If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 733

 

 

 

 

 

Sitka, Alaska, 2025

 

I picked up several postcards when we took an Alaska cruise in July.  This card features a view of small islands near the town of Sitka.  The card was purchased on the ship and I sent the original to my friend who lives in Italy.  The cards were printed in Canada and part of a set with pictures of Alaska. 

 

The cruise ships do not dock right in the town of Sitka but there are free shuttle buses that go from the dock to the town.  The bus ride is about 15 or 20 minutes and passengers are dropped off near the shopping area.  There are several buses and they run continuously every few minutes making it convenient to shop, walk, take an excursion, or just meander around. 

 

Last time we were here we walked to the Pioneer Home and the Pioneer Cemetery to find information about Adolph Landaas the younger brother of Maggie Landaas Lorig and Petra Landaas Lee.  Adolph had been part of the Alaska Gold Rush.  He lived in Fairbanks until his retirement years when he moved to the Pioneer Home in Sitka.  We also walked to the National Park but only looked at the things close to the entrance.  This time we wanted to walk through the park where there are beautiful totem poles all along a trail through the woods.  We did not walk the entire loop but went far enough to see many of the poles.  In one case we watched a crew cleaning a pole.  

 

 

 

Sign at the entrance to the park

 

 

 

One of the many totem poles in the park

 

 

 We thought this was interesting.  A crew was cleaning one of the totem poles using soap and water.  The men were in the cherry picker basket and could be raised or lowered as needed to do the cleaning.

 

 

 This pole was roped off and either unpainted natural wood or was getting a new coat of paint.  

 

 

Close up look at one of the carvings 

 

 

Here and there we found placards similar to this one that provided information about the poles and general history.

 

 

When we returned to the area near the bus stop, we looked in a few shops and bought a couple of items.  Then we went inside Saint Michael’s church, also known as the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel.  It is a cathedral of the Russian Orthodox church.  When we were here before it was closed.   We had heard it was amazing inside.  And it is.  The walls are almost entirely covered with religious icons, there are candles, lots of decorative gold gilt, and is not very large inside.  It was relatively crowded when we were there but quiet.  Apparently, cookies and cocoa are sometimes sold in the basement of the church but we did not investigate the lower level.  

 

St. Michael's is a cathedral of the Orthodox Church in the America Diocese of Alaska. The church is in the Russian Orthodox architectural style.  The old cathedral was built between 1844 and 1848 from logs of native wood and lasted about 100 years.  Some of the icons were salvaged from the 1813 wreck of the Neva.   After the cathedral was destroyed in an accidental fire in 1966 it was rebuilt.   A National Historic Landmark since 1962, it is notable as an important example of the Russian influence in Southeast Alaska.  Items retrieved and restored after the fire included treasured icons, a chandelier, the royal doors, and some silk and brocade vestments.  The handmade bells and the clock in the bell tower were lost as was a large library with books in Russian, Tlingit, and Aleut languages.  

 

 

 

View of St. Michael's Cathedral from the back

 

 

The entrance to St. Michael's.  As can be seen it is a popular place for tourists to visit.

 

 

This is the view when entering 

 

Closer view of the gold doors and interior

 

 

 

There are icons on the walls, on stands, and everywhere.  

 

 

Candles 
 

 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitka,_Alaska

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michael%27s_Cathedral_(Sitka,_Alaska)

 

 

 

 

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 732

 

 

 

 

 

Reims – Eglise Sainte-Clotilde, Marne, France

 

This unused Vintage postcard features a black & white photograph by Neurdein et Cie, Paris.  The number, 95, and the title are found at the bottom on the front of the card.  The Neurdein logo, P(ND)hot. is at the lower right corner on the front and the name is also found on the left margin on the reverse side.  The card has a divided back and many other vintage French postcards, this one is green colored on the reverse. 

