A Royal Box Of Bones

This beautiful postcard came from Postcrosser Henneke in the Netherlands. She tells me this is the famous "box" that contains the bones of Charles the Great, King of the Franks. She noted the bones were placed in this elaborate box 15 years after his death in 814. This had to be one whale of a box. By some accounts, successive emperors opened and reopened his coffin. Otto III found his remains some 200 years later uncorrupted still seated on a thrown still holding his scepter. Obviously, it was a tight seal.
During his life, Charles expanded the Frankish kingdom to into an empire that incorporated much of what is now western and central Europe. Charles reign saw the flowering of western culture and art.

The Revolution Is Complete

This 3x5 inch postcard shows the starting field of the 1965 Indianapolis 500-Mile Sweepstakes. The eventual race winner, Scotsman Jimmy Clark, is in the middle of the front row. He is flanked by defending champion A.J. Foyt, on the pole (right) and Dan Gurney (left).

THE REVOLUTION WAS SEALED ON THIS DAY

This was the first year that a rear engine car won the 500 mile race. Since 1911 the front engine roadster-style cars were the vogue. The rear engine revolution was now complete and there was no looking back.

The rear engine was brought to Indy several times. The first was in 1937 by Lee Oldfield, a maverick engineer. The car failed to qualify. There were a few others but the revolution began in earnest in 1961 with Jack Brabham's Cooper-Climax, a modified Formula I racecar. Compared to the traditional front engine roadsters, the Cooper was a tiny car with a small engine compared to the roadsters of the day but because of superior handling finished a respectable ninth its first time out.  Despite this top ten finish, the rear engine car's finish was seen as a fluke by most, though others could see the future was in the rear end.

Seeing the writing on wall, American Dan Gurney paid famed English car builder Colin Chapman to attend the 1962 race and arranged for him to meet with the Ford Motor Company executives. He returned to England with a contract to build three rear engine cars powered by an aluminum Ford engine for the 1963 race. Jim Clark drove one of those to a strong second-place finish. By 1965 27 of the 33 cars were rear engine. Fourteen were Ford-powered rear engine cars and they took nine of the top ten spots. People soon began to refer to the front engine cars as dinosaurs.

A YEAR OF FIRSTS
Besides the first win by a rear engine car, this was a years of other firsts. Notable among them was the first year since 1916 the race was not won by an American. It was the first year the race was televised live by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC's Wide World of Sports). It was also the first year the racecar's gas tanks contained a thick rubber bladder with a low-density plastic foam so that if the tank was ruptured the fuel spill and splash would be minimized. This safety feature was added following the previous year's worse fiery accident in the speedway's history (another first). This seven car accident claimed the life of rookie Dave McDonald and veteran racer Eddy Sacks. The deaths and injury to other drivers in this conflagration led to several safety related changes at the speedway, such as less volatile fuels and limits on fuel capacity in cars.

"Grand Prix" postcard advertisement

This postcard is an advertisement for the movie Grand Prix. My mother, and later myself, worked for a cinema theater company near Detroit, Michigan, which showed the film after its release in 1966. I think it opened first in Michigan at the Summit Theatre in Detroit, which is printed in large letters on the lower reverse side. The reverse side's top inscription reads: "The International Star Cast of "GRAND PRIX" photographed at the finish line of the Monza motor racing circuit in Italy. An M-G-M presentation in CINERAMA."



Among the international stars of the film are American James Garner, Italian Yves Montand, Chinese Toshiro Mifune, English Brum Bedford and French actress Francoise Hardy. Actual Formula One drivers Phil Hill, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, and Jack Brabham made cameo appearances. The movie follows four Formula One fictionalized drivers through a race season. The movie won Academy Awards for best sound effects and film editing. It was one of the ten highest grossing movie of 1966. In 2006 the film was released in DVD version.

As far as racing movies of that era go, I prefer "Le Mans," starring Steve McQueen. It was not popular at the box office but it captures the tension and all-consuming passion of a race car driver. Le Mans was worth the admission just for the one quote from McQueen's character, Michael Delaney, who said, "When you're racing...its life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting." To hear the quote, go here. The film is an explication of this quote.

