London S. W. – The Houses of Parliament

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Annieoakley

Wonderful London street scene showing the Houses of Parliament. The tower on the left is Elizabeth Tower, but commonly known as the tower of Big Ben. Big Ben is the nickname for the tower’s bell. The horse-drawn wagons here are so interesting, particularly the bigger one with the guy hanging out on the back, looking toward the camera. Too bad we can’t make out more details on the wagons. This is the second card posted on this site with the surname of Bentzen in San Francisco. It’s likely that Charles Bentzen on the “Japanese Ladies” postcard is the older brother of Eleanor, as the address on Shrader Street is the same (per the 1920 census.)

Addressed to: Mrs. A. Bentzen, 1 Vicksburg St. San Francisco, Californian

As far as I can tell, the card was written in Danish, but I am having trouble translating it. It looks something like:

“Kære Gusta, Kuns disse kort for at forbere de dig at jeg vil sende dig et Brev jeg troer ikke sky[?] edin[?] er min du du sagve[?] i det sidste[?] Brev du fly[?] første[?]. Din Onkel, K..?..”

The second part of the message is harder to read but the first part I think would be translated as something like:

“Dear Gusta. Only sending these cards to let you know that I will send you a letter. I do not believe …?………Your Uncle [starts with a K?]”

Gusta Bentzen was Augusta Bentzen, wife of Hjalmar Bentzen, according to the 1920 Federal Census taken in San Francisco. This census shows Hjalmar Bentzen, born Denmark about 1873, manager of a bakery; his wife Augusta, born Denmark about 1879; their daughter Eleanor, born Denmark about 1904. The family emigrated to the U.S. in about 1905 or 1906. Their address in 1920 was 1445 Shrader St. Daughter Eleanor’s name, written in pencil under the address, is the key to finding the family on this census.

Divided back, used postcard. Postmarked Oct. 5, 1907. Stamp box shows made in France. Front shows “4 London S. W. – The houses of Parliament, – L. L.”

Price: $15.00

Sources: Big Ben. n.d. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben (accessed October 14, 2013).

Year: 1920; Census Place: San Francisco Assembly District 27, San Francisco, California; Roll: T625_142; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 340; Image: 701. (Ancestry.com.)

Woman With Vase

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Annieoakley

Another beautiful young woman posing with what appears to be a vase. Love her pose, the large hair bow, the double rows of buttons on her skirt and blouse, and her lovely, rather dreamy expression. If you look closely at the fabric on her right sleeve you will see that it is of a light plaid pattern. I believe this photo dates from around 1910 – 1915, somewhere around there, after having visited other sites and blogs regarding women’s clothing and bows. Also the back of the card shows the very important stamp box information of AZO with all four corner triangles pointing upward. AZO refers to Kodak Professional AZO Paper, a popular photographic paper used in producing real photo postcards. The AZO stamp box varied over time, and is very helpful in dating old photos.

There are a couple of unfortunate marks on the woman’s face. If I ever have nothing to do (ha!) I will work on this one in Photoshop to get a nicer copy.

Real Photo Postcard, divided back, unused. AZO stamp box. Circa 1910 – 1915.

Price: $10.00

Profile of Beauty

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Annieoakley

Wonderful studio photography of unknown beauty, guessing circa late 1910s or 1920s. The publisher or photographer information on the front bottom right is very light. It appears to be 35145/3 with the football-shaped logo underneath containing what looks to be three initials, possibly BKX. And the triangular-shaped stamp box logo is a mystery. This looks like a circle with rays, as in the sun, with initials in the three corners?

Real Photo Postcard, divided back, unused. Circa 1910s – 1920s.

Price: $20.00

Japanese Ladies Walking With Candles

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Annieoakley

1916 postcard showing a painting of four beautiful Japanese ladies who are carrying candles and appear to be walking along a sidewalk. There is a small tree in the foreground. This is beautiful artwork. I have no idea what media it was done in, or if it is maybe a well-known work, but it is lovely. If anyone is able to translate the Japanese writing or has any information please contact me.

