“The Happy Hearts Club” – circa 1940
October 18, 2025
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This cheery postcard was not mailed, so there is no personal story attached to it. Printed in the “linen-style”, the postcard was published by the
Postcard Categories
“Don’t Spill Any” – Comic Postcard (circa 1940)
August 15, 2025
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This postcard was not mailed; there is no personal story attached to it. My first thought upon seeing it in a box of vintage paper
“A Sliding Board from Sunday School” – circa 1940
July 25, 2025
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Barbara was celebrating her birthday. She received a congratulatory postcard from her Sunday School teachers and classmates. The postcard must have been presented to her
“The First Riding Lesson” – Fred Harvey Advertisement (circa 1940)
July 23, 2025
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In earlier postcard stories we touched upon the dramatic career of Fred Harvey who began his career as a restaurant worker in New York and
Fuel for a Million Cars!” – West Texas (circa 1940)
April 24, 2025
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Oil has been found in multiple rock layers underlying most parts of Texas. Since ancient times, oil seepage on the ground was used by indigenous
“America on Wheels” – The Roller-Skating Craze (circa 1945)
April 24, 2025
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From the late ’30’s until the late 50’s, roller skating was the most popular participatory sport in the United States. During this period, many teen-agers
Pennsylvania Roadside Plantings – “Beauty View” (circa 1940)
November 22, 2024
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Before highway embankments were covered with “crown vetch” or other fast-growing cover foliage, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania planted a variety of ornamental trees and flowering
Sheep in York County – circa 1940
October 9, 2024
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This lovely rural scene is identified as York County, Pennsylvania. York County, in south-central Pennsylvania remains a significant agricultural center. I identified this postcard as
Strawberry Season -Switzerland (circa 1940)
June 16, 2024
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This still-life painting, of a plate of strawberries, is the perfect complement to the warm days of late Spring. At the farmers’ markets, the vendor’s
Remembering Sacajawea – Bismarck, North Dakota (circa 1940)
May 13, 2024
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When Thomas Jefferson completed the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the entirety of this addition to the new United States was largely unknown. France needed money
A View From Peters Mountain (circa 1940)
January 24, 2024
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Peters Mountain is a peak (1190 feet) of the Appalachian Mountains on the east side of the Susquehanna River in northern Dauphin County, PA. The
“Er Kommt” – Art of Ludwig Blume-Siebert (circa 1940)
April 18, 2023
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For this day of waiting and preparation on the Eve of Easter, I found this art postcard by a German painter. Ludwig Blume-Siebert was born
A Monument to the Spanish-American War – Hagerstown, Maryland (circa 1940)
April 7, 2023
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The Spanish-American War does not loom large in American consciousness today, but it represented an enormous shift in American identity. Many discussions of the conflict
Mount Rainier from the Train – circa 1940
March 20, 2023
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In other postcard stories, we have looked at the role of railroads in the promotion of natural wonders – especially in National Parks. This linen
The Municipal Airport – Reading, PA (circa 1940)
March 13, 2023
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The city of Reading, and Berks County, began planning an airfield in 1934. The airport was completed in 1938 and dedicated in 1939. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Regional_Airport During
The Clipper Ships of Pan Am – circa 1940
February 28, 2023
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The story of Pan Am, once the largest and best-praised airline company in the world, is inherently interesting. The role of the clipper aircraft is
Shenandoah National Park – circa 1940
November 30, 2022
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This long sliver of wilderness, along the Shenandoah River between ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was created as a National Park by Franklin Roosevelt
“Liberty and Justice for All” – circa 1940
October 27, 2022
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On July 4, we recall the noble aspirations of our nation. We don’t always live up to the high standards we espouse, but we are
Escape to Sun Valley, Idaho – circa 1940
May 20, 2022
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While we are quarantined at home, the prospect of a railroad journey to a scenic retreat has great appeal. This linen postcard was published by
Laurel Falls-Great Smoky Mountains
October 11, 2021
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Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – circa 1940 The Great Smoky Mountain National Park was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in
Swift’s Premium Meat
August 20, 2021
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It is interesting to note how large food companies have promoted their health, safety, and quality procedures through the early 20th century. Many advertisements for
In Praise of Forests
July 9, 2021
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In Praise of Forests – circa 1940 Come to the woods, for here is rest.” ― John Muir Pennsylvania (“Penn’s Woods”) was once covered entirely