If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 721

 

 

 

 

 

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland

 

 

Printed by James Fleming & Co., of Callander, Scotland, this unused postcard features a photograph from the interior of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum housed in Stirling Castle, Scotland.  The card has a divided back with the title located on the reverse at the lower left corner.  No other credits are found on the card.

 

Counties in the United Kingdom that have organized regimental armies have museums dedicated to the history of specific army regiments.  Yeomanry, Militia, and Volunteer regiments also have museums or exhibition spaces.  Many are open to the public, some are open by appointment only. 

 

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, also known as Princess Louise’s, was created under the Childers Reforms in 1881 and is a light infantry company.  In 2006, as part of the restructuring of the British Army’s infantry, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were assimilated with the Royal Scots, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, the Roy Highland Fusiliers, the Black Watch, and the Highlanders to form the seven-battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.  Defense cuts in 2012 reduced it to a single light infantry company called Balaklava Company, Royal Regiment of Scotland.  

 

 

It was fun to find this old picture of Bopa aka FarFar’s father, “Mac” who served a mission in the Highlands of Scotland when he was about 20 years of age.  While he was there, he visited the town of Thurso where his parents had lived before emigrating.  No bag pipes, here he and a companion are dressed in the traditional kilt, bonnet, and sporran, while the third member is wearing a more traditional looking dress suit.  The picture taken around 1913 or 1914.

 

 

 "Mac" McKay in the center with two companions, ca 1913-1914

 

 

The black & white photo does not let us see if the kilts are in the MacKay plaid.  Standing in the middle, Grandpa McKay was almost 6 feet 4 inches tall, which would make it easy to pick him out even if we did not have other pictures of him to be sure.  Note the Argyll knee socks.  

 

  

 

MacKay plaid

 

 

The Regimental Museum for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is housed in Stirling Castle.  That castle was built in the 1490s and was known as the “King’s House,” or the “King’s Old Buildilng,” because it was thought to have been the private residence of King James IV.  The castle sits atop a crag giving it a strong defensive position.  The castle is considered one of the largest and most historically and architecturally important castles in Scotland.  This castle has withstood at least eight sieges including one in 1746 when Bonnie Prince Charlie tried unsuccessfully to take it.  Today the castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a tourist attraction managed by Historic Environment Scotland. 

 

The grounds are used as an open-air concert venue.  Like some other castles, Stirling Castle has ghost lore.  A maid servant to Queen Mary, called the Green Lady, has been sighted by residents of visitors.  She is thought be a warning or omen of impending danger.   There is a fee to tour the castle and the museum.  The entry ticket fee to tour the castle incudes entrance to the museum.  Public donations is the main source of support and maintenance.  The governing body is the charitable trust:  The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Trust. 

 

 

For additional information, see:

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 720

 

 

 

 

 

The Castle of Angers and the statue of René of Anjou

 

A. Papeghin, imp.-édit., of Tours printed this vintage black & white card featuring the Castle of Angers, located in the Loire Valley of France.  At the right is a statue of René of Anjou who was born here and is known as Good King René.  This card was one in a booklet set and has been torn out along the perforated left side.  The information blurb is printed on the front of the card at the upper right and contains the number 28.  The blurb contents translated into English:  “The Castle and the statue of King René began under Philippe Auguste and was completed under Louis.  Henry IV signed the contract thee on April 5, 1498, which ended the League by uniting Cesar de Vendôme, the natural son of the King and Gabrielle d’Estrees, with the Duke of Mercoeur.  A.P.”

 

It looks more like a fortress than a castle because it was a fortress in the beginning due to its strategic defensive location.  Like some other castles or fortresses it was built on a site previously held by the Romans.  The structure shown on the card is the result of permission by the Bishop of Angers to the Counts of Anjou to build a castle here in the 9^th century.  There are dozens of castles that were built about this time to protect Anjou from the Normans.  There have been many additions and renovations to the original building.  It has been listed as a historical monument since 1875.  Today it is owned by the City of Angers, is open to the public and has been converted into a museum.  The museum is home to the oldest and largest collection of medieval tapestries in the world, including the priceless Apocalypse Tapestry.

