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.

Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

printed circuit board (California)

Paul ordered a printed circuit board from China and enclosed int he package was this terrific postcard. It’s kind of campy, yeah?

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welcome to beautiful (Colorado)

This is a final postcard from Alyssa’s trip to visit her brother and sister-in-law, which she took with her mom (and I think her step-dad went, too?).

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Yoshitani series 34/100

Perhaps it’s the pair of people in these windows that drew Julian to send it, to celebrate the return of Salvo to the home. Our houses often seem too small with them and too small without them.

The Snow Queen

Denmark, Danish Fairy Tale

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Salt Lake City downtown (Utah)

A second postcard from Andy’s trip to Salt Lake City. It can’t be denied that SLC is a really pretty town (and crazy clean too!).

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Hermann Fritsche & Co. (Germany)

Voici une belle peinture de Jan Balet, et Dominique m’envoie ses interprétations de la famille vue ici. C’est ça la beauté et l’interêt de l’art: comment le voyent les autres? Qu’est-ce que nous avons en commun?

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Yoshitani series 32/100

Lots of house work kept Julian very busy while Salvo was out of town. It sounds like a lot to handle, but I’m glad it’s all behind them now.

The Three Princesses of Whiteland

Norway, Norwegian Fairy Tale

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vintage thanks (California)

I love these vintage postcards. Not only is the size very cute, but I also appreciate the texture of these postcards. They’re almost 3D, at least in a light way. Where do Kimee and Michael find these gorgeous postcards?

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Yoshitani series 31/100

It seems appropriate that Julian should write about overindulgence when sending a card featuring Chiron, how was reputed to not be so bacchanal as his species-mates.

Chiron

Greece, Greek Mythology

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cute stationery (California)

What a darling postcard! I love the cats and of course all of the stationery. Kimee writes that she hasn’t tried her fountain pen in a few months but maybe this postcard will inspire her?

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Yoshitani series 30/100

Julian writes that Salvo is away for a conference and that it’s a mixed experience. That mirrors my own; it’s nice to have the place to one’s self once in a while, but you also miss your partner dearly.

Bai Suzhen

China, Chinese Legend

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20th Century poppies (California)

Kimee and Michael were battling seasonal allergies, but that didn’t deter them from enjoying the Community Fest in Cole Valley where they got this postcard and a terrific “MUNI Slut” t-shirt!

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Yoshitani series 29/100

Julian and Salvo write that this reminds them of the Alhambra, which I haven’t visited yet - unbelievable since I love pomegranates so much!

The Pate Kingdom

Kenya, Swahili Epic

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Garden of the Gods comet (Colorado)

Hunter and Gabby spent some time just enjoying the beautiful park and a great meal with Alyssa. They found time to send this postcard!

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Yoshitani series 28/100

Oh the joys of home ownership, indeed! Not long after replacing their dying tree, they discovered a problem with the water heater. Here’s hoping for a simple, permanent, and cheap fix!

The Phoenix

East Asia, East Asian Mythology

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Yoshitani series 27/100

What is it with the weather? Can it be true: we’re never actually satisfied? When it’s rainy, we want sun. When it’s sunny, we want rain. All well, at least everyone is getting a little bit of what they want!

Officiant-Fox Wedding

From the Artist’s Collection

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More to come from the past…