My fourth book--yes folks, that's 3 in 3 years

Beginning a second career later in life means playing catch-up. And that’s what I’ve been doing since The Female Assumption came out in 2014. Followed by A Hero on Mount St. Helens in May 2019, then Manteno: Images of America in Feb. 2020, and The Secret Life of Postcards in April 2021. Each book has brought varying degrees of fulfillment, and is important in its own way.

This new book examines my maternal grandmother’s vintage postcard collection (1906-1930s). At the height of their popularity, postcards cost half of what a regular letter cost. That was 1 cent for a postcard; 2 cents for a letter. Why would a penny matter? Let me spell it out. In about 1919, the cost of a day-old loaf of bread was 5 cents. Yes, pennies mattered.

Also, during the “golden age” of postcards, which coincides my my grandma’s collection, not everyone had telephones. And those who did, couldn’t necessarily afford to call anyone at any ole time of the day/night. Let me repeat, every penny counted!

Postcards took the place of greeting cards, and they were true pieces of art. Many were embossed. Some had a satin or linen texture. Others sparkled like glitter — and more than 100 years later, the glitter is still adhered to these cards. Still other postcards have a foil finish that shines in the light.

My grandfather mailed postcards to his sweetheart (his girlfriend and future wife) from two military camps soon after being drafted into World War 1. These are fascinating testaments to history. I share them because, while they are personal, there is something to be learned in the sharing.

This book is too special to share on an anonymous E-shopping site. Therefore, you can only obtain a copy by emailing me a request. There are reasons for this that I don’t feel like elaborating upon here.

Thank you for reading this blog.