July 2nd, 2009
This is postcard #5 in this series of vintage postcards showing scenes from the North Bay – Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin Counties in California.
This 1909 postcard was written to my Grandmother, Maude Englehart in Winters, California from her Sister, Lillian who lived in Watsonville, CA. Inexplicably , the postcard is a scene of a Catholic Church in Sonoma City, far to the North of Watsonville.
Lillian writes: “Dear Maude: Will you please have my canned peaches and the little rocking chair sent right away? I need my fruit now and Malcom wants the chair. There was some of my fruit from last year that was not sent and I should like it all. I will pay the charges. Thank you very much for the papers sent. I will send some (over to the front of the postcard) paper-mappers (?) some time. Will you ask Mama to send my book “Six Girls”? Must close – L.V.M. 215 Lincoln St Watsonville, Cal.”
I don’t know if the Watsonville part of the family had a connection to Sonoma or if the card was acquired on a visit or ?
There is no publisher or card number given, however, the back of the card has a very nice art nouveau decoration to separate the address area from the message area.
Tags: antique, post card, postcard, Sonoma, St Francis Church, vintage, Watsonville
Posted in Locations Buildings, North Bay (CA), San Francisco Bay Area, california | No Comments »
July 1st, 2009
This ‘real photographic postcard’ is the fourth postcard in this series of vintage postcards from Northern California.
This view of Stinson Beach in Marin County, California is a ‘real photographic post card’ This means that the image is printed using photographtic processes onto photographic paper with a postcard back.
The postcard is addressed to my Grandparents, William and Mabel Frieseke in Sacramento. There address was 2905 F Street. I think it is interesting how the address is formatted on the card with the numbers and street below the city.
Postmarked in July, 1937 the message on the card is: “Mon. 26th Dear Mabel & Will: I know you do not hear your Tel. Bell so often. It is nice weather Am having a good rest. Will & Beatrice came down yesterday for a week and (illegible) were so glad to see them. Regards to all M.F. Lais”. The one cent stamp on the card is interesting; it has an image of Mt Vernon, a portrait of Washington and equally, someone named Greene. Any idea who Greene was? Use comments section below if you do.
The photographer of the postcard has signed, “Zan of Tamalpais”.
Tags: antique, ephemera, Marin County, post card, postcard, Stinson Beach, vintage
Posted in North Bay (CA), San Francisco Bay Area, california, photographic p.c. | No Comments »
June 30th, 2009
This is the third in a series of vintage postcards picturing California North Bay attractions. These postcards are from Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.
I cannot read the date on this ‘real photographic postcard’ but I would guess it to be from the mid 40s. The card is addressed to my Grandmother, Maude Englehart and it was written by my Aunt Grace Rattenbury. (See notation on front of the postcard.)
The image is the Point Arena Lighthouse on the Mendocino County coast and with the exception of the windmill, looks pretty much the same today. The Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers Assn operates a museum and a B & B in the facilities today.
The message on the postcard reads: “Dearest Nana, Came clear thro to Fort Bragg Fri night. Kids stood trip fine but sea breezes cause coughing so moved on down near Point Arena. Nice & warmer. My cough much better today but have had a heck of a time. Bev (my cousin) much better. Bobbe (another cousin) not so much. Going down to Russian River tomorrow & home end of the week, I think. Don’t know just what day – Geo has found some business. (My uncle George was a life insurance salesman – he must have found someone to sell to.)
There is no publisher or phtographer’s name listed on this real photographic postcard. A real photo postcard is an actual photograph printed onto photographic paper.
Tags: antique, ephemera, Mendocino, Point Arena, post card, postcard, vintage
Posted in california, photographic p.c. | 2 Comments »
June 29th, 2009
This is the second postcard in the series of vintage postcards from Northern California – Specifically the wonders of Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin Counties.
This undated and unused ‘chrome’ postcard is one of a series published by the Union Oil Company. The Oil Company’s distribution of these scenic postcards popularized the chrome style of postcard. Virtually all postcards today are ‘chromes’.
The scene on the postcard is of the Russian River. This is near my home in Sonoma County, CA and although the image is not labeled it looks like the lower reaches of the river, somewhere around Gurneville or Monte Rio. Although this card is not dated, the words, “One Cent Stamp Here” place it prior to 1952 when the postcard rate went to two cents.
Tags: antique, ephemera, post card, postcard, russian river, sonoma county, vintage
Posted in San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, california | 2 Comments »
June 28th, 2009
This is the first in a series of seven vintage postcards from Northern California – namely Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Marin countys.
This vintage postcard was written from Vichy Springs in Mendocino County. The postcard is dated 1909 and is addressed to my Aunt Grace Englehart. Hot Springs and Mineral Springs were a big draw in this part of California in the early 20th century. Near the city of Ukiah, California the Vichy Springs Resort still operates today.
