If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 738

 

 

 

 

 

George Washington quote from Farewell Address, 1796 and Mount Vernon, dated 1944

 

This used tinted Linen postcard is a M W M Litho card featuring a portrait of George Washington, a quote from his Farewell Address, and his home, Mount Vernon.  The card is postmarked 25 January 1944 and although it was mailed it does not have a stamp.  Where the stamp should be placed is a cancellation mark:  “B War S Bonds and…”  [Buy War Savings Bonds and Stamps].  On the reverse center line is MWM Color Litho Postcards Made Only by MWM, Aurora, Mo.  Linen cards were popular from 1930 to 1945. 

 

There is no evidence that a stamp was removed from the card.  During World War II there was a shortage of postage stamps and it is possible to find some cards and letters with a cancellation mark like the one on this card but no stamp.  The postage fee was probably paid at the post office at the time the card was mailed.  Or, sometimes letters and cards without stamps were paid by the recipient as postage due.  Soldiers could write “Free” where the stamp should be placed and not have to pay to send letters home even from overseas. 

 

Mount Vernon is the former residence of George Washington who was the first president of the United States.  A Founding Father, he was also the commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.   The land for the estate was purchased by the Washington family in 1674.  At the time of the purchase the property was known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation being named after the nearby creek.  The original wooden house was built in a loose Palladian style around 1734 by Washington’s father, Augustine Washington.  After George’s older half-brother, Lawrence Washington, inherited the property he renamed it after Vice Admiral Edward Vernon.  It is located on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia.  George Washington leased the estate beginning in 1754 and became the sole owner in 1761.  When he became the owner, he chose to keep the Vernon name.  Washington expanded the house twice, once in the late 1750s and again in the 1770s.  This was the home of George Washington for the rest of his life.  After his death in 1799 the estate declined as it was passed down through several generations.  The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association took over ownership of the mansion and part of the property in 1858.  In 1960 it was designated as a National Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Today it is still owned and maintained in trust by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association.  It is open to the public daily.

 

The quote on the card:  “Every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the Union of the Whole” is from Washington’s Farewell Address of 17 September 1796.  It was written as a letter to friends and fellow-citizens after 20 years of public service near the end of his second term as president.  This was just before he retired to his home at Mount Vernon in 1796.  The first draft was written in 1792 by James Madison when Washington was thinking of retiring after one term as president.  Alexander Hamilton amended the original letter in 1796 to include support for the government and the adoption of the Constitution at the conclusion of Washington’s second term. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_Farewell_Address

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

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

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 737

 

 

 

 

 

Marienburg, Westpr. [West Prussia] now Malbork, Poland

 

This unused, divided back vintage postcard features a black & white photograph from Echte Photographie.  Along the center line on the reverse of the card is “Verlag H. Hemmpel, Buch u. Papierhdlg., Marienburg, Westpr.—"  The code 63398  1F is found at the lower right corner on the reverse.

 

The Knights of the Teutonic Order founded the town of Marienburg in the 1200s.  The castle was built during that period and acted as the order’s headquarters.  It was also one of the residences of Polish kings.  As a fortified castle it was Europe’s largest Gothic fortress and the world’s largest brick castle.  Construction lasted nearly 230 years.  It is a complex of three castles combined into one. 

 

No World War I battles were fought in Marienburg; however, there was an influx of refugees, inflation, unemployment, and shortages of food supplies that caused hardships.  Near the end of World War II, most of the local population fled or were evacuated.  There were fierce battles here in early 1945 and about 50% of the castle was destroyed.  In June of that year the town was turned over to Polish authorities and the town was renamed Malbork.  Polish people displaced by areas annexed by the Soviet Union began repopulating the town following World War II.  Bricks from the ruins were used to rebuild the oldest sections of Warsaw and Gdańsk instead of restoring the Malbork Old Town. 

 

For additional information, see:

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

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 736

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The War, 1914-18, L C H – Visé, Paris …”

 

This unused Vintage postcard has a divided back.  There is no blurb on the reverse to identify the printer/publisher or photographer.  The title is found at the top on the front of the card.  L C H Visé indicates official approval for French cards issued during World War I.  Also included in the title is 517 – VERDUN – La Cathédral vue de cote [VERDUN side view of the Cathedral].  The black & white photograph shows a soldier walking along the street and some damage on the roof of the church. 

 

The Verdun Cathedral, also known as the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Verdun [our lady of Verdun], is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Verdun, Lorraine, France.  In 1906 it was declared a historic monument.  There have been several buildings erected and destroyed on this site.

 

As early as 330 Saint Saintin or Sainctinus, evangelized the city of Verdun and became the first bishop.  At that time a church was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul.  A later bishop had a cathedral built inside the walls of a ruined Roman building on the current location.   In 990 Bishop Haimont had a cathedral built with a nave, two transepts, two apses, and two belltowers.  In the 12^th century the east choir and the cloister were added about the same time.  In the 14^th century the cathedral was refurbished in the Renaissance style.  More changes occurred in the 1500s.  A bolt of lightning set the roof and towers on fire in 1755 resulting in significant damage to the nave, the east tower, the organs.  Repairs were finished in 1760.  In 1793 the cathedral was pillaged.  During World War I the cathedral was severely damaged.  The eastern block was totally destroyed and the towers were never rebuilt.  During restoration between 1920 and 1936 a number of Romanesque features were re-discovered as well as the crypt.  This cathedral is the oldest in Lorraine and celebrated its millennium in 1990.

 

Situated on both banks of the river Meuse the name Verdun means strong fort.  During World War I Verdun was the site of a major battle.  The battle was the longest lasting of WWI, and one of the costliest in military history.  It led to enormous loss of life and many casualties. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

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

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