Friday, November 2, 2012

all things bright

It has been rainy and overcast for several weeks now. Dull and Dreary.
So I was pleased to find these overly bright prepaid postcards at the post office. I still haven't figured out how each outlet decides whether to stock such cards, and every one I have come across have had different ones, which makes the search that much more fun.

in addition, I found this postcard from 1980 at the postcard show I went to last month.
I loved the bright colours, and the unopened bud at the top.
by artist Willyum Rowe

9-28-80
Here's a bouquet of flowers for you. Susan bought this card & others in Boston.
Polly is not coming home this weekend. First she's missed in 6 mos. She will be working at her block assoc. P_____ Fair.
Did you see Jasper John's flag painting that the Whitney just bought for $1 million?!
Love to auntie, from Billie

this last comment had a whiff of the scandalous to it, so I had to look up the painting (see link here)
at the time, it was the highest amount ever paid for a work of art from a living artist.

then I had to look up Hornell, NY as the card was addressed to a M E Sims at
Green Acres 51 
Hornell NY 14843
there is a Green Acres Mobile Home Park in Hornell established in 1965. then with a little more sleuthing (some might call it nosiness) I discovered a Gertrude Sims Callaghan obituary (just to tie in my postcards and gravestones) who was for "many years hostess at the Hornell Country Club".  she died at age 98 in 2000 leaving behind daughters Bonnie and Billie and was "predeceased by a sister, Mary Elizabeth Sims of Hornell". a little more nosiness sleuthing and I discovered that Billie's husband recently passed on at age 87.

I feel I've had a rather productive day! this is the most information I have ever found from a random postcard picked up in equal parts because of the pretty picture and the address. the card is that much more meaningful now.


If it is dreary where you are, I hope these flowers brought a little brightness to your day.


12 comments:

  1. What gorgeous bright post cards! People don't seem to send postcards much these days, I suppose they just send photos on their phones. Seems a pity.

    But they cheered my day, thank you!

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    1. When you look at the messages on some of these cards, they really don't say much beyond a variant of "I just wanted to say hello".
      of course, long distance phone calls were prohibitively expensive 40+ years ago and the stamp on this card was only 10¢

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  2. Those are really beautiful post cards. I have an old post card my grandfather brought home form Japan in WWII - I keep meaning to find someone to translate what's on the back.

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    Replies
    1. the translating from Japanese and Chinese is so frustrating...
      but how neat that you have one from your grandfather (mine are all from strangers)

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  3. They are lovelies! You must come across the most interesting inscriptions.

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    Replies
    1. you would be surprised how mundane some of them are!

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  4. wonderful flower post cards. the colors are grand. so much fun wondering about the people *behind* these marvelous cards. Your sleuthing was well done and you had a story to tell us. Happy PFF!

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    Replies
    1. I was thrilled to find out this info (and I hope they don't mind)

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  5. What a great piece of sleuthing! I tried a little some time ago but was contacted recently by the family to say I had it all wrong! :)

    Love the bright flowers, just what we need at this time of year.

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    Replies
    1. now, I worry about being contacted... not sure how they would accept it. but how fascinating - even if you did get it wrong!

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  6. The postcards are fabulous and the info you gleaned is so fascinating. What fun to read a bit of history!
    Hugs
    SUeAnn

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    Replies
    1. I was surprised how easy it was to find all this out, though I suspected that MES was no longer with us since I have a couple of cards addressed to her.

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