Postscripts from The Postcard Emporium

Genealogy List - Hammes, Price, Bruer,Hinkle, Glick, Kneuper,

2011-05-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

Today's list of Genealogy Names include:

Mr. Will Hinkle
Bloomfield, Kentucky

In 1912 he received this sweet Valentine from a Mrs. J.U. Hoke. and in 1918 he received a nice postcard of the High School in New Albany, Indiana from Ama Wood.

Miss Ira Glick
Berne, Indiana

Miss Glick was sent a very attractive embossed hunting scene.

Alma Bruer
Morocco, Indiana
c/o E. Triplet Farm

Alma was sent a postcard of the Big Four Railroad Station located in Kankakee, Illinois in 1913.

Mr. Dustin Price received another transportation postcard, the mid century streamlined Union Pacific Bus Depot in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This linen card also shows the bus!

Mr. Dustin Price
2574 Pinkney Street
Omaha, Nebraska

Mr. G. Kneuper
263 64 Broadway
New York City, NY

Received this Easter Themed Real Photo Post Card Sample from The Rotograph Company.

Today's last entry of Genealogy Names is:

Miss Flo Hammes
Rome, Wisconsin

She was sent a postcard showing the Pittsfield High School in Massachusetts.

Genealogy List - E.T. Burkhart, R.L. Bodkin, Helen Stout

2011-05-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

Today's list of ancestors waiting to be reunited with their family are:

Miss Helen Stout
McCune, Kansas

Helen was sent a postcard posted in 1912 from Orangeville, Illinois of the Freeport Carriage Company.

Mrs. R.L. Bodkin
113 Crofton Ave.
San Antonio, Texas

I have three cards today which were sent to Mrs. Bodkin. Clyde from Muskogee, Oklahoma posted cards in 1912 of the Muskogee High School and the Dr. F.B. Fite Residence. Nila, (or Noila) sent a card showing the Brushy Creek in Yoakum, TX.

Mrs. E.T. Burkhart
Ramona Apart.
Long Beach, California

Jessie sent Mrs. Burkhart a postcard in 1910 of the Knights of Pythias State House in Springfield, Ohio.

Postcards and Genealogy - Hamilton, Barkley, Roam

2011-05-03T08:40:00.001-07:00

Postcard messages from the 1900's were very much like Twitter is today. News of births, deaths, illness and yes even the weather was noted in these brief missives. Day to day events are pure gold to genealogists and those interested in genealogy so today I start my daily log of names and addresses in hopes of helping you connect with your past.

Today's listings include postcards sent to:

Miss Amy Hamilton
809 E. Jefferson St.
Kokomo, Indiana

James Barkley
Sandusky, Wisconsin

Charles Roam
Rushville, Indiana

Miss Amy Hamilton received this postcard of the Heisen Building in Chicago, Illinois. Finished the summer of 1912, John D. was sure to point out the wireless apparition on the top, no doubt a novelty to residents of Kokomo, Indiana.

Handcolored Postcard of Memorial Church at Stanford University in California

2010-08-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today I want to feature a beautifully done handcolored postcard of the Memorial Church, located at Stanford University in Stanford, California.

This post card was made by The Albertype Company of Brooklyn, New York and published by the Stanford Book Store of the Stanford University.

Hand painted post cards were popular during the early part of the 20th century. These cards were usually done as piece work by women, unbeknownst to them the work had its dangers. As artist do to obtain a sharp point for the fine detail work, they frequently place the brush between their lips and twirl the brush until the desired point is obtained. Little was known about the dangers of the lead in their paint, no doubt endangering the health of the postcard painter.

Today's Genealogy Name

From a 1947 postcard addressed to:
Miss Leonor A. Field
Health Department
Riverhead
Long Island, New York

Edward H. Mitchell

2010-03-03T07:19:00.000-08:00

I have always enjoyed postcards published by Edward H. Mitchell. Who can resist the amusing exaggerated postcards of huge fruit going to market on their Southern Pacific Railroad Cars or the subtle studies of an object whether it be a flower or statue?

A prolific publisher, Edward H. Mitchell brought the beauty of the Pacific Coast, the excitement of the World's Fair Expositions, the wilds of Alaska and the exotic and tropical beauty of Hawaii way before these states were a twinkle in Uncle Sam's eye. Can you imagine what a thrill those in the Midwest received when they received the above card? I know the thrill of an alligator pulling my children around would certainly put the California Alligator Farm on my list of places to visit!

Edward Henry Mitchell was born April 27, 1867 in San Francisco, California. He was a tall man for his day standing six feet three inches. Primarily a businessman Mitchell besides publishing postcards also dealt in real estate and oil well leasing.

Edw. Mitchell was the first lithographing establishment in the country to give workmen an eight hour day and paid his men as much in one week as overseas workers were receiving in one month. He was noted as saying "money is paid to American workmen who spend it at home and keep it in circulation." All postcards printed after 1908 proudly proclaim 'Printed in the United States' on their backside.

Edward H. Mitchell gave up postcard publishing around 1923 and died from a heart attack in Palo Alto, California on October 24, 1932. He left behind thousands of views of the early statehood and in some cases pre statehood years of our Western States.

