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.
the pain of parting (Nevada)
Cette carte postale est venue de mon beau-frère, qui en plus de créer des très jolies cartes postales, les trouve aussi partout. À la fin, je suis toujours heureux les recevoir.
Texan cakes
Matty continues to send the most excellent postcards, this one from a trip! How funny that this image has been recycled across at least two states now!
other interpretations are possible (France)
This postcard isn’t the lascivious provocation that I initially thought it might be! Dominique, in his eighty-fifth postcard sent from France, explains that this is Gabrielle d’Estrées, the mistress of King Henri IV, in her bath with her sister the Duchess of Villars. He further explains that pinching the nipple might indicate that she was pregnant, especially given the servant in the background sewing a layette. Fascinating! ”Portrait présumé de Gabrielle d’Estrées et de sa soeur la duchesse de Villars (détail)”, around 1594. École de Fontainebleau.
when boredom strikes (Oregon)
Haven’t we all had this urge from time to time, especially during a global pandemic or a heat wave?! I can certainly sympathize with Linda, who sends this terrific postcard from Portland.
Miami Beach (Florida)
This is a great postcard from Matty on his trip to the four corners of the continental US! His recommendation for sight-seeing in Miami Beach is well received (I absolutely concur)!
paper flower peddlers (Vietnam)
I love private swaps and this one is a great example of why they’re so great! Andrew contacted me from Saigon where he lives and we exchanged postcards. This one arrived today, depicting Hue - the imperial capital of Vietnam - and paper flower peddlers on bicycle. Beautiful!
“Open Happiness” (Georgia)
Sweeping down south from the Atlantic seaboard, Matty sends this postcard from the Coke Museum in Atlanta. The evolution of the bottles is quite interesting, but I think I prefer the brown glass bottle most!
Spirit Mountain Casino’s entry into the 1996 Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade (Oregon)
What better way to celebrate the beginning of August than with a postcard from Linda?! This postcard depicts a float for a parade way back in 1996 (almost 30 years ago, if you’re counting). What craftsmanship!
the White House (Washington, DC)
I’m glad to read that Matty visited some of the Smithsonian Museums, which I think are perhaps the number one reason to visit Washington, DC. Not only are the collections very impressive, but they’re 100% free! Your government at work, folks!
Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge (New York)
Here is the skyline of Lower Manhattan with the Brooklyn Bridge in the foreground. Matty sent this from his trip to New York City, the second time he’s visited. He capped off the visit with a trip to Chelsea Market, the High Line, and walking the Brooklyn Bridge.
What R U Doing 4 Peace? (United Nations)
Continuing his rounds of the US, Matty sends this postcard from UN Plaza in New York City. It poses an important question, which I put to my readers: What are your doing for peace?
Gravenstein apples (California)
I don’t know if these are actually Gravenstein apples, but given that Katelyn and Matt sent it from Sonoma County, I’m going to pretend! They were there for a long weekend of relaxation and getting-away, and from what they write, it sounds like it was a great success! I can almost smell this postcard, can’t you!?
Millennium Park (Illinois)
Moving east, Matty stopped in America’s third largest city (sometimes called “the third coast”) and visited Millennium Park. This sculpture is actually called “Cloud Gate” but I prefer the epithet “the Bean,” not just because it’s more fitting, but because the creator — who is an asshole — hates it.
University of Glasgow (Scotland)
Fawn, a very good friend of mine and colleague from grad school, took a weekend away from her business trip to England and visited Glasgow, including the Harry Styles concert! In addition to her sightseeing and concert-going, she got caught in some sudden downpours, so it sounds like a very traditional Scottish vacation after all!
Birling Gap and Seven Sisters (England)
My penpal Peggy sent this terrific postcard from her trip to England, which has been sunny (and hot, I’m afraid!)! What a beautiful site this must be! I’ve only ever been to London, and only a few places there, so I have lots to see. Thanks, Peggy!
Mt. Rushmore (South Dakota)
My Australian penpal, Matty, continues his epic journey across the US. This postcard hails from Mt. Rushmore, a site that Andy and I visited ten years ago almost exactly when we drove cross-country as I moved to California. Matty also saw Crazy Horse, which is much more monumental and impressive, in my opinion.
Provincetown Harbor (Massachusetts)
Our dear friends Julian and Salvo traveled to P-Town recently and found this delightful postcard of Provincetown Harbor! It’s printed on deliciously heavy stock so it has a tactile beauty in addition to its visual aspect! The artist is Gaston Lacombe.
Cleebourg (France)
Sachant comment j’adore les vins, mon ami Dominique m’a envoyé cette carte postale de la commune de Cleebourg en Alsace. Il écrit que là-bas se trouve le vignoble le plus septentrional de France, et que les vignerons apportent leurs raisins à la même cave! J’adore les vins alsaciens, donc il faudra absolumment que j’y aille pour les goûter un jour!
Parry Sound (Ontario)
I do love a watercolor and this postcard is no exception! It comes from our dear friends Quinn and Lorris who vacationed in Parry Sound, Ontario during the Canada Day weekend. A canoe trip does sound lovely and reminds me of my many summers canoeing the Au Sable River in Northern (Lower Peninsula) Michigan.
Wyoming sights
As my Australian penpal makes his way through the country, he very generously sends me postcards he thinks I may enjoy. What do you think - is this one up my alley or no? Thanks, Matty! You’re very thoughtful indeed!