Friday, February 3, 2017

Messages on two old postcards



This postcard shows Abriendo Plaza and the "opening ceremony at the bull fight, Tijuana B.C. Mexico." There's a yellow advertisement along the fence for a company that appears to be called FOTOMANTEL. Also, I should note that the white circle along the bottom of the image is NOT part of the original postcard. It's a blemish (paint? white-out?) that was introduced to the postcard long ago.

The stamp has been removed and the postmark is unreadable. But we do know that the card was mailed to Mr. William Midura of Irving Street in Rahway, New Jersey. William's wife, Mary, died in 2011 at age 92, and her obituary says she was predeceased by him. You can see photos of William and Mary at this Dignity Memorial page.

The message on this card, written in cursive, states:
Hello Willy,
Well believe it or not I am in Mexico now. Will be heading for Jersey soon. This is a swell place.
So Long,
Tony



And this second card is a linen postcard that has been copyrighted by Fred Noma. It's labeled "New Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, N.Y." That iconic span is officially called the Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge, and it cost $4 million and opened in November 1941. If you're a passenger in a car crossing the Rainbow Bridge, you have a fairly stunning view of Niagara Falls.

This postcard was postmarked on July 6, 1944, in Niagara Falls, New York, and it was mailed with the green, 1-cent Four Freedoms stamp.

The addressees appear to be Mr. and Mrs. Jake Echan of Winthrop Road in Union, New Jersey. And here's the note:
Dear Folks—
I suppose by now you understand what we're doing here.
It's all so strange at first, but I guess we'll get used to it.
Best regards,
Leo & Emma
It's also possible that "Leo" is "Les". Either way, I'm wondering if this should be spelled e-l-o-p-e.

5 comments:

  1. Any chance you could post the f-r-o-n-t of the c-a-r-d? Forensic analysis isn't getting far with the information provided.

    T-h-a-n-k-s!

    -- M.F.

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  2. I have e-mailed a (possible) descendant of the (possible) Leo and Emma in question. You have been cc'ed. Cross your fingers....

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  3. My rather extensive research posted subsequent to your posting of the flip side of the post card seems to have been lost in cyberspace.

    Do you see my research on your end? If not, I will need to recreate and repost the family history of Jacob (Jake), Wanda, Joan, and Clayton Echan.

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    Replies
    1. Alas, I have nothing in the Approved or Unapproved comments in Blogger. Very sorry!

      Delete