Even if you have no interest in postcards, I urge you to take a look at Edward H. Mitchell, Publisher of postcards extraorinaire.

Sambo's Restaurants Picture Story Series Postcards

2009-07-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

Once Upon a time.....

This is how the story card to a set of 8 postcards telling the tale of a little boy who outsmarts 4 tigers begins. This could also begin the story of these interesting postcards and the restaurant behind them.

Back in 1967, two entrepreneurs, Sam Battistone and Newell Bonette also known by his friends as Bo decided to open a restaurant. Instead of naming their new enterprise "Sam and Bo's" they combined their names and the first Sambo's was opened. Well known for their family friendly atmosphere and low prices, the couple quickly found their restaurant a success.

Shortly after opening the restaurant, the couple heard of a children's story written in 1899 by Helen Bannerman. The short story, Little Black Sambo, was about a little boy who loses his fine new clothes to four tigers. The story tells the tale on how he regains his property by wit and cunning. The tigers in a fit of rage, end up running around a tree until they liquefy themselves into a pool of butter. Sambo's mother than turns the butter into stacks of pancakes.

The restaurant owners thought this was a perfect theme for their restaurant, especially one that was known for their hearty breakfast of delicious pancakes! Using the artwork from the book the restaurateurs established their business with the Little Black Sambo theme.

Years and lawsuits later, the chain wanting to become politically correct and avoid offending their customers decided to change their main character Sambo. The original Sambo of the children's story appeared to be of the Negroid race and was thought to be racially insensitive and a stereotype of the African descent people. The new Sambo was made to look more Asian and from India.

To promote their new decor the chain offered among other merchandise a set of 8 standard size postcards. They cost 35 cents for the set and came in a wrapper for mailing. Because not all of the restaurants carried these cards and this was during the time period when most restaurants offered their postcards for free, the supply was limited and the set today is considered scarce and highly collectible. This set of postcards are available in my store The Postcard Emporium.

Now for those of you who have never read the original story I would like to offer for your enjoyment, Little Black Sambo, written by Helen Bannerman in 1899.

The Party Line

2009-07-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

The stereotype of women being the only gender who enjoys a bit of gossip is one of the reasons I just love this postcard. The artist; John Morton, captures a bit of grin after the old man hears some juicy news and the name The Party Line is perfect.

Before World War II, most people who had telephone service in their homes were part of a party line. You would share a line with up to twenty people, each having their own "ring." Because this line was shared anyone on the same line could pick up their receiver and listen in on the conversation.

This postcard was reproduced from the October Cover of the Successful Farming Pub. Company of Des Moines, Iowa in 1914. A mainstay in most farmers homes the magazine featured new farming and animal advances, and for the ladies recipes and the latest home decorating trends. As was the custom of the day, postcards were given as small gifts or premiums with the added advantage of advertising their product.

I thought this postcard would be a great image for a vintage contact page so I scanned the card at 300 PPI for good resolution and then cleaned it up on Photoshop, this image is free for you to use and enjoy.

Dewey Readmore Books Postcards

2009-07-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

Earlier this summer I finished reading the book Dewey The Small - Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron.

If you haven't read the story of the little kitten who stole the hearts of the Spencer Iowa Public Library patrons, not to mention the whole world than I would highly recommend you do. It is a short book and easily read in a few sittings but a story that will capture your heart and long be remembered.

After reading this sweet story I just needed to find out more about this extraordinary cat and found that Dewey has a Wikipedia page, a facebook page and is even on YouTube! In fact, Variety reported the news that New Line Cinema is planning a movie staring Meryl Streep as the librarian and author of the book, Vicki Myron.

As a special treat for postcard collectors, the Friends of the Spencer Library are selling Dewey Readmore Books Postcards with proceeds generated to aid in purchasing items for the library not covered by their budget. The postcards are all of Dewey in four different poses, each card is $1.50. This to me was a win - win situation, I am able to have a set of postcards featuring Dewey AND help the Spencer, Iowa Public Library!

The Fresno Hacienda Barmobile

2009-03-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I attended the Spring Dallas Metro Postcard Show and Sale and found this interesting postcard featuring the Fresno Hacienda barmobile. This post card sparked my curiosity and I had to find out more information on a resort who provided their guests with such a unique service. Sadly, little was available on the web about the Hacienda's history but I was able to find some interesting pictures and information on its present condition and a blog from its cu rrent owners.

The Fresno Hacienda, located Highway 99 at Clinton Avenue just north of Fresno, was once a renowned resort which boasted of being the World’s finest and largest convention motel. The finest dance music, food and floor shows including celebrities such as Nat King Cole were provided nightly and their famous Sunday Smorgasbord and daily Chuck Wagon kept their guests mouths watering and their stomach’s happy.

The Hacienda, was one of four properties owned by Standard Motels, Inc., with the others located in Paradise Nevada and Bakersfield and Indio California. All of the resorts featured the Horse and Rider sign which can be seen in the background of the featured Barmobile postcard.

As the Barmobile electrically drove around the motel’s entire 11 ½ acres providing parched Fresno Hacienda patrons liquid refreshments, it played the melody “How Dry I am” that dear readers is what I call customer service!

This postcard along with many others featuring the state of California may be found in my web store The Postcard Emporium.