Postcards
In that wonderful way that one thing can lead to another, an Instagram post from the World of Interiors account lead to a virtual perusal of titles from among the eye-catching stacks of books. Tom Phillips’ Postcard Century then happened to be available for borrowing from the library. It has taken some time to get through his collection… (I took a picture of the book outside in September when I’d started it…) but the fact that this tome exists delights me.
First, that collecting postcards is called deltiology and that Philipps takes some time to describe postcard attributes is an inviting window on a previously unknown world. Second, that Philipps is an artist, and therefore freely comments on the style and design of the postcards he has curated for this book. But third, and most significantly to me, he uses postcards as a lens for viewing history. He writes: “Postcards provide the world’s most complete visual inventory.” Thus, with the caveat that “My own interests and predilections (not to speak of prejudices) play a part in my choice yet I have also tried to keep a special watch on certain themes…” among which leads that of feminism. He writes:
Women were of course invented before the beginning of the century but the realization of the proper role in society and their acquisition of rights has been perhaps its most important single development. From a voteless, socially subjugated and legally disadvantaged condition in 1900 to the ambiguities of the post-feminist state in the 1990’s it has been an epic take that here, inevitably, has to be conjured from a sequence of telling fragments. Needless to say it is not only the images that tell the story but the content and style of the messages which speak, in sum, so eloquently of the relations between women. (p 18)
There are moments artfully captured, like the “crossword craze”:
And there are seemingly boring pictures that have an entire backstory that Philipps manages to unlock, as in the case of this USS New York. (p 196)
In 1966, Philipps notes a shift in the tone of comic postcards that I find intriguing… “A cynical hardness enters the comic card as a new generation takes over, coupled with a meaner kind of image.” (p 300) And neighbouring that passing reflection, a postcard featuring a beautiful ocean liner, offers a little reality check: “For all the romance of last voyages, ends of epochs, shipboard affairs and images of fine living on the high seas one mus remember that, for anyone but the rich, long ocean voyages represented weeks of cramped boredom.” (p 300)
One of my favourite is food-related…
At one point, Phillips’ comments, about one postcard’s provenance, “In the absence of institutional interest from the academic world primary research into postcards is done by collectors themselves, often at the most scholarly level.” (p 144) But perhaps this is turning out not to be the case? I recently came across Omar Khan’s website Paper Jewels, which links to his academic research on the subject of postcards from India. All in all, it’s been fun to learn how postcards are a medium for viewing history from a different vantage point.
Tangentially
Postcards are now rare and perhaps correspondence is a dying art. But I’m always feel inspired by ideas such as Rose Pearlman’s “How to Make A Correspondence Kit”. I agreed to make one for a niece and I’m curious to see whether the tangible feature of letter-mail still holds charm.
Local love
For his participation in the school’s band, my son needed black pants and a white shirt. These were handily found at Value Village, although there was a problem with the shirt sleeves being too long. The solution for long shirt sleeves is called “sleeve garters” and ushering in their fashion renaissance is my own 7th-grader. While he lives oblivious to shows like Peaky Blinders (and long may it be so), my sister and I have not. So if this partially-Irish, growing weed of a boy is fine with his mother’s fondness for Irish lore and Irish accents, I will blame not only the culture which inspires a collection of wool scarves, but also the local Winnipeg businesses that purvey such accessories. There is Amazon of course, but a sense of duty had me call a suit store and the gentleman there suggested another local business, and the gentleman there suggested a third. Were it not for this chain of phonecalls and kind voices, I would not have pulled into the sunny parking lot of a store called Vintage Glory. And had we not strolled confidently in to try sleeve garters on the aforementioned long-sleeved white shirt, we would not have met the kind man who encouraged us to explore all three rooms of his store. And when we thought we’d done a good bit of exploring, he asked if we’d opened any of the drawers… We hadn’t. So then we did, suddenly noticing all the wood cabinets with narrow drawers everywhere… and my goodness! It was like being in a hands-on museum, encouraged like children to look at all the treasure…
(This is a single drawer where brooches on a theme of chivalry were gathered, making me think of Don Quixote that I’m currently reading.)
Could I have just bought a dumb shirt that fit my son at H&M? Yes, of course. But let’s just say that for a few dollars more, his ensemble has a pretty rich backstory.
First
For the first time in his little beagle life, Enzo was fitted with boots. He finds this very weird, but will walk for treats. But only around the house. Outside, in daylight, he refuses to walk. He says it is undignified. Since the weather is not that cold, we don’t insist.
Eating
For guests on Sunday we made Carla Lalli Music’s “Pork and Pozole Stew” (which can be seen here on Youtube). Pork stew is generally easy and delicious, but I appreciated this version for the short ingredient list, and a chance to try pozole for the first time. I found it at Latinos Market here in Winnipeg.
Enjoying
I liked learning a bit about potatoes and the Irish famine on CBC’s podcast Ideas. A focus on one architectural detail, explained in depth but also light-heartedly, is a talent I admire. Enter a recent discovery on TikTok. Abby Happel is a junior architect in Chicago who talks about corners and libraries, and I feel like I could take notes. Also, another podcast episode I liked is Chuck Klosterman being interviewed on The Book Review (Youtube link). I felt like I knew a little something about football from having watched all seasons of Friday Night Lights!
Postcard
I’m feeling a little self-conscious titling this section of the post in this way, given the picture isn’t a real postcard… but when I thought of changing it, I felt a justification naturally spring to mind… The picture of the view I take on one of the week’s morning walks with the dog is a virtual postcard. Inherent in it is the typical message of old… “The greeting, the weather, health of writer, enquiry as to health of correspondent, signing off; such was the standard pattern, either enough itself or forming a safe basis for permutation and variation.” (Postcard Century p 13) So… weather cold, I’m fine, you too?
Happy Sunday!