
with stamp on front - from 2008

Tunis, Tunisia, Africa - Hilton Hotel

Tunis Hilton
Belvedere Superiur
Tunis (Tunisia, North Africa)

250 Air conditioned rooms, various restaurants, bar, convention & banqueting facilities, swimming pool & private beach.

Stay With People Who Care

postmarked within the US in 1974 with a USA 10 cent stamp

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This is now called the Sheraton Tunis Hotel & Towers


Tunis is the capital of the Tunisian Republic with a population of 1,200,000 in 2008 and over 3,980,500 in the greater Tunis area. It is Tunisia's largest city.

It is situated on a large Mediterranean Sea gulf (the Gulf of Tunis).

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma

 Oklahoma

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is located in a mountainous region of breathtaking views.  Here you will find stunning wildlife viewing opportunities to see bison, elk and even herds of wild Texas longhorn cattle.

Photo: Laurence Parent

postmarked in 2010 with a 28 cent stamp

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Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, located in southwestern Oklahoma near Lawton, has protected unique wildlife habitats since 1901 and is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service system. Measuring about 59,020 acres (238.8 km2), the Refuge hosts a great diversity of species: 806 plant species, 240 kinds of bird, 36 fish, and 64 reptiles and amphibians are present. 

Foley's Department Store, Houston, Texas

The New Foley's, Houston, Texas

The country's most modern Department Store, covers a Block and a Half in the Heart of Houston's Business District, at Main and Lamar.  The Main Building, Six and a Half Stories and Basement, is connected by Tunnel with a Five-Story Service and Garage Building in the rear.

unused from 1947

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Foley’s was a chain of department stores owned by May Department Stores and headquartered in Downtown Houston, Texas. As of August 30, 2005, the division was dissolved and operation of the stores was assumed by Federated's Macy's West and Macy's South divisions. On Sept 9, 2006 Foley's and all the regional May Co. stores names were phased out and rebranded as Macy's.

Foley’s started in 1900, but the above building opened its doors on October 20, 1947. They spent $13 million to build the new store, which was heralded by the press as the nation’s “most modern department store.”

Orangutans

 Keep cool!


postmarked in 2010 with two Germany stamps

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The orangutans are the only exclusively Asian living genus of great ape. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage. They are generally not aggressive and live a mostly solitary life foraging for food. Their hair is typically reddish-brown, instead of the brown or black hair typical of other great apes.

Vegemite from Australia

 I wrote his name on my toast in vegemite.

Then ate it.
Miranda, 24

postmarked in 2010 with an Australia Centenary of Powered Flight, plane stamp

the sender writes:
Greetings from Australia.  Vegemite is a (foul tasting) spread that many Aussies like to eat on toast, crackers and sandwiches.  It is very similar to marmite, or so I have been told.  I cannot stand the taste of it!

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this is an Australian advertising postcard from 12 words . com.  write a story with 12 words.

Herfstasters, Painted by Mouth!

Herfstasters


Met de mond geschilderd (Painted with the mouth)

postmarked in 2010 with 5 Netherlands stamps, 2 with children's art and three with the number 5 on it.

I can't imagine being able to paint like this, let alone paint it using my mouth!

World's Largest Ball of Stamps - La Quinta

Greetings From Route LQ (Hotel chain La Quinta)

Think They Licked Each One?

World's Largest Ball of Stamps
Remember when people used to send letters in the mail?  Long before E-mail and the Internet, the Boys Town Stamp Collection Club began creating the world's largest ball of stamps.  Beginning in 1953, they collected 4,655,000 cancelled stamps and rolled them into a 32-inch, 600-pound ball, which is still on display today.  Why did they do it?  According to the staff's secretary, "It must have been a particularly cold winter."
13628 Flanagan Boulevard
Boys Town, Nebraska

Nearest la Quinta: 4 miles

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

unused, from 2010

Frog Stamps and Postmarks on a Postcard

Frog stamps with postmarks 

postmarked in 2010 with a Suomi Finland Frog stamp!

New River Gorge Bridge - West Virginia

 New River Gorge Bridge


The Bridge is considered the "Western Hemisphere's longest single span steel arch bridge" and is part of US Route 19.  Located near Fayetteville & Lansing, West Virginia, this area of the New River is known for white water rafting and flows under The New River Gorge Bridge.

