If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 782

 

 

 

 

 

Two views of Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona, ca 1950s

[Photograph:  R. M. Fronske]

 

Two views from Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona are featured on this unused souvenir postcard.  The blurb at the upper left corner on the reverse says:  “Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona.  These are two scenes to be seen in the beautiful Oak Creek Canyon on U.S. Highway 39, 20 miles south of Flagstaff, Arizona.  35 mm. Kodachrome slide available at 50c from publisher.  Kodachrome by R.M. Fronske.”  At the bottom left on the reverse:  Pub. By R.M. Fronske, Flagstaff, Ariz.  43201.  On center line is “Made Direct From Kodachrome and Ansco Color by Dexter Press, Pearl River, N.Y.”

Oak Creek Canyon is about 12 miles long and its scenic beauty has been described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon.  It is located in the Coconino National Forest with parts designated as part of the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness and is between Flagstaff and Sedona, Arizona.  Flowing along the bottom of the canyon is Oak Creek, a tributary of the Verde River.   The Forest Service operates several campgrounds, picnic areas, and recreation areas within the park.  Oak Creek is open for swimming and fishing. Many hiking trails are also found here.

 

The photographer is identified as R. (Robert) M. Fronske (1915-1998) who was born and lived in Flagstaff.  He graduated from the New York Institute of Photography in New York City and then returned to Flagstaff where he opened his first studio.  He worked as a photographer for more than 40 years, retiring in 1985.  Northern Arizona University Special Collections and Archives Department has 130,000 of his black-and-white and color photographs, including prints and negatives. 

Kodachrome is the brand name used by Eastman Kodak for color film introduced in 1935.  It was one of the first successful color films available.  This type of film was used for both cinematography and still photography for many years.  The transition to digital photography resulted in near bankruptcy for the company.  Although they still provide film, they also offer digital cameras, such as PixPro, and other digital services.

 

The printer Dexter Press was located in Pearl River, New York from 1928 until 1952 when it moved to New York City.  Rounded edges on cards such as this one were popular during the 1950s.  The number 43201 found at the bottom center on the card refers to the year(s) the card was printed.  This number corresponds the range of cards printed in 1951 (40000-59999) and help date the card.  The Dexter Press Achives are now owned by Diane Allman who sells cards at shows and online as the QUEENOFCHROME.  She was the founding editor of “Postcard Collector Magazine.” 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Creek_Canyon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachrome

https://postcardhistory.net/2021/10/dating-dexter-press-postcards/

http://azarchivesonline.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/nau/fronske.xml&doc.view=print;chunk.id=0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodak

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 781

 

 

 

 

 

The Ballroom, Chateau de Fountainbleau, France

 

Featured on this unused color postcard is the ballroom of the Palace of Fountainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France.  The divided back card with “Editions Epic, Paris, DRAEGER imp..”, printed on the center line on the back.  There is a blurb at the upper left corner on the back in French and English.  The English version:  “Dates from the end of Francis the first-s reign.  Decorated under Henry the second with fresco-paintings (mythological and allegorical subjects) by Primaticcio and Nicolo dell’Abbate.” 

 

Draeger & Lesieur was a French printing business founded by Charle Daeger in 1886.  After his death in 1899 his wife took over the business and changed the name to Draeger Freres or Draeger Brothers.  In 1907 she joined with an American advertising company, Wallace.  The name was then changed to Wallace & Draeger, one of the first communication agencies.  The company reached its peak between World War I and World War II.  In 1954 Draeger joined the Colbert Committee.  The grandson of Charles Draeger, Claude Draeger, then launched Draeger editions.  He published large format books with works by Braque, Salvador Dali, Magritte and Pablo Picasso.  The Draeger-Dali has sold more than 300,000 copies.  In the 1970s the company was acquired by the Gaillard-Motel family.  They began making wallpaper; however, that did not prevent the company from going bankrupt with the publishing activity ending in the 1980s.  The Draeger printing house archives were dispersed in 1990.  The information about the printing firm helps to guess at a date for the card in the 1950s or 1960s,

