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.
University of Iowa
Sadly, several of the postcards that Nozomi sent me from the University of Iowa didn’t make it. I’m so glad this one did! Very interestingly, the building in the center used to be the Iowa Capitol.
Greetings from Flint, Michigan
My childhood best-friend Daniel sent this beautifully vintage postcard to wish me a happy birthday. What a lovely image of the city near where I grew up!
meet me at Charlie’s (California)
Julian and Salvo discovered this place on a recent trip to Napa. They really enjoyed the lunch at Charlie’s!
Victoria, BC meet up
Ray must have attended a PostCrossing MeetUp in Victoria. What a beautiful postcard, both the art and the texture.
Warsaw overview (Poland)
Andy wrote this postcard from a gay bar in Poland. I wonder what gay life is like there?
a bao summer day (United Kingdom)
My brother-in-law Tristan said he and his friend ate at this restaurant twice, it was that good!
the fatal American need (California)
Julian and Salvo sent this postcard as part of their birthday wishes for me, and I have to agree with the sentiment (both here and what they wrote on the back)!
fireworks over Warsaw (Poland)
Andy was in Poland earlier this month for work and wrote this postcard from the gigantic mall across from the hotel he stayed in. He wrote that it was packed like a pre-CoVID-19 Christmas time!
Aussie workaholic (Australia)
I can’t help but think that the wear mark on this postcard are homophobic, but which postal system is to blame?
Valencia (California)
This beautifully-textured postcard comes from Julian and Salvo who sent it while in California, despite having originated in Valencia on their trip earlier this year.
Common Loon (Michigan)
How do I not hear “Stupid Canadian Wolf Bird” when I see this postcard, despite its origination in Michigan! My aunt sent this to me to help me celebrate my birthday.
San Benedetto del Tronto (Italy)
My penpal Lino had a get together with the whole family on a short trip. They’re enjoying summer even as it wanes for the year.
Christiansborg Palace (Denmark)
Kay and Pei visited Copenhagen in early August and accidentally stumbled upon Pride! They sent this postcard from New Hampshire since Denmark suspended its postal system.
a dandy bonne fête (Canada)
This postcard comes with a bevy of delicious stickers on the back from my penpal Ray who sends his best birthday wishes!
Dore Alley bear (California)
This postcard I had to censor; you can imagine what I had to cut out! Thanks to Julian and Salvo for raising our eyebrows!
Aschaffenburg (Germany)
Tobias and Philipp traveled back to Germany for some fun, some family events, and some traveling.
art nude (Australia)
Matty definitely knows how to pick the postcards! He’s debating adopting another kitten, but can’t quite figure out the cat-care situation!
Yi script (China)
Han is traveling with her family in southwest China; this village is the home of the Yi people, the 6th-largest ethnic minority in China. Next to the Mandarin 大石板 is the Yi script.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (China)
My former student Han sent me this photo from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain where she’s visiting. I believe she took this photo, as she’s an accomplished photographer and graphic designer. You should see her handwriting, too!
belated Father’s Day (California)
Julian and Salvo spent the weekend in Napa, presumably to celebrate a birthday, and they visited one of our favorite wineries, sending this “…interesting…” card, as they put. I think it’s delightful!