 

The Bascilica of Saint Clotilde of Reims was erected under the direction of Pope Leo XIII in 1896 and is located in the Sainte-Anne district of Reims.  Clotilde is found spelled in several different ways.  She was born ca 474 and died in Tours, France, in 545.  She married the first king of the Franks, Clovis I, in 492 or 493.  She convinced her husband to convert to Christianity and as a result the Franks we Catholics for centuries.  After the death of her husband, Clotilde spent the rest of her life near the tomb of Saint Martin of Tours.  She led a devote life, and gave everything she had to poor and built churches, monasteries, and convents.  She is often depicted as either a praying queen or as a nun.  She is known as the patron saint of the lame in Normandy and the patron saint of Les Andelys and has been “invoked against sudden death and iniquitous husbands.”

 

Reims is a city in the French department of Marne.  It was founded by the Gauls and became a major city in the Roman Empire.  It was the traditional site of the coronation of the kings of France. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

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

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

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_Sainte-Clotilde_de_Reims

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 731

 

 

 

 

 

Épernay, France, ca early 1900s

 

This postcard produced by Catala Freres, Paris, features a black & white photograph of people enjoying a city park.  The identifying number 78 and the title:  Épernay -- Le Jard et le Kosque, are found at the upper center of the card.  Edition:  A. Rabat is printed at the lower right.  This is an unused, divided back card and was found in a jumble of cards at an antique mall.  France began issuing divided back postcards in 1904.  Judging from the clothing of the women, we can estimate that the picture was taken around that time.  On the reverse center line is:  Catala Frères.  Often the publisher or distributor is found along the center line. 

 

 It is always a treat to find pictures on old postcards that show ordinary people dressed in the styles of the day and doing everyday activities.  A lady has a parasol, a man reading a letter or newspaper, children here and there.  One can imagine that the kiosk may have been a place where musicians performed on summer evenings.  Like some of the gardens or parks around palaces, this one also has statuary.  

 

Berthaud Frères had a photo studio in Paris.  The business expanded during the golden era of postcards into eight cities in France and was active from 1889 to 1908.  Catala Frères succeeded Berthaud as owners but kept the same main address.  It is not known exactly when Catala took over, but it was sometime during the first decade of the 20^th century.

 

Épernay is a community about 80 miles or 130 km north-east of Paris.  The town is on the left bank of the Marne River.  From the 5^th until the 10^th century Épernay belonged to the archbishops of Reims.  After that it become a possession of the counts of Champagne.  It suffered heavy damage during the Hundred Years’ War and was burned in 1544 by Francis I.  In 1642 it became part of the duchy assigned to the duc de Bouillon. 

 

The oldest quarter of the town has narrow, irregular streets.  As the town spread the surrounding suburbs are modern and spacious.  This area is especially known for champagne wines.  These are bottled and stored in large cellars built into the chalk rock on which the town is built.  Other major industries include brewing, sugar refining, and the production of hats and caps.  There are rail connections to Paris, Strasbourg, Reims, Metz, Nancy, and several regional destinations.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89pernay

https://rthcards.co.uk/pclogos/data/BFPARIS/BFPARIS_01.html

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 730

 

 

 

 

 

Amish Carriage Maker

 

The card shared this week, is an unused postcard featuring a picture of an Amish carriage maker at work.  The card was published by Country Studio of Photography, Witmer, Pennsylvania.  Mel Horst Photography is printed at the lower left corner on the reverse.  At the upper left corner on the reverse is a blurb:  “Heart of Amishland. Amish Carriage [Buggy] Maker.  Skilled Amish craftsmen make horse-drawn buggies because the automobile is forbidden by the sect.”  This is another card that was in a shoe box jumble in a local antique mall.

 

 

 

Illustration of an Amish horse-drawn buggy. 

 

In the United States the term buggy is used instead of carriage for these conveyances.  The buggies are typically pulled by one or two horses.  Amish carriage or buggy makers make and repair the lightweight four-wheeled horse-drawn buggies that are portrayed in the illustration found on the bottom of the center line on the reverse of the card and used in their communities. 

 

The buggy has a rectangular body like a shallow box.  There is a single seat for two people and room behind the seat for storing luggage and goods.  There are two elliptic springs, one in the front and one in the back over the axles.  Amish buggies come in enclosed and open designs.  The buggies are usually also fitted with lamps for night driving and pulled by one horse.  Former Standardbred horses that were used in cart racing are the preferred breed used by the Amish since these horses are used to pulling carts.  The Amish do not use modern machinery for farming but continue to use Draft horses and/or mules.  Most Amish communities are found in Pennsylvania, other northeastern and midwestern states.   