 

The Palace of Fountainebleau is located about 34 miles or 55 kilometers southeast of Paris.  It is one of the largest of the French castles.  Several French monarchs used it as a hunting lodge and autumn residence.  The earliest royal residence was under Louis VII in about 1137.  Eventually it gradually transformed into a palace filled with art and decoration.  The ballroom shown on the card was created by King Henry II beginning in 1552.  Art work in the form of frescos and oils were primarily done by two artists:  Italian, Francesco Primaticci, (1504-1570), and Italian artist, Niccolò dell’ Abbate (1512-1571). 

 

In 1981 Fountainebleau was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The name was taken from a natural fresh water spring located in the English garden near the château.  In 1622 Henry Peacham (1578-ca 1644), English poet and writer, wrote it “is the purest and fairest fountaine esteemed in the world…”  Because it was far away from the Paris uprisings during the French Revolution it not suffer any significant damage. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Fountainebleau

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niccol%C3%B2_dell%27Abbate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Primaticcio

https://www.rhodesianstudycircle.org.uk/draeger-freres/

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 780

 

 

 

 

13 – LYON – Le Sanctuaire de Fourvière et la Ville, vue prise de la Tour Métallique., ca 1918-1920s 

English:  LYON – The Fourvière Sanctuary and the city, view from the Metal Tower

 

This unused Vintage postcard features an aerial view black & white photograph of the Shrine of Notre-Dame (Our Lady) de Fourviére and the surrounding city of Lyon.  The picture was taken from the landmark metal tower of Lyon.  The card has a divided back and the typical greenish color often found on cards of this era.  The P ND and hot. logo at the lower right on the front and the printer/publisher’s name on the left side margin on the reverse “Aciens Etab. Neudein et cie – imp. Crété Sicc/ Corbeil-Paris.  English:  Formerly Neurdein & Co. – Crété Printing Works, Corbeil-Paris,” help date the card from 1917-18 when the Neurdein photography-postcard company changed ownership, and the 1920s when the new owners retained part of the same name and continued to use Neurdein photographs on the cards.  The perforated left edge of the card indicates it was removed from a set of souvenir cards in a booklet.

 

The shire dedicated to Our Lady at Fourvière has existed here since 1170.  It has always been a popular place of pilgrimage.  There have been several instances when the Virgin Mary is credited with saving the city.  As examples, once during a pandemic of bubonic plague that swept Europe in 1643, again during a Cholera epidemic in 1832, and during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871 when the city was saved from invasion.  Each year in December thanks are given to the Virgin for saving the city by lighting candles throughout the city in an event called the Fête des Lumières or Festival of Lights. 

 

Over the centuries the chapel and other parts of the building have been rebuilt with the most recent major work done in 1852 when the former steeple was replaced by a tower with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary. 

 

The metallic tower was built between 1892 and 1894.  There is a noticeable resemblance to the Eiffel Tower that was built about three years later.  In 1914 when there was an Exposition held in Lyon the tower had a restaurant and an elevator to take visitors up to the top.  It was used as an observation tower until 1953.  Today it is a television tower and is not accessible to the public.  It is the highest point in Lyon at 372 meters or 1,220 ft tall.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Notre-Dame_de_Fourvi%C3%A8re

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallic_tower_of_Fourvi%C3%A8re

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 779

  

 

 

 

 

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 779

 

114- LYON – Monument des Enfants du Rhône et l’entrée de Parc de la Tète-d’Or, ca 1918-1920s

 

This is an unused souvenir Vintage Postcard that was removed from a booklet set of postcards.  It has the typical greenish color on the reverse that was common for the time.  The title in English:  Park of the Head of Gold refers to a legend that says a treasure with a Christ’s head could be buried in the park.  The number 114 and the logo P with ND and (P)hot.. are found at the lower right corner.  The left edge is perforated where the card was removed from the booklet.  On the reverse left side margin is: “Aciens Etab. Neudein et cie – imp. Crété Sicc/ Corbeil-Paris.  English:  Formerly Neurdein & Co. – Crété Printing Works, Corbeil-Paris.  The photography studio of the brothers, Étienne and Antonin Neurdein, established in 1864 was reorganized in 1915. The company was sold after the death of Étienne Neurdein in December 1917 to Imprimerie Crété in Corbeil (1917-1918).  The new owners continued to use the Neurdein plates under the combined names.

