Miss Lena Frey lived in Grand Rapids, the prosperous city on the Grand River in west-central Michigan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Rapids,_Michigan
We have seen other postcard stories related to Grand Rapids:
“The Boys Are Having a Good Time”, “Meet You at the Lake on Thursday”, and “Happy Easter to All”.
In November of 1911, Lena received a postcard from Chas.
The postcard was mailed from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and the largest city in Scandinavia.
This region, where Lake Malaren meets the Black Sea, has been inhabited since the Stone Age.
The modern city stretches across fourteen islands, and another archipelago extends eastward from the city.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm
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The face of the postcard is a hand-colored photograph of Drottningholm Palace, historically a favorite summer residence of the Swedish crown.
This structure, constructed on an island near Stockholm in 1662, replaced earlier royal buildings.
A history of Drottningholm (“Queen’s Isle”) is shared below – the significant events that occurred here and the architectural marvels that have been embellished through centuries are too numerous to describe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drottningholm_Palace
Unfortunately, this postcard suffered enormous damage in the international mail.
The image of Drottningholm was badly marred by a stamp that was applied or was pressed against the face while the ink was still wet.
I corrected digitally the most obvious destruction, but close examination of the architecture will reveal how much errant ink disfigures the photograph.
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On the reverse, Chas has typed his message – which is brief and business-like:
“Dear Folks;
Arrived here just two weeks ago this morning,
a very nice place, will write you soon,
Rain all the time
Chas,”
The typed message lacks any clues about the reason for the visit to Stockholm, any reference to how Chas is occupying his time, any anticipated return to his family.
That he was using a typewriter suggests that he filled some position in an office or communication business.
One hopes that the visit was profitable for Chas and that he regaled his folks with travel stories for many years.