Rio's Christ on High

This post card was sent by Luiz, a Postcrosser from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He wrote a very promotional note on the back that gave a lot of cultural-geographic background in the smallest script I've ever seen. He obviously loves his city of birth. He describes Rio as a "...city high on life, a city of beaches, football , samba and Carnival." I can't wait to go there. It is on my top ten cities list. If I take in a football game, I'll consider wearing my Nomex underwear and gas mask. Those celebratory flares can get hot and smoky. (See the football video link above. The samba video sizzles too.)

High above the city stands the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Completed in 1931, it stands 38 meters (120ft) and is perched on Corcovado peak 700m (2,300ft) above the crowded metropolitan area of 11.8 million. Though it is a large statue an impressive atop Corcovado, its appeal comes from its pose. It is a cross triumphant -- a statue that hints at the cross but emphasises the grace filled Christ -- the one who forever stands with arms open to all.

Crucified Jesus Sold on Auction Block

Like an empty Easter tomb, this sculpture of Christ has disappeared.

This post card shows the crucifixion scene, one of more than 30 biblical scenes, once known as the Biblical Gardens in the Wisconsin Dell's area. The statues were carried away by an army of evangelical youth in the summer of 1997. The 3/4 scale to life sculptures were bought by the Commission on Youth Services and WELS Lutheran's For Life. The groups planned to use the biblical scenes for publicity photos, videos and dramatic displays. All the statues were purchased for $5,000 dollars, according to WELS.

Here you can find one man's account of carrying off the statues, including Jesus on the cross.

This card, published by Dells Photo Service of Dells, Wisconsin, is one of thousands documenting the tourist attractions, both natural and man-made, that awaited families from the American Midwest. The photo credit goes to John A. Trumble. The card locates the Biblical Garden sculptures between Wisconsin Dells and Lake Dalton, Wisconsin, on Highway 12. The area is a popular summer vacation destinations for residents of Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.

Petoskey's Underwater Crucifix

There is one crucified Christ that endures each Easter submerged in the icy waters of Lake Michigan. Only once a year is he saved from obscurity and curiously that is usually around Valentine's Day.

Few know or will tell you where the underwater crucifix is located but it lies not far off shore from the Northern Michigan city of Petoskey. It is west of the city's picturesque waterfront waterfall, several hundred yards off shore. Despite the development and beautification of Petoskey's waterfront in the past 20 years, the location of the underwater crucifix is not marked. If you can find a local willing to tell you where it is, you can either view it by rowing a boat over it on a calm day or don scuba gear in the summer and dive to it.

The best time for viewing is winter. Once a year, usually around Valentine's Day, volunteers clear a path across the ice to the location. A hole was cut in the ice and lights placed underwater to illuminate the crucifixion in the dark waters this past year. You can find out more about the underwater crucifix by reading this article in the Petoskey News-Review, the local daily newspaper.

The crucifix was first submerged in 1962 and moved to its current location in the early 1980's. It is dedicated to all who have perished in the water. It is believed to be the only submerged crucifix in fresh water.

Indian River's Crucified Christ

In April I am featuring a few post cards of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. To begin, I recall a site near my former home in Northern Michigan -- the 7- ton bronze cast of the crucified Jesus that hangs from a 55-foot tall redwood cross in Indian River, Michigan. I remember visiting the gift shop there but not the massive cross. I bought this card there. Why I didn't visit the cross is lost in time, thus another mystery.

The cross, located in the Cross In The Woods Catholic Shrine, was erected in 1954. The sculpture was created by Marshall M. Fredericks and added to the wood cross in 1959. The sculpture measures an impressive 22 feet wide and 31 feet high.

An impressive picture of the crucifix, taken from beneath the sculpture, can be seen over at Scott Richert's Catholic Blog.

Each year thousands of people visit The Cross In The Woods, not only to view the stunning crucifix but also to attend outdoor Mass. On the grounds one can visit the All Faiths Gift Shop, statues of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Peregrine (the Cancer Saint), Our Lady of the Highway and the 14 Stations of the Cross.

The grounds are also the site of the world's largest Nun Doll Museum.

To see the doll museum click on these links: http://www.crossinthewoods.com/museum.htm and

http://www.fishweb.com/maps/cheboygan/indianriver/shrine/page3.html

In 1964, Sally Rogalski's donated 230 dolls to the Shrine with the only instruction, "that no admission charge would ever be asked, so that people, rich and poor alike, would be able to see them". Sally wanted to document the traditional habits of American nuns to preserve the rich history of the Catholic Church and what were once every day folk dress of Europeans. Today the museum has 525 dolls.

