BORING POSTCARDS

SOME HISTORIC BORING US POSTCARDS FROM MIM (with some unhistoric comments from Val).... thanks Mim!

1. River Room, Mt Vernon, VA

"Located in the heart of Colonial Virginia on the site of the home of Mildred Washington, aunt and godmother of our 1st President. We say with confidence ''George Washington really did sleep here''.

He snored.

2. River Room, Mt Vernon, VA

"The River Room contains a chair which came to America with the Mayflower or soon after. The bedstead was used by Washington in Penn in 1777. (He snored.)  In one of the window panes, more than a 100 years ago, Eliza F. Custis, one of Mrs Washington's grandchildren, cut with a diamond her name and date, Aug 2 1782, and it is here today."

Vandalism!

The writing on the front of the card  reads "This picture does not do justice to the room -- it is very quaint."

3. Old Wade House, Greenbush, Wisc

"The kitchen contains the only fireplace in Wade House. Sylvanus Wade wanted to go 'go modern' and install stoves throughout, but Betty insisted on a fireplace in her kitchen. Here the food was prepared for hungry travellers and the Wades' own large family. Over the mantle are the guns used to bring home game for the inn's table."

This Boring Postcard is possibly sponsored by the NRC

4. Scotch Town, Hanover, Co, VA

"Home of Patrick Henry -- 1771-78"

George Washinton didn't sleep here, although it has a fireplace -- but no guns. (Did Patrick only live for 7 years, or did he only live here for 7 years?)

FROM NATHALIE DE SIGEAN

1. An old fountain in Provence

And we can expect now Katerina to add a picture of the Old Fountains in Sigean, and maybe, if you are very lucky, the Old Fart at the Old Fountains

2. Very old Boring Postcard of the Jardin Publique in Sigean, and an interesting fact

About 10 years ago I met an elderly man who had formerly been a senior civil servant and a Professor of Administrative Law at one of the many Universities in Paris. He was born in Sigean -- in a house that is an occasional art gallery. He had with him an amzing collection of postcards of Sigean, including this one that was taken about 1925. He is the small boy with his mother. I know his daughter-in-law and his grandchildren, and have asked them what has happened to the postcard collection. They say it must be in a box in one of his apartments, but have no idea which apartment, or even what the box looks like. So the collection is probably lost for ever, alas

THREE MORE FROM MIKEL UNTZILLA (where does he find them all? you may well ask. I have no idea)

1. Costa del Ecuador

"Beatiful place known as 'La Coleta' in the town ofLibertad at Salinas Distriict of the 'Blue Coast' of Ecuador."

2. L'Avenue des Champs-Elysées et les Chevaux de Marly

I can only see one cheval, and no chevaux (but one of these vehicles may be a protoype Citroen 2CV -- about 20 years before they were ever seen in Paris)

3.Mirador, Benidorm, Spain

I have been to Bendidorm, but am not featured in this Postcard. In fact nothing much at all is featured in this Postcard. Which makes it a truly Boring Postcard. Thanks Mikel!

TAKE A VERY DEEP BREATH BEFOR YOU LOOK AT THIS BORING/INTERESTING/HORRIBLE POSTCARD OF SOME BEARDED OLD BLOKE WHO SHARES THE SAME NAME AS ME

(The Mail Artist formerly know as Valentine Mark Herman wishes to categorically deny that this is the same Herman)

You can breath normally again.

THREE FROM KATERINA -- WHY? WHO? WHAT?....AND EVEN HOW?

1. Robert Urich

Katerina writes on the back of this "Why? Who? What?" The who is Mr Urich, whose Harris Tweed jacket does not go with his check shirt. As to the why and what, i have no idea, but suspect that this Postcard, and the last one here come from Katerina's Mail-Art-Sirting-of-Lots-of-Boxes efforts.

2. "Wendover Will" from Wendover, Nevada

Standing in front of the new modern State Line Hotel in Wendover, Nevada is this Giant Cowboy -- "Wendover Will". this friendly cowhand stands 64 ft high and weighs approximately 9 tons. A symbolic figure of the Big West, "Will" is the largest mechanical cowboy in the world. (Beat that John Wayne!)

3. Au Camp de Mailly, France -- a pre-IUOMA exercise in Mail Art

This is a Postcard of some army engineers installing a 'telegraphie' system in 1874. (I sent the Postcard to Katerina in April 2014, and lo and behold 7 and-a-bit years later it has returned to me -- but not by telegraph)

#2 - "Wendover Will" has at his feet a fabulous 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 in a lovely shade of "Heather"*.