Addressed to: Ch. Bentzen, Esq., 1445 Schrader St., San Francisco, Calif. Postmarked December 24, 1916, San Francisco. Evidently, the stamp has been removed, perhaps by a collector. Additional postal markings show Panama California, International Exposition at San D (Diego) 1916. Sent by Frodi Sinding of San Francisco.

“With the best wishes for a merry christmas and happy new year. Sincerely yours, Frodi Sinding. 2460 Clay Str., S.F.”

According to his WWI Draft Registration Card, then sender, Frode Sinding was born in Denmark, October 15, 1873, so he would have been age 43 when he sent these holiday wishes. The draft reg card shows occupation as Porter at Lane Hospital in San Francisco, and his permanent address as 2403 Clay St., S.F.

The addressee, Ch. Bentzen was likely the Charles Bentzen who appears on the 1930 Federal Census taken in San Francisco. He is there with his wife Mary E., who was born in California, about 1895. This Charles Bentzen was born in Denmark, about 1893, which if this is indeed the same Charles, makes him about age 23 when he would have received the postcard.

According to a wikipedia entry, “The Panama-California Exposition was an exposition held in San Diego, California, between March 9, 1915 and January 1, 1917. The exposition celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal, and was meant to tout San Diego as the first U.S. port of call for ships traveling north after passing westward through the canal.”

Divided back, used postcard, 1916. Publisher: S.N. Banshudo, No. 14, Shiba Park, Tokyo

Price: $6.00

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama%E2%80%93California_Exposition

Registration State: California; Registration County: San Francisco; Roll: 1544245; Draft Board: 11. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

Year: 1930; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: 197; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 82; Image: 724.0; FHL microfilm: 2339932. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

Die Ratstrinkstube, Rothenburg Germany

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Annieoakley

“Rothenburg o. T. Ehemal. Rats-Trinkstube (jetzt Post) Kunstuhr, Mittags 12 Uhr Meistertrunk darstellend.” Loosely translated as “Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Former drinking office (current post office.) Art clock at noon lunchtime, depicting Master Draught.”

Street scene in the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, (Rothenburg above the Tauber River) circa 1910, featuring the famous building “Die Ratstrinkstube.” Rothenburg ob der Tauber is situated in the district of Ansbach, of Mittelfranken, in the Franconia region of Bavaria. The Ratstrinkstube (drinking office) was built in 1446, and was a tavern only accessible to City Councillors. It is noted for it’s clocks. The main clock was installed in 1683. Since the year 1910, the two windows on each side of the main clock, open every hour between 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., showing the “Meistertrunk” or “Master Draught.” The building is used today as a tourism office.

Divided back, unused German postcard. Publisher: Gerhahd Blümlein & Co., Frankfurt A. M. Originalaufnahme, Nachdruck Verboten. No. 29/19

Price: $7.00

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber

http://www.live-like-a-german.com/points_of_interest/show/24/rothenburg-ob-der-tauber/the-city-councillors–tavern-die-ratstrinkstube

Harriet L. Weston 1917

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Annieoakley

Pretty girl in lace dress with basket of flowers, possibly a confirmation photo. This photo is 2 x 6″ and is attached for presentation on cardboard with the wings folding over the photo, as in a nice presentation for gift-giving to grandmas, aunts, etc. On the back is written Harriet L. Weston, 12 yrs, 1917. This photo was found in an antique store in Dearborn, Michigan.

Harriet, age about 14, appears on the 1920 Federal census taken in Lansing, Michigan, with her parents, Edward H. Weston, age 51, Mary, age 50, Edward’s mother Harriet, age 82, and Nellie Mogg, Edward’s mother-in-law, and Miriam Parkhill, a roomer. So, Harriet L. Weston’s mother would be Mary Mogg. Harriet L. Weston attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Sources: “Michigan, Marriages, 1868-1925,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NQ3W-XN5 : accessed 11 Oct 2013), Edward H. Weston and Mary Mogg, 01 Jan 1896.

Year: 1920; Census Place: Lansing Ward 4, Ingham, Michigan; Roll: T625_772; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 101; Image: 180. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.

The Michiganensian Yearbook, 1925. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. (Ancestry.com. U.S. School Yearbooks [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.)