 

The Amish people are considered ethnoreligious because they mostly remain separate from surrounding populations and are Christian church fellowships with Swiss and Alsatian origins.   They are known for practicing a simple life style, wearing plain clothes, are self-sufficient, and value rural life, manual labor, and humility. The Amish sell many of their handmade goods, such as furniture, toys, quilts, jams, jellies, candy, natural beauty products, maple syrup, and others items.  "Amish made" has come to signify superior craftsmanship.  

 

For additional information, see:

 

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buggy_(carriage)

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 729

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Church of Sant’ Antonio Nuovo, Trieste, Italy, 1854

 

 

This is the third postcard in a series sent by a friend.  It shows the Church of Sant’Antonio Nuovo, the largest Catholic church located on a square at the end of the Grand Canal in the center of Trieste, Italy, as it looked in 1854.  Esterno di s. Antonio Nuovo in Trieste – 1854 is printed at the upper left on the reverse.  There is no blurb or identifying code.  On the reverse center line is:  “Tipografia Vilaggio del Fanciullo – Trieste.”  As with the other two cards shared from this series, the picture appears to a watercolor painting. 

 

A private chapel dedicated to the Annunication was on this spot until the middle of the 1700s.  Permission was granted to open the chapel to the public by Antonio Rossett.  The size of the chapel was inadequate for the numbers of people who wanted to worship there, hence a new church was completed in 1771.  However, it was also too small.  This large structure was proposed in 1808 but work on it did not begin until 1825.  The six ionic columns on the top of the building have statues sculpted by Francesco Bosa in 1842 and represent Saint Justus, Saints Sergius and Bacchus, Saint Servulus, Saint Maurus, Saint Euphemia, ad Saint Tecla.  Paintings by local artists, Girolamo Michelangelo Grigoletti, Odorico Politi, Felice Schiavoni, Sebastiano Santi, Alessandro Longhi, Ludovico Lipparini, and Joseph Ernst Tunner can be found inside the church. 

 

There are two tracker action organs were added in 1958.  Tracker action refers to the mechanical linkage between keys and pedals found in some pipe organs and steam calliopes.  When the organist presses the pedals or keys a valve allows air to flow in the pipes for that note.  Two other types are direct electric action and electro-pneumatic action organs.  Although tracker action organs were not used as much in the early 20^th century there are still builders today making tracker action organs using historical examples as models.

 

Thanks go to M. for sharing the card.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant%27Antonio_Taumaturgo,_Trieste

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

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

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

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

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

 

Shrine Island, Alaska - 2025

 

 

 

 Humpback Whale sculpture, Juneau, Alaska

 

At the end of July, Bob and I took an Alaska cruise.  This is the second Alaska cruise we have taken.  Our cruise ship seemed so large until it docked with other cruise liners that are bigger.  When we docked in Juneau there were 5 other larger ships there at the same time. This time we saw whales spouting early in the mornings from our small veranda.  There were orcas in some places and humpbacks in other places.  They were just far enough away and too quick to get good pictures.  But it was certainly exciting and a joy to see them.  When we were in Juneau our friends took us to see this sculpture of a breaching humpback whale.  It is not too far from where the ships dock but not many tourists visit this small park.

 

Shrine Island, near Juneau, Alaska, 1949

 

Our friends who live across the channel from Juneau on Douglas Island, met us where our ship docked.  The shore leave in Juneau was almost a full day allowing us to have a wonderful visit with them.  They drove us out to the Shrine of St. Theresa, about 28 miles from Juneau.  This postcard above has a photograph of Shrine Island from 1949.  It was Thursday postcard #102 in August 2013.  I did not know then that I would have a chance to visit this beautiful peaceful place in person.  Juneau is not a big city and the tourists add an enormous number of people. We feel especially grateful to our friends who drove us around and took us places locals know about but not many tourists get to visit.  