Photo: Frank Cerevalo

postmarked in 2010 with a 28 cent stamp

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The bridge is the centerpiece of Fayette County's "Bridge Day", during which the bridge is closed to vehicular traffic. This festival includes demonstrations of rappelling, ascending and BASE jumping, and is held every October on the third Saturday. Bungee jumping has been banned from Bridge Day since 1993.

BASE jumper Brian Lee Schubert, 66, of Alta Loma, California, died during Bridge Day 2006 (October 21) when his parachute did not open in time. His death was the first that occurred during BASE jumping at the New River Gorge Bridge Day Festival since 1987, and only the third ever. One other BASE jumper was killed while performing an illegal, non-Bridge Day related jump.

The bridge is within the New River Gorge National River and the National Park Service operates a visitor center at the northern end of the bridge with scenic overlooks and a staircase that descends partially into the gorge.

The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza

postmarked in 1955 with two Egypt stamps

the sender writes:

Perhaps tomorrow I might be riding one of these camels.  We have a lovely group.  So far I am alone in my bedroom.  At this hotel I have 2 twin beds and have been kidded lots by the gang.  Will have a room mate in Jerusalem.  We are having a grand time.  I have cast off all my cares, know my Saviour will work things out. 

Love my honey,

--

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The pyramids of Giza are truly a marvel of architecture. The three largest pyramids located in the valley consist of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Kafhre and the Pyramid of Menkaura. Each Pyramid is a tomb dedicated to a different king of Egypt.

All three pyramids were built during the Third and Fourth Dynasty; these structures resulted from a monumental effort by the king (and his sons). The Pyramid of Khufu has a base which covers roughly a nine acre area (approximately 392,040 square feet). The Pyramid of Menkaura, unlike the other pyramids, has granite covering one tier of its base. The Pyramid of Khafre had a two-tiered base encased in granite.  

I Want To Grow Up NOW

Mina Haluan Isoksi NYT!

(I want to grow up NOW!)

postmarked in 2009 with a great metallic Suomi Finland 'candle' stamp

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Sunset on the White Sands

By all means, visit the White Sands at sunset!  The feeling of mystery, the quietude of the great expanse of snow white sands, the golden sunset turning at its last moments to rose and violet as darkness finally closes in.  Then the day is gone, leaving this great bulk of whiteness still visible thru the shades of night.

unused

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Ripples of the White Sands

The 176,000 acres of crystallized gypsum which comprise the area known as the "White Sands" are blown into ripples and dunes, while the vegetation struggles thru in a fight for existence.  In the interior of the area, where drifts are extremely high there is no vegetation of any kind.

unused

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The White Sands National Monument - New Mexico
6-T-27

unused real photo postcard

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The White Sands National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located about 25 km (15 miles) southwest of Alamogordo, New Mexico, at an elevation of 4235 feet (1291 m). It is a field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals.

Gypsum is rarely found in the form of sand because it is water-soluble. Normally, rain would dissolve the gypsum and carry it to the sea. Since the Tularosa Basin has no outlet to the sea, rain that dissolves gypsum from the surrounding San Andres and Sacramento Mountains is trapped within the basin, and the rain either sinks into the ground or forms shallow pools which subsequently dry out and leave gypsum in a crystalline form, called selenite, on the surface. Weathering and erosion eventually breaks the crystals into sand-size grains that are carried away by the prevailing winds from the southwest, forming white dunes. The dunes constantly change shape and slowly move downwind, covering the plants in their path. Some species of plants, however, can grow rapidly enough to avoid being buried by the dunes.

Cowboy Trail Bath - Texas

Texas

Cowboy trail bath

Photo: David Stoecklein

postmarked in 2010 with a 28 cent stamp

The sender writes:

What you don't see is the windmill that has provided the water.  We had tanks on the dairy farm where I grew up.  You could raise the biggest gold fish in them.  The cattle would drink water and leave a bit of food for the fish.  This tank is on a ranch.  You have to provide water for the cattle.  We don't have lakes that stay full!  It's pretty dry country.