Spring Flowers and Love Blossoms

Cherry Trees Bloom in April at the Jefferson Memorial

In Michigan the Cherry Trees Do Not Bloom till May

But Love Blossoms are Eternal in Montana

Jefferson Memorial post card is a Kodachrome Reproductions of L.B. Prince Co, Arlington, Virginia. Michigan Springtime post card is from Perrin Sourvenir Distributors of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Montana Double Date is a "Duckboy Cards" by Paul Stanton, PO BOX 86, Milltown, Montana 59851.

I had difficulty posting comments on this post so here are some comments:

Postcardy said: Thanks for linking to my Postcard Scavenger Hunt. I was suprised to discover (via Google) that there are several places besides Washington that have Cherry Blossom Festivals. I love that Montana card!

Outstanding Stranger said: Oh ho ho....I bought some Duck Boy postcards too.. they are very funny..The one I liked was a bunch of recked trucks..quote says "Truck Farm". The other one was a California Wine tasting...back yard style. Drinking wine out of a box. What was that link? Diane

Chris Overstreet said: To quote Robert Mitchum, "Life is more exciting in Montana."

Thinking of Spring

Though it will take some time to disappear, the ice and snow began melting today. I bought this card, post marked in 1908, last November at an antique shop in town. I was intrigued by its symbolism. The verse on the card is attributed to a "Mitchell. " I found this poet difficult to track down. Plus I'm having trouble with my eyes again and can't look at the monitor for more than half an hour at a time, so my research efforts were at best limited. If anyone knows or can track down this poet, I would appreciate it if you let me know.

This is the verse on the card:

But soon the icy mass shall melt:

the winter end his reign,

The sun's reviving warmth be felt,

And nature smile again. --Mitchell

The four lines seem to limit the image of this post card, which seems to be an image of the personification of spring. No doubt, a beauty, she huddles by an earthly fire. She peers at the birds, which seem to be gleaning crumbs from what could be the last of her winter stored grain. One foot is exposed to the elements, testing the air. The other is tucked into her scarlet dress for warmth. Alas, it is still winter and she will not yet dance.

I thought this image would make a transition from flowers to crucifixion, which will be my theme for April.

A Glass Rose

This post card is a photo of the South Rose Window of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. To the french, the cathedral is known as "Our Lady of Paris." It's south window, with its Mandela-like appearance, is a beauty yet the panels have undergone artistic changes over the centuries due to poor construction, damage from fire, vandals and war.

The original window was constructed in the thirteenth century, a gift from king Saint Louis. It is 12.90 metres in diameter and was dedicated to the New Testament, yet many of its scenes depict post-Testament saints and virgins. According to the cathedral's web site, the window symbolizes the Christ triumphant, reigning over Heaven, surrounded by a his earthly witnesses.

"A rose by any other name..."

The reverse side of this post card is dated July, 7, 1977, and post marked Paris, France. There is no attached stamp but rather a printed ink stamp.

One of my grandmother's church friend's, Hilda Van Norden, of Dearborn, Michigan, received this card from Henrietta. She wrote, "This is one of the most beautiful windows in the world." She goes on to say the trip was fine but plagued by hidden expenses "...(even for people who seem to have more)."

A One-Up-Your's Classic

"CURTEICHROM REPRODUCTION BY CURTEICK FK-3 FLORIDA STATE SERIES"

Though I am posting flower postcards this month, I thought this card might fit the season -- at least for those of us who still have snow on the ground this time of year.

This is a classic American post card theme. It is not simply a "wish you were here" card but rather a rub it in you face card. It is more like a good natured -- "I'm better off than you are" taunt.

Post marked March 12, 1968, the card was sent to my aunt and her husband in Detroit. The message reads, "Hi, Hot as all "hades" but a good breeze today. ______ still perched with the Sutton's & we gals get no better playing Canasta -- guess we will send for Winnie -- we eat better than playing cards -- ha! Mae and I thought Art and Verne looked exactly like Dean Rusk on T.V. -- ha! That was a shame to have (the) program ruined -- Best Gale & Matquetile (sic)."