 

 

We walked a short distance from the Shrine parking area and sat down on a bench to enjoy this view.  Nearby fly fishermen were in waders out in the water catching fish.  On this side we saw lots of fish jumping.  If you look closely at the right side of the picture you might see where a fish jumped.  

 

 

Along the pathway to the chapel were placards like this one that provided information about St. Theresa, the gardens, and the church.  

 

 

There was also this sign.  We did not see any marmots while we were there and therefore did not have to worry about staying away from them.  

 

 

A short walk from where we enjoyed watching the fish is this small church nestled in the woods.  The stones for the building were found locally.

 

Another view of the church

 

Near the church are steps leading up to a view point and the beginning of the Stations of Cross trail or pathway that led down and around the church through the woods.  My childhood friend and her husband both have some health issues and neither of them could do that much walking.  We opted to visit with them instead of walking around the longer loop.  

 

 

Looking out from the viewing platform

 

 

The Shrine also has many lovely plantings and flowers like this circular planter near the parking area.

 

 

This cute little dog is a Cairn Terrier and the pet of our friends.  Bob had the pleasure (?) of taking her on the leash while we walked on part of the pathway.  He soon discovered that despite her small size she is a very strong dog who pulled like a locomotive and had a will to match.  She is so cute and friendly, other people visiting the park would come over to talk to her.  

 

This is a free park with parking spaces and a full modern restroom.  The park has a few rental cabins, a gift shop, and information about retreats that are held there.  A quiet cemetery garden is just a short walk from the parking area.  

 

 

 

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 728

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poitiiers, France

 

This used souvenir postcard is another one sent by a friend.  It is a souvenir card showing a modern view of the city of Poitiers.  The second card is a Vintage card featuring a view from the early 1900s.  The first postcard, above, is an Imprimé Reproduction Interdite printed and distributed in France.  At the upper left corner on the reverse is Poitiers, Vienne. 

 

Unlike some other souvenir cards this one does not have a blurb on the reverse identifying the scenes on the front side of the card.  By comparing the pictures on the card with images online I was able to identify a couple of them and recognize that some were the same buildings but from a different view.  For instance, the middle photo on the top and the photo at the left on the middle line appear to be the Hotel de Ville, Poitiers.  It is the City Hall and the first municipal building in aPoitiers.  It was designated as an historic monument in 1975.   The second photo on the middle line is the Palace of Poitiers.  It was the palace of the Counts of Poitiers and then the Dukes of Aquitaine in Poitiers.  It is an example of medieval Plantagenet style architecture.  The photo at the bottom left appears to be of a city park. 

 

 

  

 

Poitiers, France, ca early 1900s

 

This second card is titled Vue Générale de POITIERS [General view of Poitiers]-158 at the bottom center.  The title is repeated at the upper left on the reverse.  Also, on the front of the card at the bottom left is:  Rona , éditeur á Poitiers.  On the reverse center line is:  M.G. Editions.  

 

 The number 69 194 084 appears at the lower left corner on the reverse.  It is likely that the photograph dates from the early 1900s but the card itself is a reproduction of the earlier card.  Comparing this older photo with a more recent picture it appears that at mid-left is the Church of Sainte-Radegonde with the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre and the Palace of Poitiers in the background.  Sainte Radegonde [c. 520 – 587] was a Frankish queen and nun who is buried in the church.  The church became a pilgrimage site by those devoted to her heavenly intercession. Also, note the partial stamp at the upper left on the font of the card that lends further credence to the card being a reproduction of an earlier card.  

 

Some interesting trivia facts:  Poitiers has been a major university town since the university was founded in 1431.  There are many half-timbered houses that have been preserved.  It is also strategically located and is an important crossroads in France and Western Europe.  There have been many archeological finds from the Roman era.  Also, a number of tombs of Christian martyrs were discovered on the heights to the south-east of the town.  A thick 6 meter wide and 10 meter high wall was built around the town in the 3^rd century.  Eleanor of Aquitaine frequently lived in the down which she had embellished and fortified.  In 1152 she married the future King of England, Henry II, in Poitiers Cathedral.  

 

 Once again, thank you to M. for sharing the cards.  

 

For additional information, see:

 

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_de_Ville,_Poitiers

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

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Sainte_Radegonde_(Poitiers)

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