
Here are the postcards!
I’ve been collecting postcards since 2008. Since then, I’ve sent and received over 1800 postcards from all over the US and dozens of countries. I respond to every postcard I receive, so I’m always open for private swaps.
My origin story: Back when I was a young boy, I got the idea to write a letter to several world leaders, but I only ever ended up writing the US president and the Queen of England. I was so tickled to receive responses from President Bush and then Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II! Well, they weren’t directly from the world leaders, but rather from their staff members. President Bush sent me an autographed photograph (which I lost later in a show-and-tell accident).
One of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting sent me a very detailed letter, typed on Buckingham Palace stationery, answering all of my questions about the Queen’s horses and her corgis and her favorite foods. I marveled at the strangely-sized paper, the texture of the embossed coat of arms centered at the top of the page, and the stamps on the envelope. A real person had spent time reading my letter, responding to it, folding it and placing it in an envelope, and then more real human beings had taken the time and effort to transport it from London to some mail distribution center, to an airport in England, to an airport in the US, and back through the various USPS chains until it arrived in a plastic mailbox at the foot of my driveway in southeast Michigan.
I’m still fascinated by this process today, and all for less than the price of some chocolate! So I maintain correspondence with about a dozen penpals across the world, and send and receive postcards. At last count, I have a little under 2,000 postcards that I’ve received. Keep scrolling to see the most recent postcards that have arrived in my mailbox.
Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
What a beautifully-illustrated postcard of Nizhny Novgorod in Russia! The sender also affixed a lovely stamp from 1963! I'm not a philatelist but I can appreciate a really cool stamp when I see one!
Silvers (Ontario)
Walter sent us this postcard after his first buffet. “It wass good. You get as much as you want.” Sounds like a great buffet to me!
This horse is entitled “Silvers” (1999) and was crafted by Joe Fafard in bronze with grey patina.
Green Apple Books (California)
Kimee recounts a teaching by Neko Case in which she says that it's okay to stay angry, and that forgiveness is the most beautiful thing in the world when it comes from you, not when it's demanded or expected or forced. I think that's really beautiful, too.
Canberra (Australia)
I can't believe my penpal Matty has been to 84 countries! I thought that I'd visited a lot, but my number (21) seems paltry compared to his! Goals, though.
Browser Books (California)
Kimee went on a bookstore crawl and sent me some postcards from her event. The first bookstore didn't have any postcards, but it did have a drag queen named Jubilee who was “born on the ferris wheel at Dollywood, which was a miracle because [she] was a caesarean.” Typical!
stilvoll geniessen (Germany)
Dominique took a quick trip to Germany where he was able to visit Alde Gott, a wine-making cooperative with delicious, artfully crafted wines. They also make whiskey, as seen in this ad card, although he's not tried it yet.
charming Europe map (Netherlands)
This inspiring polyglot sent me a terrific and charming map postcard. What detail and fun discoveries around every illustration!
mulled wine (Germany)
There's something about these mulled wine glasses which is so iconic! I remember we had them in the restaurant I worked in as a young adult and I was so taken with them, especially when our bartender mixed drinks in them. Thanks to this PostCrosser for the great trip down memory lane!
Koitsu Tsuchiya (Japan)
What a beautiful postcard and a great way for me ot learn more about ukiyo-e (wood block printing)! This print was made by famous Koitsu Tsuchiya!
do I dare disturb the universe (Nevada)
This postcard comes from my brother-in-law, who writes that this is one of his favorite poems. I haven't read any T.S. Eliot since I was in middle school and I wrote a long analysis of “the Hollow Men” with my friend Erin. Perhaps it's time to revisit his work?
a rainbow over Berlin (Germany)
This postcard comes from Germany with peace and hope. Berlin, the sender writes, “is very diverse and open, even in these difficult times.” We could all use more diversity and openness!
they're always spotted! (Michigan)
On the same day I got a postcard from our other nephew Brandon, who also listed some of his favorite things. This is a great postcard collection.
with ten tickles! (Michigan)
Our nephew Jasper sent this postcard along with some news about his favorite media. I love the cute illustrations and jokes.
keep calm and to love freely (Germany)
Who couldn't agree with this sentiment (don't answer that question)? What a beautiful card!
cépages d’Alsace (France)
Heureusement, Dominque m’écrit et m’enseigne beaucoup sur les vins de France. Il habite en Alsace, donc il est tout près des grands vignobles de la région, où se trouve un de mes vins préférés: le Riesling. Nous adorons, surtout, un Riesling un peux agé.
civil disobedience (Oregon)
You'd think that by now I'd be used to Linda's excellent eye for the most appropriate, timely postcards - but she keeps upping the ante! Absolutely terrific. Lucky of us, we'll see each other in person next month!
my gay agenda (Connecticut)
If you're worried about the gay agenda, you should be! And if you don't know what the gay agenda is, you should know! :-) Jamil gets it. Thanks, friend!
more gratitude (California)
I love this series of women artists so much! Cynthia sent this expressing gratitude and appreciation; what a thoughtful person!
Vienna (Austria)
I think that Austria is often an overlooked place in Europe, at least from the US point of view. I truly enjoyed my quick day trip to Salzburg way back in 2013 and I'm looking forward to visiting Austria again soon!
thank you bouquet (California)
We were very glad last weekend to host an Oscar's viewing part for our friends, Salvo and Julian sent this beautiful card after the party! Chosen family, indeed!