In earlier postcard stories, we met members of the Fryberger family:
“Meet Auntie at the Train” (1909), “Gruss Aus Hamburg” (1910), “Christmas Greeting from Sir Galahad” (1910).
Mrs. J. E. Fryberger lived in Philipsburg, a borough on the Moshannon Creek in Centre County of central Pennsylvania.
In 1907, the population of Philipsburg (about 24 miles northwest of State College, PA) was about 3500 – larger than the population today.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philipsburg,_Centre_County,_Pennsylvania
Mr. Fryberger was a prominent citizen – President of the First National Bank, a Director of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and a member of the Finance Committee for the (then) Episcopal Diocese of Harrisburg.
In May of 1907, Mrs. Fryberger received a postcard from a traveler, possibly her aunt.
The signature is very difficult to distinguish.
It appears that the writer was on a Mediterranean cruise; the postcard was mailed from Naples, Italy.
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The face of the postcard is a hand-colored photograph of “Alger – Palais d’Ete du Gouverneur” (Summer Palace of the Governor, Algeria).
This handsome residence was constructed on the heights of Algiers for Mustapha Khodja el Kheil, officer of the Dey of Algeria, between 1798 and 1805.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moustapha_Khodja
In 1830, as part of the European colonialization of Africa, France (then a Kingdom) seized territory in Algeria from the Ottoman Empire.
The process of conquest proceeded through 1847, although Algeria had never been an homogenous region and rebellions were brutally suppressed (some meeting the definition of genocide) throughout French Colonial Rule.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Algeria
In 1907, Algeria was a developed settler colony and an integral part of France.
The territory was legally divided into French départements rather than being managed as a separate colony.
After Algeria achieved independence in 1962, the Palace again became a residence, but is now the “People’s Palace” and used as a guest house and a site for ceremonial and cultural performances.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Palace_(Algiers)
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On the reverse, the writer begins her message without a greeting.
She reports, “A select party – the officials and L. – got into the Governor’s palace.”
L. “said it was magnificent”.
Unfortunately, the sender “was ill and could not leave the boat.”
The writer seems to have recovered; she is “around today , and will be ready for Naples tomorrow.”
The indisposition is linked to “oranges disagreed with me”.
Mrs. Fryberger preserved the postcard (with other family correspondence) in very good condition throughout her life.
One hopes the party touring the Mediterranean enjoyed their adventure and returned safely to their homes.