 

The monument shown in the picture is known as the Monument to the Children of Rhône.  It is dedicated to the soldiers from Lyon who died during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.  Created by the sculptor Étienne Pagny in 1887 it is located at the entrance to the park.  The monument consists of a bronze statue of a woman with a flag, a trumpeter, and a lion’s head near the inscription.  It stands in front of a stone hemi-circle.  Public subscriptions financed the monument. 

 

This park is the largest urban park in Lyon, France and includes a botanical garden, a small zoo, and a lake.  During the summer there is boating on the lake.  The park also has a velodrome, mini golf, a mini train, equestrian facility and other sports equipment.  It is popular place for joggers and cyclists.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_des_enfants_du_Rh%C3%B4ne

 [Note:  I am leaving this link here with the note that it does not always load.  Try searching for:  Monument des Enfants du Rhône.  There should be an English translation option.]

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parc_de_la_T%C3%AAte_d%27or

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 778

 

 

 

 

 

15 - Troyes, Panorama, France, ca 1910

 

This is a used Vintage postcard with a black and white photograph of the city of Troyes located in the department of Aube in the Grand Est region of northeastern France.  Along the left upper margin, the postcard company is identified as Collection, I.G.  The back of the card is divided.  The handwritten message includes the date:  May 19, 1910.  The message reads:  “Dear Selma, I spent last Thursday in Troyes but found no time to write postals.  Troyes is a lovely large historic city.  The trip was interesting.  I also visited a Lycié- a French state school.  And I am so enthusiastic about it that I would get right into one if I could.  Helas!  I do not know how soon I shall be called home.  I am waiting for letters.  Yours with love, Frieda.”  Note:  Frieda and Selma share the same surname suggesting that they might be have been sisters or cousins.

 

Some prehistoric remains of a settlement in the Troyes area date to as early as 600 BC.  Celtic grave-mounds have been found near the city, and artifacts have been excavated from the city.  During the Roman Empire the city was known as Augustobona Tricassium.  It was a place where highways intersected with Via Agrippa connections to Reims, Langres, Milan, Poitiers, Autun and Oreléans.   

 

By the 4^th century the people had become Christian and the city became a seat of a bishop.  An early cathedral was constructed on the site where the current one stands today.  There was a great fire in 1524 that destroyed much of the medieval city.  However, there are still many half-timbered houses from that time period that have survived.  Because Troyes did not suffer from bombing during World War I or II, it also still has a number of old religious buildings that were built after the fire that are located close to the center of the city.  The Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral is the tall structure found in the back center of the photo on the card.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troyes

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 777

  

 

 

 

 

 

Versailles, France -- Palais du Grand-Trianon, Chambre de la Reine d’Angleterre, ca. early 1900s

[Translation:  Versailles, France – Grand Trianon Palace, Queen’s Bedroom (of England).] 

 

This unused, divided back postcard only has the title on the front of the card, no photographer, publisher, printer or identification code is on the front or the reverse of the card.  The card looks similar to others dating from the early 1900s.  Featured on this Vintage postcard is a photograph of what is mislabeled the Versailles Bedroom of the Queen [of England]; however, it does not look quite like the Queen’s bedroom as it is today.  There have been renovations and restorations since the card was published.  Much was destroyed during the French Revolution (1789-1799).  What is displayed now is thought to be close to what it looked like before the Revolution.

