Six Flags Over Georgia

Atlanta, GA.
SIX FLAGS - "The Mind Bender" - only triple loop ride in the U.S. (2.5 million dollar roller coaster).

April 19, 1984
Atlanta, Georgia

"Enjoying a good vacation but it's too cool and rainy. Helen & Kenneth are up home this week. They are getting a new Pontiac at Thorpe's to-day..leaving their old one for Milton. I was up with Bubbles last week-end, and will do the same this week-end. Home on the 27th." Don

Heavy Stuff from Champaign

Ferdinand Leger (1881-1955) Yellow Flowers in a Blue Vase

October 27, 1965
Champaign, IL

John,
"Talking to you makes me feel so happy. Completely relaxing - and removes what Paul Young calls my "bitterness", i.e. the cynicism that comes out of disgust. But after talking to you, I live in an aura of happiness that lasts quite a while. Really, just thinking about you suffices if I'm not real tired. Took a nap last night after classes and woke up naturally think about you (which is a marvellous way to wake up) and the combination changes my whole perspective from one of confusion and disgust to optimism." LOTS OF LIKE - Claire.

Cavalier et Cheval
Peinture japonaise anonyme du XVII siecle

November 2, 1965
Urbana, Illinois

"YOU, SIR, DISTRACT WAY TOO MUCH OF MY ATTENTION. However - except for peculiar occasions you do not obsess me - just the quite frequent thought of you adds great delight to my day - BUT this evening, well really every two minutes is not conducive to productive study." (Signed with a heart)

I debated about posting these. Such personal notes really belong in a performed envelope, not on simple post cards, let alone on the Internet in a frivolous weblog. Everything about these cards amazes me. It's hard to believe that a college student would write in such reflective and analytical tones. In some ways, the messages to John almost seem suffocating. I wonder what happened.

The Shamrock

THE SHAMROCK - 414 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Ultra-modern, ocean front apartment hotel near Broadwalk and Bandshell. Offering luxurious comfort in an atmosphere of informal refinement. Apartments accommodate 2 to 8 persons. Daily, weekly, and monthly rates. PHONE 2-0252.

February 9, 1957
Daytona Beach, Florida

Hi,
"Enjoyed the drive down w/Ag, Eliz, and Wes B. We're staying here while Ag and Eliz continue a trip through the state. It's 80 degrees and the beach is lovely."
Best to all, Harriet.

A well cultivated farm

Greetings from Hunter, N.Y.
"I know few things more pleasing to the eye....than a well-situated, well-cultivated farm." -Edw. Everett

March 31, 1964
Hunter, New York

Dad. "We finally got the heat on OK!! We also have a saw. We will call the telephone co. today. Its cold as heck up here! The kids here have school now!" See you, Love, Barbara.

I can't confirm that this, but the quote may be attributed to Edward Everett (1794-1865), a Whig from Massachusetts who became the president of Harvard and Secretary of State under Fillmore. Another claim to fame is he gave a two-hour Gettysburg Oration in 1863 that was eclipsed in history by Lincoln's two minute Address. (Wikipedia)

The Thunderbird Lodge

THUNDERBIRD LODGE - EUREKA 5TH and Broadway Eureka, California 95501 Located in downtown Eureka, California, the "Heart of the Redwood Empire" at Broadway, between 4th and 5th streets. (Highway 101 North and South). - 15 minutes from Eureka Airport. Restaurant, heated swimming pool, T.V. radio, direct dial telephone, and automatic coffee makers.

Unused post card, circa mid 1960's. Several Thunderbird motels still exist. Check out some great images at All Things Thunderbird

Coca-Cola Pavilion

The Coca-Cola Pavilion
The Coca-cola Tower, rising from the court of this pavilion, features the world's largest and finest electronic carillon. The pavilion also features a unique, free "Global Holiday'" the U.S.O. Lounge and the American Radio Relay League.

Unused post card from the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York. I found very little information about the Pavilion, and no photographs of the actual building. The carillon was moved to Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

Laughing Water - Circus Circus

Laughing Water - Smiling clown face welcomes sun-lovers to sparlking pool at Circus Circus Hotel/Casion/Spa, mid-way on Las Vegas Strip. Carnival games and 13 hours of free circus acts daily, plus lavish gaming casino, variety of restaurants and snack bars, shops, convention facilities and 800-room luxury hotel provide full family recreational facilities at Las Vegas' most unique resort complex.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hi,
"We are having a great time. Very hot 110 degrees and getting hotter. We sat next to 'Tommy' on 8 is Enough on the plane. We went boating, lost the anchor. We are going to see Tony Orlando tonite." See you soon, Love Linda.

