If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 704

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Praying Monk, Camelback Mountain, Arizona [photo by Norton Louis Avery], ca 1960s

 

As can be noticed at the bottom of this unused postcard featuring the rock formation called The Praying Monk, there are deckled or scalloped edges.  The edging goes completely around the card, but the scan cuts off the top and sides with only the bottom showing the complete edge.  Deckled or scalloped edges were first popular in the 1930s and were found on postcards until about 1950.  After a brief disappearance, the edging returned and was popular during the 1950s and 1960s.  This card looks like it was probably one of those published in the 1960s. 

 

The card was published by Pettey Studios, of Phoenix, Arizona.  On the reverse, the code K-376 is found to the left of the credit to the color photography by Avery.  At the bottom of the center is also the numbers 64850.  A blurb is found at the upper left corner of the reverse:  “The Praying Monk.  Near Phoenix, Arizona.  On the North side of Camelback Mountain Nature created The Praying Monk, who—according to tradition, keeps constant vigil over Paradise Valley and The Valley of the Sun.”  The praying monk is the smaller rock formation on the left side of the larger one identified as Camelback Mountain, due to its likeness to a kneeling camel’s hump. 

 

Camelback Mountain is part of the Phoenix Mountain range in Maricopa County, Arizona.  It is a popular recreation area for hiking and rock climbing.  Efforts were made to first include Camelback Mountain as part of reservation acreage for the Pima and Maricopa American Indian tribes in 1879 but the decision was reversed six months after President Rutherford B. Hayes included it.  In the 1910s efforts were made again to try and protect the area as a natural preserve.  That also failed and by the 1960s nearly all the area had been sold to private interests.  State authorities attempted to stop development above the 1600 ft but that also failed.  It wasn’t until Senator Barry Goldwater took up the case and helped secure higher elevations against development in 1965 that some of the area was preserved.  It became a Phoenix city park in 1968.  “Camelback Mountain is designated a Phoenix Point of Pride.”

 

For additional information, see:

 

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

 

https://www.summitpost.org/the-praying-monk/763888

 

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 703

 

 

 

 

 

The USS Natchez [photo by Robert M. Parker], ca 1975

 

This unused postcard features a photograph of the Sternwheeler Natchez by Robert M. Parker.  The card was published by Grant L. Robertson, Metairie, Louisiana and has the code:  GLR-C-107 at the center bottom on the reverse.  There is a blurb at the upper left corner on the reverse:  “Sternwheeler Natchez.  The newest, largest all steel sternwheeler steamer excursion boat built in the U.S. in this century [1975].  She offers daily and nightly cruises on the Mississippi River, departing from Toulouse Street Wharf near Jackson Square.”  New Orleans, City of Enchantment is found to the right of the blurb.  Found above the blurb and along the left side margin on the reverse are black & white ink drawings of local New Orleans attractions.

 

The USS Natchez shown on the card is the ninth sternwheel steamboat with that name.  The name comes from the Natchez people and the city, Natchez, located on the Mississippi River.  In addition to the other steamboats, four naval vessels also used the name.  This version was not modeled after the original boat.  Instead, it was modeled after two other steamboats, the Hudson and the Virginia.  It has materials taken from several other boats.  The steam engines were built in 1925 for the steamboat Clairton.  The steering system also came from the Clairton.  A copper bell, made from 250 melted silver dollars, came from the SS J.D. Ayres.  A copper acorn that fits on the bell was taken from the Avalon and the Delta Queen.  The Avalon is now known as the Belle of Louisville.  The wheel is made of white oak.  The whistle was salvaged from a ship that sank in 1908.  The Natchez is mostly made of steel to comply with U.S. Coast Guard rules. 

 

The Natchez IX was temporarily out of service due to an onboard fire in 2022 that was put out by firefighters.  Service was able to resume in 2023.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchez_(boat)

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 702

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Bridge, Virginia with poem by B.B. Valentine

 

Two postcards of the same place are shared this week. Above is an unused Marken & Bielfeld, Inc., of Frederick , Md. Featuring two color photographs.  At the upper right corner is the number 122.  On the reverse on the upper left side is a blurb:  “The Natural Bridge of Virginia is located in Rockbridge County a few miles to the west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Length of bridge, 90 ft., width averages 100 ft., height 215 ft, 40 ft. thick.  Granted from George III on July 5, 1774, to Thomas Jefferson 157 acres, which included the bridge on Cedar Creek which flows under it.”  The poem, In Old Virginia,” is attributed to B.B. Valentine.  The card was found and purchased from a local antique mall.  

