Curt Teich Publishing Co Marketing Sampler

A Curt Teich Publishing Co marketing sampler for postcards in the form of a postcard folder distributed to the hospitality industry - hotel/motels, restaurtants, bars and the like - to encourage them to stock the company's postcards for sale or as giveaways to guests: (Click on images for full view)

The Holland Tunnel by Automobile, New York City, circa 1920s

The Holland Tunnel already looks to be congested in the 1920s. No wonder they had to take ferries too...

Skating Down at the Empire

It's Saturday night! Let's go skating down at the Empire in Brooklyn New York. Linen postcard dated 1944.

The Monon Railroad - The Hoosier Streamliner Leaving Chicago

circa 1940s or 50s linen postcard, Curteich publisher.

The Monon Railroad's "The Hoosier" pulls out of Chicago on its run south to Indiana, the Hoosier state.

Wireless Communication, Radio-Style

Listening to a couple of "oldies" talking the other day, I recalled how wireless had a different meaning to people in the first half of the twentieth century, and maybe a few decades beyond that. "Wireless" meant radio. The conversation I was listening to was between "ham" radio operators who used to contact others via short wave radio. The hobby still survives but is much reduced in numbers as what was once a major exercise, but a thrilling one - long distance wireless communication - has since become mundane with the advent of the likes of Skype etc. Short wave operators issued their own postcards to confirm they had made contact with other "hammies" around the world.

The postcard above, of course, is not of ham radio operators but a World War II signal team using radio in the field, reminding us of the importance of the wireless in military operations. Its use extended to civilian industries such as marine shipping, aviation, and commercial radio. The radio set in the home for receiving news and musical entertainment was usually simply referred to as "the wireless"

Mailbox Mystery Solved!

Ever wonder what happens to your mail once you put it in the mailbox?

Yesterday, everything fell into place. It's all in the cards, as the say...

Motor Cycle Sidecar Mounted Machine Gun, circa World War I

With all the unpleasantness on the roads these days, with road rage and the like, sometimes I feel obliged to pack a little extra heat. The "lemon squeezer" hats are real head-turners too. (click image for full view).

Bell Line Motor Coach Bus postcard, circa 1920s

Time to hit the road... in a Bell Line Motor Coach providing interstate bus service up & down the West Coast. Just 30 1/2 hours between San Francisco, CA and Portland, OR. Mapquest advises I should be able to drive that trip in 10 hrs 19 mins today. Click image for larger view.