de61
Member 
Posts: 262
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Post by de61 on Dec 13, 2019 16:23:53 GMT
Sometimes, the most interesting aspect of a postal card is the message it contains.
First up is a UY7a postal reply card from 1928 offering baby chicks by mail.
Bees by mail. A UX5 postal card from 1878 regarding bees and beekeeping information for sale. Apparently, the seller received payment for the bees prior to delivery and sent a message ahead to cancel the C.O.D. requirement for the delivery. I'd hate to be the postal carrier responsible for making this delivery!
To this day, you can still send baby chicks and bees, along with a number of other live animals, through the U.S. Postal Service.
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de61
Member
Posts: 262
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Post by de61 on Dec 13, 2019 16:43:53 GMT
Following are 2 postal cards requesting payment of an insurance policyholder's share for claims made against a fire insurance company. This is when mutual insurance was truly mutual. To keep one's fire insurance policy in effect, the policyholder had to pay his share of claims made by other policyholders within the group.
From 1893 on a UX10 postal card:
From 1897 on a UX12 postal card:
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Post by gregalex on Mar 12, 2020 4:43:10 GMT
I've always liked this one. I guess it's the 1917 version of an APB for horse theft.   |
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susiecc
Member
Posts: 63
What I collect: General US, Precancels, Monaco, India Feudatory States, the World!!
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Post by susiecc on Mar 12, 2020 21:01:10 GMT
I love that horse stealing card! Here's one I found that I thought was really interesting. It was dated 1857.   |
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720 
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Mar 13, 2020 15:51:45 GMT
Once upon a time in a kiloware lot I came across an old leather postcard from around 1903 or so, if I remember correctly. Apparently burning designs on to blank leather post cards was a hobby in the times before the USPS added restrictions which prohibited their mailing. This card was from Port Arthur, TX and had a cartoon showing a cowboy on the design side. The letter side was addressed to New York City and the message contained a complaint about how horrible the mosquitoes were in Port Arthur. I snooped online and found a museum in Port Arthur and sent them the card, as I figured they might appreciate it. Unfortunately, I sent away my find without scanning it so I have no image to show - oh well.
Ryan
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Post by gregalex on Mar 14, 2020 3:09:37 GMT
Here's one that made me look twice when I first saw it. It's written in cypher! I was finally able to get a translation on another forum. The actual message is pretty mundane, but it certainly is eye-catching!   |
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Mick
Member
Site Supporter
Posts: 929
What I collect: Mostly covers and postmarks. Also miscellaneous paper ephemera.
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Post by Mick on Mar 23, 2020 0:17:37 GMT
A postcard giving notice of annual dues for the Mutual Aid and Accident Association of the I.O.O.F. (International Order of Odd Fellows) sent to (I think) J.H. Pfeiffer of Toledo, Ohio.   Many thanks to Beryllium Guy for this very interesting card. |
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WERT
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Mar 23, 2020 2:44:07 GMT
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Post by jamesw on Mar 23, 2020 9:58:40 GMT
These may not be unusual, but I think they're interesting in their simplicity. Shows you how much we take texting and email for granted these days. Another IOOF card. "Yes I'm coming to the parade" This is a UY5 Postal Reply card. The message half of this card pictured hubby George on the stamp.  A card from the Order of Railway Conductors of America union. "Nothing to report". UX14 Postal card  |
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Post by jamesw on Mar 23, 2020 10:06:48 GMT
Here's something a little new. A UX55 card from Portland Ore. to Vancouver BC with a cute if not crude drawing of a choo choo on the back. Not postmarked. It may have been used as a receipt. There is a faint '9' hand stamped on the back. The only marking.  |
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WERT
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Mar 23, 2020 22:22:35 GMT
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Mar 24, 2020 7:04:45 GMT
A UX55 card from Portland Ore. to Vancouver BC with a cute if not crude drawing of a choo choo on the back. Not postmarked. It may have been used as a receipt. Note that this is a precancelled postal card - it's not supposed to receive a postmark. Have a look at this exhibit of U.S. precancel postal cards from Josh Furman (found on the APS site) for many other examples. They were government-issued from 1961 to 1985 and those cards are commonly found, but many of the earlier issues are rare, occasionally unique. Ryan |
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Post by jamesw on Mar 24, 2020 11:37:23 GMT
Ah! there you go. I didn't realize the card was precanceled, thank you Ryan. I've learned something new already today. Let's hope that's a good omen.
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Post by gregalex on Mar 25, 2020 23:53:20 GMT
Here's one I'd forgotten about. This is a 1907 invitation to a demonstration of the wireless telegraph -- better known as the radio. I imagine this was almost like magic at the time.   |
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Post by thegubman on Oct 7, 2020 15:52:10 GMT
Here is a postal stationery/postcard that has an odd purple print Varietas placet (google translate implies variety please?) with butterfly. Any ideas what this is about? Hopefully posted in the correct place, if not please move admin. Thanks Graham |
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renden
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Posts: 8,705
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Oct 7, 2020 16:21:05 GMT
thegubmanI will not go nto the Postmarks, selff-explanatory As for the contents: Letter from Columbus Juy 4th 94 I wrote "name"....via altae (latin) that I have moved from Louisville to Columbus. Today birthday of the Republic, of the Independence (national) and 26th anniversary of my Mary Jane....makes one old or something (?) I have received your letter informing me of the death of Antoine....R.I.P. I am waiting for he laminated plaque.....( .the rest of text is obliterated and I do not like to guess)Signature: Emile Hope this gives you something to work on ALTAE= High but not sure how it fits in this phrase René
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blaamand
Member
Currently creating custom pages until 1940.
Posts: 1,459
What I collect: Worldwide - Stamps and Postmarks - not enough time...
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Post by blaamand on Oct 7, 2020 19:30:03 GMT
Interesting that butterfly postmark, haven't seen such a cancel before. i wonder what it signifies. And was it applied in Columbus or upon arrival in Gand/Belgium - or was it on the postal card in the first place? Maybe simply the sender (Emile) applied it on her own to make it look nice?
I believe 'Varietas placet' will translate to a saying we have in Norway 'Forandring fryder' - which would mean something like "variety is pleasing". or "enjoy changes"
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WERT
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: Canada and Provinces
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Post by WERT on Oct 8, 2020 13:45:34 GMT
Here is mailing embargo cover to Canada. Robert
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Post by stamphinger on Feb 2, 2021 23:19:34 GMT
Bumping up this thread to post an example of Sc. UX51 issued September 26, 1964, one of the earlier commemorative postal cards publicizing the Social Security System. I bought this card for the unusual and clever way of transmitting the Kansas Precancel Society's membership card. It is also appropriate usage as UX51 was a precanceled card. While not expensive, this usage might be scarce if recipients actually cut out their membership card.
Don StampHinger  |
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