* Paint code: DAL-50503 Heather which is a DURACRYL™ Acrylic Lacquer.

Postcadr send to my grand-grand-father in 1930 year.

In the 20-30s of the twentieth century in Poland
 there were population postcards with reproduction  
of pictuter painted by famous patriotic painters, 
with scenes related to historical events 
 or referring to patriotic literature.

Reproduction of the painting by Juliusz Kossak, 
"Konrad Wallenrod", referring to characters 
from the national and romantic poem written 
by Adam Mickiewicz in the first half 
of the 19th century.

Dear Bradford, How on earth do you know what a paint code for a 60 year old car is? Val, who wonders if your lady-at-tat-time was called 'Heather'

Dear Raphael, Thanks this is interesting and historically significant. I haven't come across any other postcards (yet) of a similiar patriotic/nationalistic nature. Val

There's a good chance that the car, a '58 Olds (we had a '59 Olds), was born the same day I was so no girlfriends until I was 4-5 and started nursery school.

One of my many collections is paint chip charts.  The dealer brochures are a decent-sized market, chip charts mostly by restorers/owners, but the information is easy to find.

Continuing the thread related to postcards from the 1930s, there was also a whole trend related to sentimentalism, and reproductions of works by various painters were distributed, in Poland such as T. Okoń or Fr. Żmurko.

For example, postcards sent to my great-grandfather in 1930 and to a family member.

A few more postcards from the 1930s, from my collection , kept in the sentimentalist vein. One has to wonder whether they can be included in the category Boring Postcards?

But in the past it happened that these were the leading subjects - having nothing to do with the correspondence on the back - neutral as far as the content of the correspondence is concerned, but being an excuse to send a postcard to a family member or a friend. The same happened later with anonymous views of towns, buildings, hotel interiors, etc.

"NOT REALLY BORING -- BUT REALLY OLD! MESSAGE ON FRONT, ADDRESS ON REVERSE", SAYS MIM ABOUT THIS POSTCARD OF THE CITY HALL,BALTIMORE, MD, SENT ON AUGUST 13, 1906

The message on the front reads, I think, "Look out for a Souvenier Streak (?) on the way. Going to Willsmnd (?) next."" It was sent to Mr & mrs Hodgkinson, in Buncy, Mass, where it arrived on 14 August, 1906

FOUR MORE FROM MIM -- merci Mme Mim!

1. Interior of lee Chapel, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.

"This Chapel was built by Gen Robert E. Lee in 1867. Behind the platform, and visible from the body of the Chapel, is Valentine's* well known recumbent statue of Lee. Below this is the crypt containing the remains of Robert E. lee and other members of the family."

*?ot this Valentine, I can assure you.

2.Hyatt Regency Acapulco

"'750 Rooms and Suites. And the gentlest and prettiest section of beach in all of Acapulco Bay"

3. Home for the Aged, Salisbury, Maryland

4.  Sheraton Desert Inn, Palm Springs, CA "A Complete Desert Resort Hotel on the Palm Springs Golf Course where you will enjoy a vacation you'll never forget. luxury, Relaxation, Romance...at a Beatuful Desert Oasis."

(With Lots of CAPITAL Letters, Too)

Well, yes, back to the subject.

When I was a child, in 1983/1984, I had the opportunity to go to West Berlin for a while - there was a political creation during the Cold War between East and West - which was a very intense experience for me.

As a child from behind the "Iron Curtain" I found myself in the world of Station Berlin ZOO. A colourful world, full of intense experiences.

Coming back to the reality of real communism in Poland at that time was for me a transgression between two worlds: the unreal one in West Berlin, and the grey, real and oppressive one in communist Poland.
The colourful postcards remain a memento of that time.

It was a phenomenal experience to look from the metal platform at the Brandenburg Gate, above the Berlin Wall, at the eastern part of Berlin, the Communist part. I, as a person from a country in the Communist bloc, was able to look at the Communist regime from the western side of the wall. Is this not a postmodern experience. And then I returned to the abyss of communist Poland. That's why I brought a postcard with a view of East Berlin.

Next postcards form "Berlin-West", produced about 1983/1984.

