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.

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Frogs Against Fascism (Oregon)

Those who know me know that I detest frogs and toads, and amphibians in general. But this postcard that Linda sent? This is an exception. Everyone is against fascism, except the fascists themselves. And fascists can get fucked. By frogs.

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boy what?! (California)

I mean, even the censored version is still pretty eyebrow raising. I’ve cut off fully 50% of the card that I do not want to put on this page. But I’m happy to send you the full image via text if you like. I can’t believe it was delivered, but I’m not mad at all! Thanks to J&S for this exciting postcard.

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Atlas Stationers (Illinois)

Julian took a trip to Chicago and sent this postcard from Atlas Stationers, a favorite store of our niece. It’s no surprise that J liked it; I’m sure I will too! It was closed last time we were in Chicago and we didn’t get a chance to browse much.

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wanderlust (Australia)

Matty definitely has some wanderlust, and I suppose I do too. What a perfect way to depict it!

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Nägelsförst (Germany)

Here is a postcard that Dominique sent from his visit to the region around Baden-Baden. This winery had an interpretive plaque with several amazing dates, among them:

  • 1268 - wine caves established

  • 1347 - the Black Death

It’s amazing that this winery has been around for so long!

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Hawai’i watercolor

My brother Tristan was in Hawai’i recently visiting some friends, relaxing, and cooking. It sounds like a great way to spend a week!

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l’équilibre perdu - France

Cette pièce a été peinte par l’artiste Bruno Altmayer; j’en ai déjà reçu une exemplaire différente, qui m’a aussi plu. Merci à Dominique qui m’a envoyé cette carte postale avant son fin de semaine en Allemagne dans le Forêt Noir.

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Napa Valley sign (California)

Every time we drive by this sign I wonder if we should stop and take (another photo). It’s just so iconic! I’m glad I got this postcard from Julian and Salvo during their last trip up there to celebrate a good friend’s birthday.

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Santiago skyline (Spain)

My penpal Lino stopped in Santiago de Compostela on a trip recently. He writes that the places really “speak[s] to the soul. What an incredible experience!”

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Chiemsee (Germany)

Stéphane and Dominique highly recommend this beautiful place, despite its high ranking as a tourist destination. Some places are worth it, even with the tourist hype. It sounds like Chiemsee and its castle are definitely among them!

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Brandenburg beach (Germany)

Is it any wonder that Andy chose this postcard to mail me from his short trip to Berlin? He does love a surreal or zany image, and this definitely counts.

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Rosewood postcards (California)

Julian and Salvo made a brief stop at the Rosewood in Palo Alto to celebrate a friend’s baby shower! What a great venue for it.

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Huber Weinmanufaktur 2 (Germany)

Moi aussi j’aime bien quand les vignerons se mettent en avant avec leurs cartes postales. On peut avoir un meilleur sens de leur caractère qui peut-être donnera des influences dans leurs vins.

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Rosewood café (California)

Andy and I stayed at the Rosewood one year to escape the 4th of July fireworks in the city and really enjoyed ourselves. I don’t remember their having postcards, though! Julian and Salvo sent this beautiful reminder of what’s important in life: food, drink, and most of all connection with our dearest loved ones.

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Dawn T (Australia)

One of my favorite kinds of postcards are what I call round-trip postcards, maybe those that started in the US, California, or even San Francisco and then made their way someplace else, only to be sent back. While the physical postcard itself might not have done so, the caption at the bottom indicates the photo is from San Francisco. Thanks to Matty in Australia for sending this one!

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More to come from the past…