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.

Subscribe for Updates

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.

Kristopher Geda 8/1/21 Kristopher Geda 8/1/21

Volubilis - North Carolina

This postcard comes from my penpal and benefactor Peggy, announcing an upcoming move. I had never heard of Volubilis before, so I was enchanted to learn it’s a partially excavated Berber city in Morocco, commonly believed to be the ancient capital of Mauretania.
Since Peggy typically adheres to the rule of never buying a postcard for a site she hasn’t visited, I have to assume she’s visited this one! Terrific! I don’t think I’ve seen any ancient Roman sites outside of Rome, so I hope one day to see it for myself. Merci, merci!

Kristopher Geda 7/31/21 Kristopher Geda 7/31/21

One World Trade Center - New York

I haven’t been to New York City in ages and One World Trade Center had not even been started I don’t think the last time I was there. What a beautiful and imposing building, although I’m not sure I love the antenna on top. This postcard comes from my nephew’s girlfriend Pooja. I really should visit NYC again soon! Thanks Pooja!

Kristopher Geda 7/30/21 Kristopher Geda 7/30/21

“Mary Ann MacNamara”- South Carolina

This painting is entitled “Mary Ann MacNamara” and as painted by Robert Henri around 1925. It’s part of the collection at the Columbia Museum of Art, the postcard of which was sent to me by my new penpal Jackson. Thanks - the colors are really something! I particularly love the green background.

Kristopher Geda 7/29/21 Kristopher Geda 7/29/21

Pinocchio and Pals - Oregon

Here’s another terrific postcard from my friend Linda, who sends an update on how’s she’s weathering (heh) the heat wave in the Pacific Northwest. I visited Disneyland way back in the 80s or early 90s - I was so young that I don’t know for sure. I definitely remember the characters and finding some of them terrifying. I did, however, really enjoy meeting Minnie Mouse who has always been a favorite!

Kristopher Geda 7/28/21 Kristopher Geda 7/28/21

Órale Mexican Kitchen - New Jersey

Is this card not terrific?! It arrived courtesy of the dearest and best Katie and Mejdulene from an impromptu tip to Jersey City. They recommend this fun place - based on the advertising postcard alone, I’d say it was a hoot! Thanks, friends!

Kristopher Geda 7/27/21 Kristopher Geda 7/27/21

des cartes canadiennes

Voici une collection de carte postales envoyée par ma très chère amie Mélanie. Elle m’a envoyé plusières cartes postales en plus que celles-ci, mais celles-là sont pour renvoyer à des autres gens. Tu peux être sûr si tu recevras une de celles cartes postales, je te dirais d’où elle est venue. Parmis ces cartes, je suis specifiquement touché par la première: la grande carte rose écrite en français et anglais. Peut-être que tu sais déjà qu’il y a quelques mois, les Postes Canada ont offert à chaque resident une carte postale pre-payée pour envoyer aux aimé(e)s. J’ai été tellement interessé par ce program, mais je savais qu’il serait impossible d’en recevoir une (car les cartes postales sont pre-payées uniquement pour le Canada, et il fallait mettre des timbres de plus pour pouvoir les envoyer à l’étrangère).

En plus, Mélanie m’a écrit toute une lettre au dos de ces six cartes postales (et en papier de plus!). Pendant écrire la lettre, elle tombait sommeilleuse et son écriture devenait de plus en plus courbée. J’adore! Tellement elle était duée à m’écrire qu’elle se forçait ne pas dormir pour pouvoir terminer avec la lettre. Tu vois, alors? Une amie à ne jamais trouver l’égale!

Donc en mai quand j’ai reçu le petit colis de Mélanie et j’ai vue les nombreuses cartes postales, j’ai été vachement etonné voir la carte postale fameuse des Postes Canada incluse! Quel cadeau si spécial!

Kristopher Geda 7/26/21 Kristopher Geda 7/26/21

Mackinac Island (Michigan)

This terrific postcard comes from my nieces and others on their trip earlier this month to the famous Mackinac Island! I haven’t been in at least 20 years I don’t think, but I should revisit it again. I remember being charmed by the carlessness (Who loves streets full of cars?! No one!) and the fresh fudge made before your eyes. I hope they enjoyed the trip as much as I imagine it anyway!