MORE FROM MIM

1. Pilgrim V. Tour Boat on the St Lawrence River

" Pilgrim V, the largest and newest tourist boat on the St Lawrence River, today, arriving at St James St Dock, next to Public Dock, Alexandra Bay, New York, Thousand Islands."

(Obviouslmy before they had GPS locations)

2.The Natural Stone Steps

"The Stone Steps, some natural and some carved, are located at the foot of High St and afford one easy access to the Catholic Church, Harper House and Jefferson Rock."

Thoughts:

i) if some of these steps are carved, how can they be 'natural'?

ii) in which city canthe steps be found ?

iii) does Jefferson Roll also?

3. Memorial Unit, Grace New Haven Community Hospital, Conn

You don't often see Postcards -- Boring or otherwise -- of Hospitals. I wonder why?

4. Snapper Inn, Long Island, NY

"On the Connetquat River, Oakdale, Long island, NY. One Mile South of Route 27A. Docking Facilities -- Open All Year, established 1929. George remmer, prop. Closed Mondays."

How can it be 'Open All Year' (with Capitals) and be closed on Mondays, George?

Next postcards form "Berlin-West", produced about 1983/1984.

THREE MORE FROM MIKEL UNTZILLA (who seems to have an endless collection of Boring Postcards which he very kindly sends me from time to time)

1. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain

2. Hong Kong and Kowloon from the Peak

3. La Seine et Notre Dame, + la Tour de St Jacques, Paris, France

AND YET ANOTHER one FROM MIM -- ENCORE MERCI!

Norfolk Botanical Gardens

OH DEAR THIS IS WHAT THE NORFOLK BOTANICAL GADENS WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE -- and, if you're wondering, it's a Postcard of the Administrative Building that maybe more picturesque than the Gardens

AND TWO MORE VIRGINIAN ONES FROM MIM

1. The Tides and the Sea Spray, Virginia Beach, VA

The BORING thing about this Postcard is the description:

"THE TIDES -- Newest luxury hotel. All rooms with private bath. European Plan*. Dining Room in connection.** Free Parking lot.

"THE SEA SPRAY --A modern American plan hotel. All rooms en suite or with private bath.

Ocean Front near 21st Street. Mr & Mrs Bruce A Parlette, Owner-Managers"

* whatever is a 'European Plan'?

** 'in connection' with what? Or whom?

The INTERESTING thing about this Postcard is what Mim has written on the back of it:

"This is no longer on the site. the Parlette's are gone. Coastal Hotel & Suites are in that (approx) location. This card is worth $10...wow!"

If you would like to buy this Postcard,  it is for sale at $24 (including P&P). Please send $12 to each Of Mim and Val. Thank you

2. Night Illumination --4th Day --Natural Bridge, Va

SPANISH HOLIDAY CAMPS -- THE POSTCARDS ARE VERY SIMILIAR, PERHAPS THERE IS A STANDARD FORMAT FOR THESE SORT OF POSTCARDS

1. Camping 'La Noria', Torredeembarra

2. Camping 'Las Palmeras', Tarragona

THIS ONE IS FOR BRADFORD (and Heather) AND RAPHAEL-- can you work out what the cars are?

Hotel "Cracovia" Warsaw

The cars are mostly 1950s products either of Russian or Polish manufacture.  The GAZ M-20 Pobeda model is predominant in this photo.

They were produced after WWII until 1958.  The reason I can't tell the difference is because the M-20 model design was licensed to a Polish factory, FSO Warszawa, so the result was virtually identically-looking units.

Thanks Bradford -- you really are a welth of automobile knowledge.Maybe raphael can add domething? May be I have tofind you a harder Boring Automobile Postcard challenge!

It is very simple, the Hotel Cracovia was located in Krakow (Krakau) and its construction was completed around 1965. The fight led by social organisations to preserve the Cracovia Hotel, designed by Witold Cęckiewicz, lasted five years. Influenced by the decision of the conservator and public pressure, the investor commissioned the DDJM studio to develop successive versions of the building that was to replace it. Eventually, the Ministry of Culture bought the building from the developer for the National Museum in Krakow.

So, the hotel is located in Krakow (Cracow) and not in Warsaw. In the caption someone could have suggested the name of FSO cars, which stand in front of the hotel, because they are called Warszawa (Warsaw).

Thanks for the history, Raphael.

Next postcards form "Berlin-West", produced about 1983/1984.

Hotel Cracovia - before opening in 1965.