I wonder how many small kids were terrified to jump in the water here. And where exactly do you go boating in Vegas anyway?

Port Austin, Michigan

July, 1907
Port Austin, Michigan

"Rec'd your post card some time ago. I am getting along pretty well so far. Have not upset the barrel yet. Tell your father I will write perhaps next week." Sincerely, J.R. Kay

On the front:

"This is one of Port Austin's residences, I play tennis on this lawn quite often. Ees dees not nice haus?"

This is one of the oldest cards I have. Prior to 1907, post cards were designed to only allow messages on the front, with the back reserved for the address. This card straddles that change in design, as the back is designed for both message and address, but the sender chose to write on both sides. The message on the front contains some pseudo-German in the last sentence.

Sarasota

Unique Garden Center with Chamber of Commerce Building in foreground
Sarasota, Florida

January 23, 1969
Sarasota Florida

Dear Maurice, "Greetings from Sarasota. Despite occasional rain all well. Anything new regarding examiner's audit. Hope you were able to compromise and avoid contest. Did you get away yet? Hope Horty okay." My Best,

The message and address were typewritten; very unusual for a post card.

Christmas, 1910

German Post Card

December 20, 1910
Tampa, Florida

Dear Friends,

"Only a card for Xmas greetings. Hope you are all well. I have been here 3 weeks. Mr. G prospecting in New Hope. He will get here by Xmas. I have a cold like Grippe. Weather fine, but cool for Fla. Ned's folks pleasantly located here. Boys growing fast in school. Beattie still remembers Mr. Green's folks, can hear all about you all." Best love to you all, J.H. Earhart.

I love this card, written in flowing fountain pen. You just don't hear much about prospecting and the Grippe anymore. Happy Holidays!

Swedish card, via NY World's Fair

Solnedgang, Fjallbacka

June, 1965
World's Fair, New York

John,
"World's Fair is great fun. Everyone around seems to be enjoying themselves. I bought some souvenirs for you- not very exciting. This is from Sweden exhibit. This morning saw Verranzano-Narrows Bridge. It it as beautiful as I expected. Had dark beer in German Beer Garden. Wish you were here." Claire


This postcard is imported from Sweden and was purchased at the Fair by the sender. Card has a nice World's Fair stamp.

Hello from Wildwood

Wildwood, New Jersey

August 6, 1988
Rio Grande, New Jersey

Hi Paula,
"The weather is great, sunny and hot. How's everything in Rockaway? It would be great if you were here! Well time to head to the beach I'll call you Sat. when I get home." See you soon, Tim

Two facts about Wildwood:

1. There is a tremendous collection of vintage motels and Doo-wop architecture in Wildwood, however they are threatened by the development of newer, larger hotels.

2. Rock Around the Clock, often credited as the first rock and roll record, was first performed on Memorial Day weekend in 1954 at the HofBrau Hotel in Wildwood by Bill Haley & His Comets.

Hotel Muscle Shoals

Unused postcard, dated circa 1950. These generically made black and white photocards are intriguing. This one was made by the W. M. Cline Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and almost looks like a shot taken shortly after construction was completed.

Muscle Shoals is known to music fans as the location of Fame Studios, where a slew of 60's and 70's soulful rock classics were recorded.

Pensive in Cape Cod

Distributed by E.D. West Co., South Yarmouth, Cape Cod, Mass.

August 22, 1955
Hyannis, Massachusetts

Dear Norman,

"Some friends were going up here & I came along (almost two weeks ago) as I felt that certain things were getting the best of me & I could do nothing about at the time. Will be in touch with you as soon as I get back. I don't have the Weldsteins add. please send my regards." Sam

99% of the used cards I have are innocuous little 'wish you were here' missives. A few though are very personal notes that make you wonder about the people and the circumstances. The front of this card ranks right up there on the list of worst poems ever written. Poor Sam.

The Good Life

La Bonne Vie
3475 South Ocean Blvd. (AIA) Palm Beach, Florida 33480
Palm Beach's Finest Luxury Condominium Residence. 275 feet private beach, Swiming Pool, Saunas, Game and entertainment rooms, Coffee Shop. Phone: 305-582-9017

September 11, 1968
West Palm Beach, Florida

Dear Moe:
"We are enjoying ourselves living at the above address- You should do the same. Kindest regards. Best Wishes for the New Year." Diane and Bert

Looks like the sender tried to indicate the unit they lived in on the cover, then thought better of it. Dig that swinging lobby! Constructed in 1967.