The message on the postcard reads: “Hello Grace: – How are you? I hope I can come out to see you when I come home. We expect to go home next week some time. We came up here last Saturday. Is it very warm down there? We nearly freeze to death up here every morning. Your friend Mabel Worton”.
The postcard was published by the Polychrome Co. There was no card number evident.
Posted in North Bay (CA), california | No Comments »
June 27th, 2009
This view of Winters High School is the final postcard in this series.
Another ‘real photographic postcard’ from Winters, California. If you wonder about the title of this post, check the others in this Winters series of vintage postcards.
This unused and undated postcard was published by Cook Photo and is titled High School Winters. Another postcard in this series shows that Cook Photo was headquartered in Woodland, California.
Notice the group of three people standing in front of the school. I can date this postcard to after 1906 but beyond that do not know the date of publication. The photograph is showing discoloration along the edges, I believe this is from insufficient washing of the print.
Tags: antique, ephemera, post card, postcard, vintage, Winters, Winters High School
Posted in Winters, california, photographic p.c. | No Comments »
June 26th, 2009
This sixth vintage postcard in the Winters series is yet another view of a bridge in Winters.
This is a real photographic postcard (as were a couple of others in this series). This is a view of the construction of what appears to be the railroad bridge over Putah Creek near Winters. The card is showing discoloration on the edges – perhaps from photographic chemicals not being thoroughly washed from the print.
It is an unused and undated postcard – It is after 1906 because of the style of the back of the card (split back) but I cannot date it beyond that. Perhaps someone knows when this bridge was built and can update this post in the comments section below. The postcard is poorly titled, Bridge Winters – Cook Photo Woodland.
Posted in Railroad, Winters, california, photographic p.c. | No Comments »
June 25th, 2009
Postcard #5 in the Winters, California series.
This postcard is unused, undated and untitled. I believe it to be the bridge over Putah Creek at Winters, California. I base this on it appearance – the three spans, my Uncle’s name written on the back (the family lived in Winters) and that it was grouped with the other bridges of Winters in the collection. Against this being Putah Creek is the amount of water in the creek. The photos I’ve seen of this location show it as just a trickle. It could be the difference between summer and winter. It looks like a very threatening sky in the photo.
If you as a reader of this post have a view as to the location, please comment in the comment section below.
Tags: antique, ephemera, post card, postcard, Putah creek, vintage, Winters
Posted in Winters, california | No Comments »
June 24th, 2009
Another bridge from the Winters, California series. This is postcard #4.
The bridge shown in this 1908 postcard is not from Winters – but it is nearby. It appears to be a stone bridge and the postcard title places it crossing Putah Creek at Monticello. Note the horse & cart crossing the bridge.
You will not find Monticello on a map as the site is under Lake Berryessa. A few years ago, I visited a photo exhibit (in Marin County) of historic photos by Dorothea Lange and Prikle Jones showing the town of Monticello prior to its flooding.
NOTE ADDED 6-25-09 I seem to recall reading a newspaper item a few years ago during one of our drought years that a bridge had emerged from the Lake Berryessa waters as the lake receded. I wonder if this is the bridge that briefly reappeared.
I can recall, as a child, visiting at my Grandmother’s place near Winters in the 50s. There was much talk and lamenting by my Uncles regarding the loss of hunting grounds to the rising water of the Lake.
The postcard is addressed to my Aunt, Grace Englehart, and the message on the card is: “Dear Grace – Why don’t you write and let a fellow know how you are. I have company from Napa and haveing a fine time. Jane”.
I find it interesting that the postcard has a Napa postmark as well as one from Monticello.
Tags: antique, ephemera, Lake Berryessa, Monticello, post card, postcard, vintage, Winters
Posted in Winters, california | No Comments »
June 23rd, 2009
This black bordered postcard is number 4 in the Winters series.
Like yesterday’s post, this ‘real photo postcard’ is a view of the Concrete Bridge over Putah Creek near Winters, California. (Winters is in California’s Central Valley, near the University town of Davis.) Based on the postcards in my collection, the construction of this bridge must have been a source of pride for the early residents of Winters. Perhaps it gave them a shortcut between the town and the farm and ranches between Winters and Woodland (the county seat) and Davis.
As I write this, I was just checking Google Maps and it looks like this bridge might be over McCune Creek rather than Putah Creek – Any help from someone who lives in Winters please? Respond in the comments section below if you can help.
This postcard is, like yesterday’s,marked, Hull No. 371.
Tags: antique, ephemera, post card, postcard, Putah creek, vintage, Winters
Posted in Winters, california, photographic p.c. | No Comments »