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.
who’s bad (Australia)
It’s too bad when a beautiful card like this comes with sad news; unfortunately, Matty had to say goodbye to his eldest cat, Dexter. Losing a beloved family member is such at trauma; I hope Monty and Fred can bring Matty some solace during these difficult weeks.
Yoshitani series 24/100
Julian got back from a work trip to Denver where the altitude (and cold) made him feel very dehydrated. Perhaps it’s appropriate, geographically, that this be the card to herald his return from the mountains region!
White Buffalo Woman
North Dakota, Lakota Deity
a joyous Easter (California)
This postcard was unsigned but I was able to track down the handwriting to see that it came from Julian and Salvo. They say they found it in a vintage store in San Diego and sent it! On the back, there’s some light handwriting in pencil. What a fun bit of history!
dogie style (California)
Julian and Salvo sent this vintage postage from a shop in Hillcrest! Given how busy they were, I’m really touched that they took the time and effort to send not one, but three postcards!
psychedelic San Diego (California)
Salvo writes about the very strong sun in San Diego, something I also noticed on a brief trip I took last year! I think overall the sun is stronger in California than other parts of the US.
Bluestocking Books (California)
What a cute bookstore for Julian and Salvo to find during their trip to San Diego! I didn’t get to visit it, but it’s on my list for my next trip to SD.
Statue of Liberty National Monument (New York)
Tobias and Philipp were visiting New York City last month, and despite the heat, they really enjoyed it!
AI god (Australia)
This is a very pretty image, titled “1st Image in the Series of Men in Cloth”. I wonder if there are more to come?
hear hear (Oregon)
I can only say: I completely agree. Deport that laminated-face of a sunnuvabitch. Thanks, Linda, for this great postcard.
Puget Sound (Washington)
What a fantastic, illustrated map card - among my favorite genres! Kimee sent this from Washington while she was braving a travel nightmare. <3 <3 <3
sur le pont d’Avignon (France)
Vous le saviez déjà, mon cher lecteur/ma chère lectrice, qui m’avait envoyée une telle belle carte postale: c’est mon ami Dominique qui j’ai beaucoup hâte de voir en juin!
I am searching… (Washington)
What a beautiful postcard with a great poem attached from our dear friend Kimee who was forced to make the best of a very bad travel situation in Seattle. I’m glad this coffee house could come to the rescue!
“I am searching for the moment,
I’m so intoxicated with love
when Saqi says ‘Take one more glass’
and I could not take it!”
-Omar Khayyam
Lavaloha Chocolate (Hawai’i)
My brother-in-law Tristan was just in Hawai’i and sent these beautiful greetiLavalohangs from Lavaloha where he had some delicious, authentic white chocolate!
poulet flambé Vallée d’Auge (France)
Les cartes postales arrivent quand ile veulent, et Dominique écrit que les miennes sont arrivées il y a quelques jours depuis mon séjour à Vancouver, Canada. Voici autre recette que je n’ai jamais goûté, main j’en veut bien!
Death Valley Nat’l Park (California)
Matt took a solo trip to Death Valley earlier this month for some photography. Despite the loneliness of the trip, it sounds like it was a good one! Lots to photograph; I can’t wait to see them!
Big Country (California)
Michael sends this as thanks for hosting him for a quick pop-by on his way to the Roxy to see the Best Shorts! It’s such a privilege to live in a city where your friends are passing through all the time.
Lookout (California)
How did I miss the postcards when we were here earlier this month with my cousin and her boyfriend, and the inimitable Julian and Salvo. I’m sure I wouldn’t have missed this soccer player had he been there!
Chinese New Year wishes (New Hampshire)
Kay and Pei send us their greetings for a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year, along with these symbols that bring all of the good luck and fortune for the holiday.
How stars dine (Canada)
It’s such a pleasure when someone knows you well enough to send a postcard like this one. Thanks, Ray - it’s divine!
“How Stars Dine” (1950), Frederick March (Photography by Philippe Halsman)
Hjort’s deer (Sweden)
My friend Jörg rented a cabin in Charlottenberg, Sweden and found this beautiful painting in a charity shop. It’s still quite frozen there in Sweden, with lots of snow and frozen lakes!