I do not know what the ruined program was the writer referred to but at the time this card was written, Washington was abuzz about a rift in the Johnson administration over the Viet Nam bombing campaign. Rusk, one of the longest serving Secretary of States, was a stanch defender of the war amid growing opposition from members of the government and the public both at home and around the world.

Flower of Earth

This is one of the most beautiful portrait post cards I own. Unfortunately, the history of it is murky. I suspect, my grandmother's neighbor friends, who immigrated from Poland, brought this card to her, along with eight others of similar vintage, as a gift after a trip to the homeland. It was not written on or mailed.

The card is printed in Germany and is divided on the back. It has no other markings other than the 310/4 on the bottom right corner. The edges have a faded copper color which gives the dark background added depth.

The young model's expression is mysterious: calm and focused yet somewhat amused. Maybe mature beyond here years.

The flowered earth child against the dark background is akin metaphorically to those photos of the earth, taken from the moon, against the blackness of space. Both are flowers made more beautiful and precious contrasted against the dark void that surrounds both.

The colour photograph of Earthrise -

taken by Apollo 8 astronaut, William A. Anders,

December 24, 1968.

A Blooming Desert

This post card, showing desert cacti and flora in bloom, is an example of snail blogging. Before the Internet, post cards were passed between people as a way of sharing news and images from afar, not only to the addressee but to the addressee's friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

This post card was sent between two of my grandmother's church friends on February 24, 1972. The card was later given to her and she mailed it to me at university in one of her "care packages," -- a box containing cakes, candies and usually a few post cards.

This desert flower postcard was published by Bob Petley, a noted 1950's comic and Western publisher. The illustration was done by Larry Toschik, born in 1922. He illustrated books on Native Americans and is known for his illustrations published in Arizona Highways and Sunset magazines. Toschik also worked as Art Director for the Arizona State University’s Bureau of Publications.

Flowers: roses

This month my theme is flower postcards.

I recently picked this simple yet delicate beauty at a local antique store. It is embossed and hand painted. The stamp on the reverse side is dated by hand "11/30/07." The written message on the reverse side says: "Mary, if you go to preaching tomorrow come over this way and I will go along. I guess you will get a lot of postals today. From a friend, A.M.S." It is addressed to "Miss Mary Wilson, Route H.1."

I assume the card is sent to someone within a city because there is no city in the address. The addresser is assured that the card will be delivered by the time the addressee receives it. Today we pay extra for overnight delivery. So much for progress.

I wonder why the addresser guesses that Mary will receive "a lot of postals." What had she done to become so popular? It is likely we'll never know.

"What's in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet..."

From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race Winner

This is the sled dog team of Sebastian Schnuelle, winner of this year's 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. The photo was taken this morning on the Chena River in Fairbanks, Alaska, one mile from the finish line. The temperature was minus 2 Fahrenheit, ideal for dog mushing. Schnuelle's team of ten dogs are confidently passing by the Hamilton Acres and Island Homes subdivisions. The trees in the background are on the Fort Wainwright Army base. Schnuelle's team completed the race in a record time of 9 days, 23 hours, 20 minutes, the first nine day Quest race.

This is one of many photos I am considering making into a post card to commemorate the event.

A Canine Disagreement

In contrast to the peaceful resting fellows of the previous post, these two canines have issues. There may be a piece of meat between them that one chose not to eat but is nevertheless protecting. Or it could just be two males who can smell a female in heat up ahead in the line and they are "discussing" who might lay claim to her.

Note that the dog on the right is tethered by a tow line (longer) and the other dog gets a short neck line tether. It may be that the dogs in the previous post were less cranky because the straw focused their attention on rest rather than competing for a spot on hard-packed snow.

The caption on the reverse side suggests another scenario: "What do you mean, I didn't pull." While that's possible, usually a dog that is upset with another will not wait for the checkpoint to settle the score.

This postcard, dated 1994, was published by Leader Publications of Fairbanks, Alaska. An internet search did not turn up a Web site. The photographer is Vladimir Vinitzki. See another Vinitzki phototgraph at Picture.com.

Enjoying a day out with the dogs

The caption on the reverse side of this card states: "The sport of sled dog mushing is becoming a popular way to enjoy winter."

