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.
money can't buy… (Oregon)
And the truth is, he doesn't even have that much money. He acts like he's the richest person on the planet, but he's a failed businessman again and again. Pathetic.
Easter Virtual MeetUp (Finland)
Jussi sends his greetings from another great virtual meet up! He also reports that Haka, his favorite team, has already played three games, winning to!
Foreign Cinema (California)
Julian and Salvo visited this SF institution not too long ago and picked up a postcard to send to us! I'm not made at all is it combines all the best things in life: best friends, great food, and excellent movies.
Butchart Gardens (Canada)
A few weeks ago, Ray and his husband went to Butchart Gardens to see the beautiful spring display. Andy and I are planning a trip to Vancouver, so we'll definitely see if we can find some time to visit the gardens!
Grupp IV, nr. 10 De tio största, Ålderdomen, 1907 (Sweden)
My friend Johanna found time to send this postcard just a few weeks after welcoming another child to her family! Congratulations! I've never heard of Hilma af Klint, but this piece is really beautiful. I'll be reading more!
Fori Imperiali (Italy)
Lino has been traveling around quite a bit and sends this “hello” (or maybe "ciao") from Rome, “full of history!” He also saw Cirque du Soleil's “Alegria” while there.
jock pack (Australian)
What a fun collection of drawings! Matty writes, "…Instead of one [jock strap], you can have 6 haha”! Who doesn't love abundance?
Teddy Sandoval (Massachusetts)
Mejdulene visited this exhibit and really loved Sandoval's work! i have to admit I have never heard of this artist but Mejdulene can only be right in recommending that I would love it!
Bottoms up! (Canada)
What a fun photo! I wonder what the real context is? Ray sends this hello from British Columbia!
scorci vaticani (Germany)
Lino was traveling in Berlin for the weekend, and a few days prior he had visited the Vatican City. What a nice portrait of the late Pope Francis.
Tower Bridge bear (California)
Kimee ran a terrific half marathon race in Sacramento last month and still found time to send this postcard on her trip to Central California!
Gregangelo Museum (California)
One of the many things that make Kimee and Michael such great friends is their great dedication to the city we all call home. Kimee found out about this museum recently, which none of us had encountered before!
Oakland - Pitt (Pennsylvania)
Along with a terrific gift, our good friends Kay and Pei, sent this postcard that they picked up in Pittsburgh where we used to live! Thank you two so much!
Greetings from Cole Valley (California)
It's an embarrassment of riches with these beautiful, local postcards that Michael and Kimee are sending! Shouldn't all our neighborhoods have a town square?
Flora Grubb Gardens (Californias)
Kimee and Michael attended Cole Valley Nights where there was an abundance of postcards! This is from local business Flora Grubb Gardens which provided the gorgeous planters outside the N Judah stop at Carl Street. Support your local businesses, please!
Canberra anime scene (Australia)
Matty is responding to a slew of postcards I sent him (in response to a slew of those he sent me! It's a delicious, vicious cycle). This is a great illustration entitled “The Canberra La Niña Sky Cetacea Migration.” This is no doubt a reference to The Skywhale.
Stuttgart (Germany)
My penpal Lino was in Stuttgart celebrating his daughter's birthday! I'm envious of his travel, but I'm glad he enjoyed the trip!
bookshelf fantasy (Australia)
My penpal from the capital area of Australia responded to a postcard I sent a while ago soliciting book recommendations. He demured, saying he's not much of a reader. Nonetheless, he recommended: Holding the Man, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Cloudstreet, and Boy Swallows Universe. I'll look for them!
lions and tiger and bears (Illinois)
Emily and Carter went to the Lincoln Park Zoo last weekend and enjoyed seeing more animals than ever before. My pro-tip for zoos is to go as early as possible; I think most animals are more active early in the morning and then sleep during the mid-day (when most humans want to be in the zoo).
our old haunt (Pennsylvania)
What a great postcard to receive from my old friend and her wife! They were visiting Pittsburgh, our old haunt where we met, and sent this postcard!