 

 The second card, shown below, is a used Uberman Novelty Co., Washington, D.C. card dated August 7, 1951.  The blurb on the reverse at the upper left:  "UN-15  Natural Bridge Va.  Formed by nature, Natural Bridge is one of the Seven Wonders of the world.  The Lee Highway, U.S. #11, passes over the top of the bridge, which is 55 feet higher than Niagara Falls."

 

Natural Bridge, Virginia, ca 1951

 

The geological formation bridge is situated within a gorge carved from the surrounding limestone by Cedar Creek.  Cedar Creek is a small tributary of the James River.  The bridge has been a Virginia Historic Landmark and National Historic Landmark.  It has been managed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as Natural Bridge State Park since 2016.  Visitors have to purchase a ticket to view the bridge from below.  There is a trail under the bridge along Cedar Creek and by Lace Falls.  There are protective fences along the top of the bridge where U.S. Route 11, also known as the Lee Highway, is located. 

 

The Native American Monacan tribe considers the Natural Bridge a sacred site associated with a major victory over Powhatans that occurred centuries before the arrival of Europeans in Virginia.

 

For additional information, see:

 

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

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 701

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diénay (Côte-d’Or) – Château Veil-Picard, France, 1922

 

This is an unused Vintage postcard with a divided back, greenish color on reverse, printed or published by Breger Freres [Breger Brothers] of Paris, France.  Edit. Michel and the title Diénay (Côte-d’Or) – Château Veil-Picard is printed on the front lower margin.  The name of the printer/publisher is found to the bottom right of the center line on the reverse.  The card was another one found in a shoe-box jumble, but also seen on eBay with the date of 1922.   

 

 Breger Freres Logo

 

The company logo is an interesting and different design.  Most logos for postcards use initials, geometric shapes or objects. 

 

 

Diénay, is a community located in the Côte-d’Or region in Northeastern France.  Formed from the former province of Burgundy, Côte-d’Or is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790.  There are several other tourist attractions; however, the Château Veil-Picard is not listed among those named.  The picture on the card makes it look smaller than those that are listed.  Perhaps more like a villa or manor house than a château.  Since there are at least 100 châteaux or more in this area, it is possible that smaller ones do not get mentioned or often photographed.  This is a wine producing area where many of the châteaux have been converted into hotels or guest houses. 

 

Gallic Celts were the first recorded inhabitants of was became Burgundy.  They were incorporated into the Roman Empire.  A Germanic people, called Burgundians, and who may have originated on the island of Bornholm, settled in the western Alps during the 4^th century.  The area changed hands a couple of times during conflicts between Germany and France.  The Abbey of Fontenay found in Burgundy, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has one of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in Burgundy.  Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Abbey of Vézelay is still a starting point for pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. 

 

Côte-d’Or is a department in the region of Bourgogne, or Burgundy in English.  From the early 11^th to the late 15^th century Burgundy was the home of the Dukes of Burgundy.  The capital was Dijon, like the mustard.  It was wealthy, powerful, and center for art and science.  The Duchy of Burgundy is said to have been key in the transition from the Middle Ages to early modern Europe.  This area was one of the largest ducal territories.  The area changed hands at different times during conflicts between Germany and France.  The Abbey of Fontenay found in Burgundy, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has one of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in Burgundy.  Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Abbey of Vézelay is still a starting point for pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela. 

 

During the 100 Years’ War, King John II of France gave the duchy to his youngest son, Philip the Bold.  Later, King Louis XI of France took over the duchy itself.  The Low Countries, which had been part of Burgundy, passed to Duke Charles the Bold’s daughter, Mary, and her Habsburg descendants. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Di%C3%A9nay

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%B4te-d%27Or