 

René of Anjou was born in 1409 and died at age 71 in 1480.  He was Duke of Anjou and Count of Provence from 1434 to his death in 1480.  He also reigned from 1435 to 1442 as the King of Naples.  He was married twice and had 10 legitimate children and 3 illegitimate children. As a patron of the arts, both paintings and written works, he commissioned translations and re-translations of classical works into French prose.  He also kept a theater troupe in his court.   

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_d%27Angers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_of_Anjou

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabrielle_d%27Estr%C3%A9es

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 719

 

 

 

 

 

Weymouth from Greenhill Gardens, Dorset, England

 

This unused British Production postcard has a divided back but no information blurb or identifying codes.  Although in color, it is not a color photograph but has been colored or tinted.

 

Greenhill Gardens are found on the edge of the town boundaries, on a slope above the beach and promenade and over looking Weymouth’s seafront and bay.  The Gardens were part of the Wilton Estate and gifted to the local council in 1902 for “the benefit of the inhabitants of Weymouth.”  Safe, clean, well-managed, welcoming, and accessible it was awarded Green Flag status as is one of the best green spaces in England.  The gardens feature brightly colored borders, winding paths, and recreational spaces.  There is an indoor café, Greenhill Beach Café, with outdoor seating.  There is also an 18-hole putting green and four tennis courts, plus a bowling green.  Future plans include a wooden gazebo. 

 

Weymouth is a seaside resort town that depends on tourism for its economy.  The history of the town goes back to the 12^th century and incudes roles in the spread of the Black Death, the settlement of the Americas, and the development of Georgian architecture.  During World War II, Weymouth was a major departure point for the Normandy Landings. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhill_Gardens,_Weymouth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weymouth,_Dorset

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 718

 

 

 

 

 

Antique Steam engine tractor, ca 1959

 

Modern farm equipment looks entirely different from this antique steam powered tractor featured on a used postcard.  Vincent Tortora is credited as the photographer on this card published by James E. Hess of Lancaster, PA.  The cancellation mark provides the date of 3 Oct 1959.  An information blurb is at the upper left corner on the reverse:  “Greetings from “The Penna. Dutch Country.”  Antique Steam Engine Tractor leaving farm yard.  Many of these old-timers are on display at Arthur Young’s of Kinzer, Pa. where an annual get-together is held displaying the limitless power of these aged engines.  Many are still in use today used mostly to Steam Tobacco beds.  This process is to kill weed seed in the soil before the tobacco seed is sown.”

 

Steam tractors similar to the one depicted on the card were used in the late 19^th and early 20^th century.  The first ones were specifically designed for agricultural uses.  Horses pulled the portable engines that were built on skids or wheels for ease in transporting to work areas.  These machines were used for threshing grain and plowing.  The owner/operator of the engine would travel from farmstead to farmstead.  Oats and wheat were the common types of grain; however, other grains could also be threshed using this type of engine. 

 

Usually there was a “threshing day” when all the neighbors would work together to complete the massive job.  Women and girls were in charge of cooking the noon meal that was brought out into the fields.  The engine did not do all the work, children had jobs suitable to their ages such as pitching bundles into the threshing machines, driving the bundle racks, supplying water for the steam engine, hauling the freshly threshed grain into the granary.  Because the steam engine was so expensive, several farmers might pool their resources and join together forming a cooperative.  The power of this type of engine allowed for the threshing and plowing to be completed quicker and easier than by hand and/or with horses or mules.  Some of the largest steam engines had 150 horsepower and were known as “Road Locomotives.”  In the mid-1920s these engines were phased out by lighter, faster-starting internal combustion tractors that were fueled by kerosene, petrol or distillate. 

 

Kinzers, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in Lancaster County.  The Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association has held an annual reunion in mid-August each year on Arthur S. Young’s farm since 1948.  A number of steam traction engines are showcased during the reunions.  Originally there was also a publication called Iron Man Album, founded by editor Rev. Elmer Ritzman, that was devoted to preserving the heritage of threshing and farm life in general.  Today Ogden Publications now owns that magazine and has renamed it Steam Traction Magazine. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam-tractor

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

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