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