This was true in the early 1990's in Northern Michigan as several sled dog races were founded and many people began running dogs simply for the pure joy of riding the runners behind a team of panting huskies. Though sprint mushing (10-30 mile events) had been popular in both the lower and upper peninsula of Michigan for decades, the Upper Peninsula saw an explosive growth in mid-distance races (50-200 mile events), including Michigan's primier event, the UP200 and Midnight Run, run out of Marquette, Michigan.

This post card's picture shows my friend Dennis passing though the pine barrens near Marquette, Michigan, circa 1994. The photo was taken by Tom L. Porn. Dennis was out running his entire kennel -- eight very friendly and loveable Siberian Huskies. Dennis and family now live in Alaska and keep a small kennel of very friendly but roudy sled dogs. The lead dogs in the picture are Cassie and Raven.

Europa on choppy seas

This is not the German luxury liner, Europa, of today. Rather it is the SS Europa, built in the late nineteen-twenties for the Norddeutsche Lloyd line. She was one of two transatlantic passenger ships built for the German company. Her sister ship was the Bremen.

Both ships were designed to have a cruising speed of 27.5 knots. The ships were capable of weekly crossings in an era that required three weeks. On her 1930 maiden voyage she crossed the Atlantic in four days, 17 hours and 6 minutes. In doing so, she won the westbound Blue Riband, a speed prize, from her sister ship, the Bremen. Curiously she captured the record twice both on eastbound runs but never on the westbound crossing.


In 1945, Europa was captured by the allies and used as a troopship, sailing as the USS Europa. After the war she was given to the French for war reparation. In 1946, she broke free of her moorings during a storm, collided with the wreck of the Paris and sank. She was eventually raised, renamed the Liberté, and began passenger service to New York in 1950. She was scrapped in 1962.

Religious humor

I enjoy the tongue in cheek depiction of the apostle Peter's attempt to walk on water. The crowded row boat, complete with dangling oar, the disciples, depicted literally as sheep, most not paying attention, and the extra biblical addition of scuba gear on one who is willing to back him up, make this cartoon a hoot, yet conveys the story's intent: lack of faith.

The caption reads: "Ye...(of little faith)" which is a reference to the words of Jesus, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

I do not remember when or where I acquired this card. My best guess is the card was purchased in the late 80s, early 90's. I might have picked it up in Canada while traveling the Alcan Highway.

The reverse side has pricing in the U.S. (40 cents) and Canada (75 cents). The headliner has a verse from the Psalms. "Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice." The artist's signature in the lower right hand corner of the picture is unreadable. The card is printed with soy ink, so we might say it is a religious green card.

Frost flowers

"Mt. Fuji and trees with frost-flowers. Oshino Hamlet. (Yamanashi Prefecture)" is the label on the back side. The card was printed in Japan by the Nippon Kotsu Shuppan Company of Tokyo.

"Frost flowers" is a lovely phrase, isn't it?

I wrote the following three weeks ago before leaving town on an unexpected trip. In the haste of leaving taking and unable to access a computer while away, I was unable to post it until now.

This morning's dawn, around 10 am, came with deep cold (38 below zero f.) and a clear sky. Fetching my newspaper, the snow under foot crunched noisely. Paper in hand, I looked up into an azure sky to see the birch tree branches coated in delicate "frost flowers" and thought of this card. For decades it and other cards have lain burried in post card boxes, quiet as a dormant volcano, in the crawl space under the house. Like Mt. Fuji, most of its contents will remain quiet and undisturbed, except a few cards will "vent" in this blog.


The Fuji card was mailed January 4, 1971 to my great aunt from a Japanese friend who wrote a return address (unusual for a post card) from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. My aunt was spending the winter in Lecanto, Florida. Setsuko thanked my aunt for her "warm hospitality." She had spent the holidays with them and received chocolate fudge and jams which "grandma made." I'm not sure who grandma refers to. My great grandma had died by then. I suppose it could be my aunt's husband's mother but I never heard mention of her. Thus another mystery.



My aunt, no doubt, gave this card to her sister, my grand mother, to give to me. At the time I was a few months from high school graduation and had given up collecting post cards, yet it seemed I could not say no to a "gift" from grandma. She, her sisters and younger brother, among others, were co-conspirators in my post card collection. For decades their received cards were dutifully given to me. Only now do some tell the stories of people and events otherwise forgotten.