BRADFORD -- I BET YOU CAN IDENTIFY THE AMERICAN 'WOODY' IN THE FOREGROUND, BUT WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS TIK-TOK(?) , INFRONT OF THE 500 ROOM DE-LUX NARAI HOTEL IN BANGKOK?

1963 FORD Country Squire appears to be missing at least one wheel cover.  The blue tuk-tuk (an onomatopoeia describing it's exhaust note) is just about brand, spankin' new from the appearance of its paint job.  Travel was bringing more tourists and growth in general so the Japanese delivery vehicles available beginning around 1960 were quickly pressed into use as hacks/taxis.  They were economical for both the operator and the passengers with just a 250cc 4-stroke engine needed to propel them through city streets.

Next postcards form "Berlin-West", produced about 1983/1984.

You continue to amaze me, Bradford. It might be asking too much of you to tell me the name of the driver of the blue tuk-tuk in the foreground, what size shoes he takes, and what he had for breakfast that morning? So i won't ask you. Regards, Val

THREE MORE FROM MIKEL U: THANKS AGAIN!

1. L'Opera, Paris, France

2. Somewhere in China (?) -- no information given

3. Costa Blanca, Guadalest (Campanario y Castilla de San José)Katerina: does this one remind you of the Meteora monasteries (which i visited on a cycling trip)?

BORING MUSEUM POSTCARDS FROM FRANCE

1. The Grand Salle of the Naval Museum in Rochefort

2. The 1870-1914 Salle of the Naval Museum in Rochefort

3. The Hunting Museum in Nebias

BORING PTT (postal workers' union) HOLIDAY CAMP POSTCARDS FROM FRANCE

Two from Anglet

lAnd one from Hossegor

The horror of Vacui from Vienna, Austria.

And when I was in Vienna once, I saw quite a nice city, nothing to do with what you see on the postcard.

Another horror vacui.

Postcard from Świnoujście - Swinemünde - a Baltic seaside town on the Polish west border. The seahorse motif cut out in the postcard is touching.

Costa Calma, Fuerteventura - sunny beach. A holiday distinction for many "tourists" from travel agencies.

Dear users of the group, when I look at the postcards posted on it, I become convinced that the blue sky on them is something common, which connects them aesthetically and visually. the sky just has to be blue, perfect. As in medieval paintings.
Regards Rahael.

TWO MORE FROM KATERINA: thanks MomKat!

1. "A rare character doll by Armand Marseille, model 590, circa 1915"

"Another vintage photograph of antique dolls from the archives of Theriault's" (MA)

Ye gods and little fishes: there must be many more Boring postvard dolls in these archives!

2. Chuch, Cunha, France (or maybe Portugal)

The horror of Vacui from Vienna, Austria.

I know Vienna very well, Raphael. this postcard is a bizarre montage of most of the 'seeable' sights that are scattered all over the city. they are certianly not gathered together in this, or any other, configuration.

Blue skies, Raphael?

Yes they feature in many, many postcards. Even where is a 'snowy' postcard, the sky is inevitably bright blue. Maybe this is because people buy postcards when they are on hoiday, and they usually go on holiday when the weather is expected to be good, the sun shining, the snow white & crisp & even, the sky a brilliant blue, ne'er a cloud in sight, etc.

Has anyone got a postcard of a rainy day, dark skies, storm clouds, etc? It would make a change.

Postcard from Ząbkowice Śląskie, from a small town in the south-west of Poland

ROCKY AND WINTER SCENES

1. Porto Vechio, Corsica

2. La Cornice d'Or and les Roches Rouges de l'Estérel, la Cote d'Azur

3.Féerie de l'Hiver, France ('Baby, it's cold outside")

4. Font Romeau, France, altitude 1,800m

Lviv (Lwów), Mickiewicz's column, now a city in Ukraine. 
Postcard sent in 1927.
 From my family archive.

State Agricultural Farm of PGR Sokołowo, 50 kilometers from Poznań (Posen), in the western part of Poland. During the communist era, some of the land was nationalized and state-owned farms functioned on it. 

Postcard from 1975, and the photos show the following shots: a battery of grain silos, a housing estate - a social house, "Bachus" cafe, "Rzepicha" company shop in the city of Września.

State Agricultural Farm of PGR Popowo Kościelne, 50 kilometers north  from Poznań (Posen), in the western part of Poland. 

Postcard from about 1975 year.