 

Since these chambers were reserved for the use of the reigning queens of France, it appears the title on the card was mislabeled as for the Queen of England.  Three French Queens used the room:  Marie-Therese the wife of Louis XIV; Marie Leszczynska, wife of Louis XV; and Marie-Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI. 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the castle there are information placards explaining each display.

 

 

A view of the upper part of the bed.

 

When I visited Versailles in 2012, I took a few pictures.  Versailles is an extremely popular tourist destination.  There were crowds of people in all the rooms and it was nearly impossible to get good pictures without people standing in front of something interesting.  Doors concealed by tapestries lead to small spaces or rooms.  These doors allowed the Queen to move discreetly to other areas of the castle.  They also allowed the King discreet access to the Queen's quarters.  Marie-Antoinette was said to have escaped through one of the secret doors during the French Revolution when Versailles was stormed by mobs of people. 

 

Visitors are issued ear-buds and a self-tour recording that provides historical information about each of the rooms. 

 

The Queen would have spent most of her time in her quarters, even receiving guests.  Trivia fact, the Queen’s bed was wider than the King’s bed since he joined her in her quarters.  This was also the room where births took place in public.  A total of nineteen children were born in these quarters. 

 

 

  

The ceiling decorations were created for Marie-Therese, wife of Louis XIV.

 

During the French Revolution the Queen’s bedroom was completely emptied of furniture and décor.  Replicas of the balustrade, the bed, and replacement period furniture help make the room look like it did when the Queens lived here.  

 

 

   

The Hall of Mirrors.  This picture provides a glimpse of how many people are walking through the castle at any moment.

 

For more information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles

https://en.wikipedia.org/Grand-appartement_de_la-reine

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_apartment_at_Versailles

https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/palace/queen-apartments#the-queens-bedchamber

 

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 776

 

 

 

 

 

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, Bushnell Park, Hartford, Connecticut

 

A color photograph of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Bushnell Park, Hartford, Connecticut is featured on this unused Dexter Press Inc. postcard.  Dexter Press is located in West Nyack, New York.  The card was published by NATCO as a Natural Color Cards Co., Ridgefield Park, N.J. 07660.  The code 60-B appears at the lower left corner on the reverse.  At the upper left corner on the reverse is a blurb:  “Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch.  Erected in 1856, on the edge of Bushnell Park, Hartford, Conn.  Both two letter abbreviations for U.S. states and postal zip codes began in 1963.  Because the publisher’s address includes a postal Zip code, and the state is abbreviated as Conn. Instead of CT, we can estimate the date of the card to be in close to 1963. This was confirmed when I checked the Dexter Press Inventory numbers.  Series 60-B was printed in 1963.  Dexter started using a high gloss finish seen on this card with a color picture also around 1960.

 

The Memorial Arch honors the 4,000 Hartford citizens who served in the American Civil War.  That total includes 400 who gave their lives for the Union cause.  It was the first permanent memorial arch to be built in America.  Notice the difference in the date on the blurb, 1856, and the actual conception and completion dates of 1879 and 1886.  George Keller, architect desined the arch.  The Gothic arch is flanked by two Norman Towers.  Spanning the arch is a classical frieze was designed by Samuel James Kitson.  It has statues telling the story of the war.  General Ulysses S. Grant is surveying his troops and Marines leaping from a boat to rush Confederate troops.  The central female figure represents the City of Hartford and is surrounded by her citizens welcoming the soldiers home after the war ends.  The Navy is represented by an anchor, the Artillery by a crossed cannon, crossed sabers for the Cavalry, and crossed rifles for the Infantry.  Other statues on the arch include a mason, a carpenter, a blacksmith, and a farmer.

 

Built in 1868 Bushnell Park is the second oldest publicly funded park in the United States.  In 1970 the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldiers_and_Sailors_Memorial_Arch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushnell_Park

https://postcardhistory.net/2021/10/dating-dexter-press-postcards/