Collecting Old Postcards

05/16/05 12:32 AM

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Collecting Old Postcards

We have said it before, but in case you missed it you may discover some unique lighthouse history on the back of old postcards, and they don’t necessarily have to be lighthouse postcards.

The back of the antique post card with the U.S. Battleship “Minnesota” is addressed to Mr. Clinton Harrington, Light Station, Alcatraz Island, CA. It is dated July 3, 1909 and is from someone named Lillian who is responding to a get well card that the keeper had mailed to her.

The antique postcard of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse is address to someone named John and it says, “This is my home, U.S. Light House, Chicago.” Unfortunately, we can’t make out the name of the person who signed it.

The other postcard simply says, Lighthouse and Keeper Point Loma, CA. We have no idea of the year of the postcard, but are guessing 1904-1918. The card has no postmark or any other information.

If you have old lighthouse postcards or related lighthouse post cards that you would like to donate to the Museum of Lighthouse History they can be sent to: American Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 1690, Wells, ME 04090. In the mean time, keep searching the antique stores, and attics, you never know what you may discover.

This story appeared in the July 2002 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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