Napoli Mercato di Pesci

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Annieoakley

Painted Naples, Italy scene of fish market and street.

Napoli Mercato di Pesci. “From Sorrento. I send best wishes for a Happy Xmas and New Year. The presents I will bring in the spring. I wish you were here to enjoy this charming spot. Yours ever, C.H. Dec. 16th.”

Addressed to: Miss Katherine Lau Horne. 222 Pacific Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A. Postmarked December 17, 1900, Napoli. It appears that C.H. was staying in Sorrento but sent the card from Napoli. Sorrento is about 50 kilometers down the coast from Napoli. The addressee’s name is an unusual one and will need more research.

Painted scene of Napoli fish market and street. Undivided used postcard, year 1900. Publisher info: 403, Artistica Richter, Napoli. Unable to read the rest due to the sender’s writing, but probably the part at the end is “prop. riserv.” as in property (rights) reserved.

Costumi Napoletani, Giuoco alla Morra

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Annieoakley

Three Napoli boys playing the betting game “morra.” In the game of morra, each player shows a number of fingers, while simultaneously shouting out a guess at the sum total of fingers that will end up being displayed.

Divided back, unused postcard. Published by Alfredo Finzi, Lugano (Switzerland) No.1689

The Canal, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Michigan

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Annieoakley

Postcard showing one of the old recreational waterways on Belle Isle, Michigan. Belle Isle Park is situated in the Detroit River, and is America’s largest city-owned island park at 982 acres. It was designed based on the plans of Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York City’s Central Park. Native Americans called it “Mah-nah-be-zee.” (Swan Island) Early French settlers called it “Îsle Ste. Claire.” It later came to be known as “Île aux Cochons” (Hog Island, literally Island of the Hogs) due to local farmers using the island as a safe haven for their animals. It’s present name was adopted by 1845, and of course, means beautiful island, (but there may have been a tie-in to Henri Bélisle, an early French physician in the Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac party.) The City of Detroit bought the island in 1879 and it became a park in 1881.

Note the horse and buggies on the right side of the postcard. This is a great card, showing early recreationists enjoying this beautiful park. Hopefully Belle Isle gets the needed upkeep and renovations it deserves. It’s a beautiful place that has great memories for me. I’ll never forget the late ’70’s late night beer-drinking, (have to be honest, sure was fun) excursions to Belle Isle with friends, walking around in the James Scott fountain, visiting the beautiful conservatory, cruising around the park after working overtime at the Ren Cen, traditionally topping that off with early morning Middle Eastern cuisine (some kind of bread with cheese fresh out of a brick oven, like pizza without the sauce – soooo good) to then come home to the bachelorette (lol) upper flat on Forrer St. and read books on physics.

Undivided, unused postcard. About 1902-1907. Published by The Rotograph Co., New York, NY. Printed in Germany. #D3827a.

Price: $10.00

Sources: Rehabilitation of the Belle Isle Lakes and Canals. Douglas Denison and Gary Crawford, JJR Incorporated. Cynthia Silveri and Richard Hautau, City of Detroit Recreation Department (http://riccawu.mnsi.net/story1.html)

City of Detroit (http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/RecreationDepartment/BelleIsle/BelleIsleHistory/1800s.aspx) showing early timeline for Belle Isle for years 1811-1899.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Isle_Park)

The Berghoff Restaurant

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Annieoakley

The Berghoff Restaurant. 17 West Adams St., Chicago, Illinois. “A favorite eating place since 1898 for Chicagoans and out of town visitors. Nationally famous. Exceptional menu of authentic German and American dishes. Atmosphere and decor reminiscent of Old Chicago-and Old World Charm.”

Colorful postcard depicting street scene drawings of The Berghoff in 1898 and The Berghoff today. “Today” is probably the 1950’s due to the style of the women’s dresses. The Berghoff is still going strong, and is listed on their website (www.berghoff.com) as “Chicago’s oldest restaurant.”

Divided back, unused postcard with writing on the back that says “Been here several times.” Published by Thiessen Printing Corp., Chicago IL

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Monthly Archives: October 2013