1939 New York World's Fair - Postcard Friendship Friday

Another postcard from the group I found at Goodwill sometime back.

It depicts the US Steel building at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

The back reads as follows: "A striking architectural feature of this 66-foot high stainless steel building is the use of the structural steel members on the exterior as a basic element of design. These members, weighing 350 tons and meeting 72 feet above the ground, painted blue, conceal lights which are directed against the polished dome at night. Visitors will see a dramatic presentation of the world of tomorrow which steel helped to build. Design was by Walter Derwin Teague. Architects York and Sawyer."

I tried to get more information on the fate of this building ... whether it still stands or not ... but the only information I could find said that most of the metal buildings built for the 1939 New York World's Fair were dismantled upon completion of the fair, and made into bullets and other items to be used by the military during WWII.

If anyone has further information about this building, please let me know!

To see postcards from around the world, please visit Beth's blog - The Best Hearts Are Crunchy. Beth is host of "Postcard Friendship Friday". Come join in the fun!

First Day Covers - More From Grandma G!

These FDC's (First Day Covers) are also known as FDI (First Day Issue).
Grandma G collected these covers.
I didn't know until I was going through some of her papers.

I find that despite my preference for postcards that have actually been sent, these are growing on me.

Like this top one from 1966 - encouraging us to "Visit the USA".
I love these old pictures!

This similar FDC from 1967 also encourages us to "Visit the USA", but doesn't have the pictures that make it more interesting (to me).

This FDC from 1962 features a 4 cent Lincoln profile.
And reminds us which side of the card we're supposed to address!

This is one of my favorite FDC's in Grandma G's collection.
The pictures on the reverse side feature "Rodeo", "Mississippi Riverboat", the "Grand Canyon", and "Monument Valley" as being great tourism destinations for 1972.

First Day Covers - Postcard Friendship Friday

Grandma G. collected stamps.
Not just any stamps, but First Day Covers.
Or FDC's.

I was going through some of her papers the other day,
and found the stash ...

Probably 100 FDC's -
Mostly regular envelopes.

But a whole bunch of them were these postcards.

The sad part is ... they were not addressed to anybody.
Beautiful, but useless.
Well, to me.
Because I love the stories told on postcards,
even just the "to" and "from" part.

Postcards are more than just canceled stamps, in my opinion.
They are art, they are beauty,
they are HISTORY.
They are real people,
They are emotions long forgotten; now remembered.

Don't get me wrong, I really like these FDC's,
Maybe someday I'll donate them to someone's collection.

But I like the other ones a little better.

To see beautiful and nostalgic postcards from around the world, please visit Beth at her wonderful blog "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" - and join in on Postcard Friendship Friday!!!

Pakenham Oaks, New Orleans - Postcard Friendship Friday

Pakenham Oaks, New Orleans

Planted in 1762 by by PierreDenis Delaronde, who owned a plantation home on the property.
The home burned down in 1876, but the live oaks still line the road, which is now paved.

If you enlarge this, you can read the information about these beautiful and majestic live oak trees - and the Battle of New Orleans (War of 1812).

To see postcards from around the world, please visit Beth's blog "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy". Beth hosts the delightful Postcard Friendship Friday!

Happy PFF everybody!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOREVER JANN!!!

I hear it's a very special day for a very special lady ...

I hope you are having a hip, hop, happy day!

It's Jann's Birthday!

Let's help her celebrate the 29th Anniversary of her 29th Birthday!!!
Please visit her over at Forever Jann and wish her a
Wonderful Day!!!

Prison Art #4

This is my favorite of Lamont's drawings that I found ...

Lamont and Candice are still developing their relationship ...

I sense a little trouble on this horizon though ... he is terribly bored in prison, yet refuses to work in the chow hall because the pay is too little ... and he has asked Candice for money.

But still, they are trying to build something here ...

Postcard, Expo '86 - Postcard Friendship Friday

Sally Takolik, Age 9 of Spence Bay, N.W.T. Canada

Artwork designed for Expo '86
Northwest Territories Canada

To see more postcards from around the world, please visit Beth's delightful blog "The Best Hearts are Crunchy", where she hosts Postcard Friendship Friday!

Prison Art #3

Lamont drew this for Candice, telling her it "took him a few days".
The colors and details of the flowers ... wow.

The tentative romance continues!

Prison Art #2

I wish I had these bubbles - blowing hearts.

Lamont and Candice knew each other for quite a while (5 years), and were attracted to each other even back then.
But Lamont was married. I'm not sure about Candice.

While Lamont was in prison, their long distance romance continued to blossom.
They exchanged photos ...

Prison Art #1

The year was 1994.
Candice was a young lady living in California,
But she spent a lot of time in Oregon.

Lamont was incarcerated at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton.

He spent his spare time writing to Candice, and drawing cards for her.

He was married to Katheryn, but she didn't want to wait for him to get out of prison ...

I don't know what happened to this romance.
I do know that about 10 years later I found a bunch of cards and letters in the trash can at my storage unit. I saw the artwork, and was entranced.

According to Vinelink, Lamont is still on parole. Somewhere in Lane County.

I wonder if he still draws beautiful cards.
I wonder if Candice is with him ...

I will probably never know.

Postcard, "Bad Dog" - Ay Tay

Meet Ay-Tay

This is the final postcard from the Goodwill-rescued series "Bad Dog"

But don't despair ... my next series is going to be -
Prison Art!

Prison Art is a group of cards and notes from Lamont to Candice.
Candice lived in California.
Lamont was incarcerated at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution.
The year was 1994 ...

Postcard, "Bad Dog"

Meet Oakley and Tober -

Awe, they don't look like Bad Dogs to me -

"From the NY Times Best Seller 'Bad Dog'"

I only have one more of the "Bad Dog" series found at Goodwill a while back.
I think I'm going to miss them!