Real Photo Postcards

"Dreamland at Legat Garden. Boudnek Photo. 58." This "Dreamland" castle was constructed in the 1920s by a man named John Legat as part of a garden in Fox River Grove, Illinois, that also included a wishing well, windmill, and fountain. Legat, who was married to the town's doctor, gave tours of his garden and sold postcard views of it (including, possibly, this one). Legat's land was later turned into building lots, and the garden gave way to a neighborhood of houses. Some of Legat's structures--including the castle--still remain, although they're in a state of disrepair. Check out Google Maps for a current view of the castle, which is located in a front yard at the corner of Grove and Lincoln avenues in Fox River Grove. For additional information, see the article, " Fox River Grove’s Other Castle ," which was originally published in the Northwest Herald , June 7, 2011. (The title of the article refers to another castle that's a full-size residence known as Castle Vianden or Bettendorf Castle; see the Wikipedia entry for Fox River Grove, Illinois , which provides a brief history and photo of this second castle.)

Anyone know where this big bunny hopped off to? I couldn't find any trace of him through Google. For another roadside rabbit posing with small children, see The Rabbits Aren't Really That Big .

"While dressed up in my very best, I wish you luck and all the rest." Postmarked: Tunbridge Falls, 27 Sep 13. Addressed to: Miss Hornsby, c/o Mrs. Fail, 180 Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Falls. Message: "Dear Joyce, I expect you are very glad your birthday has come. I hope you will have a very happy one. Lots of love and kisses from Auntie Mary." The previous owner of this real photo postcard referred to the distinguished Edwardian feline as "Sir Reginald Pussycat."

A glasses photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park . Well, no, this is probably not silent film star Harold Lloyd and his father, but the men's distinctive round glasses and straw hats are certainly reminiscent of the ones Lloyd wore in early comedies like 1923's Safety Last! (see it on YouTube: Harold Lloyd's "Safety Last " - 1923 ).

Not to be confused with the Steel Pier Jail in Atlantic City, N.J. 8-)

Mouse over the top of this real photo postcard to see a close-up of the turkey . "With Thanksgiving seasons greetings." Postmarked: Big Rapids, Mich., Nov. 23 and 24, 1908. Addressed to: Ethel Finnan, 606 S. Mich. Ave., Big Rapids, Mich. Message on back: "Dear Ethel, Your card and letter both received and glad to hear you are prospering. We are very busy these days. All my turkeys to market besides the geese and chickens. I've made two pretty dresses the last two weeks. Tate Pearson came up and stayed while we both made her dress. She and Hoddie called this p.m. Lydia. These cards are our own make. Nov. 22/08."

See also the full version of this real photo postcard. "With Thanksgiving seasons greetings." Postmarked: Big Rapids, Mich., Nov. 23 and 24, 1908. Addressed to: Ethel Finnan, 606 S. Mich. Ave., Big Rapids, Mich. Message on back: "Dear Ethel, Your card and letter both received and glad to hear you are prospering. We are very busy these days. All my turkeys to market besides the geese and chickens. I've made two pretty dresses the last two weeks. Tate Pearson came up and stayed while we both made her dress. She and Hoddie called this p.m. Lydia. These cards are our own make. Nov. 22/08."

Trimmed real photo postcard. No date or location information.

These six fellows evidently got their picture taken before they headed out hither and yon for a wild night of zithering (or, more specifically, autoharping ).

A home sweet home photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park . Handwritten on the back of this real photo postcard: "How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood." The words written on the back of the photo refer to a line from "The Old Oaken Bucket," a poem written by Samuel Woodworth (1784-1842) that was first set to music in 1826 and has become a popular song that's endured over the years. The poem begins: How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recollection presents them to view! The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wild-wood, And every loved spot which my infancy knew! Whoever wrote on the back of the photo presumably had "fond recollections" of living here as a child and must have considered it a "home sweet home" (which itself is a reference to another song that also dates to the early nineteenth century). The namesake "gold elms" are visible just behind the house, which is a Colonial Revival Cape Cod , an architectural style common in the United States from the 1930s to 1950s. I'm not sure whether the dog that's visible among the shadows in the lower right-hand corner is there to welcome or to warn off the photographer.

"Mr. Santa Claus. Santa Claus, Ariz., on Hiway 93. Gallup Photo." Stamped on the back of this real photo postcard: "Santa Claus, Arizona, via Box 373, Kingman." See Wikipedia's Santa Claus, Arizona article for the story of what is now an "uninhabited desert town" and how it used to be a Santa-themed tourist attraction.

In addition to the musical instruments--a bass, guitar, mandola (I think), another guitar, accordion, and jug --that the members of this country-western band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, are holding, there are also three more--a banjo, musical saw , and fiddle--on the floor in front of the group.

"First Snow. Log Cabin Inn. F&J." Date and location unknown.

Or Joyeux Noël? Although "Happy New Year" is the French greeting on this hand-colored real photo postcard, the greenery, snowman, and red and green coloring seem to suggest a Christmas scene.

A real photo postcard, possibly from York, Pa. Date unknown.

A hand colored photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park . "Vœux Sincères. Dédé, Paris, 1200." This French hand-tinted real photo postcard combines images of a house, flowers, and a carload of babies to deliver a message of "Vœux Sincères" (sincere wishes) for the New Year.

Probably one of those blue-collar workers.