Saturday, May 14, 2011

Hotel del Coronado


    -Postcard by Gaston Lokvig, from a pen-and-ink drawing, 1979, 
      Published by Carol Mendel, San Diego.                                                            

This charming pen-and-ink illustration of the Hotel del Coronado is by the late 
Gaston Lokvig, an immigrant from Denmark, who settled in Southern California 
in 1959.  He did many drawings of San Diego landmarks, and was featured in a 
number of travel books.

The Hotel del Coronado has been the playground of presidents, potentates and 
celebrities since it opened in 1888.  This massive wooden structure is one of the 
finest examples of a Victorian beachside resort, and was designated a U.S. 
National Historic Landmark in 1977.

The "Hotel del" has been the setting for books and movies.  Scenes in the 1959  
movie "Some Like It Hot" starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack 
Lemmon were filmed on location at the hotel.

Today the Hotel del Coronado is a resort with all the amenities, and is also 
available for conferences, wedding receptions, and other special events.  
Day trippers are welcome! 

The Hotel del Coronado has a superb website:
                                              

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Sacher Torte


             (click on postcard to enlarge)                  (postcard from 1970)

In 1832, at the Viennese court of Prince Metternich, a chef's apprentice was
assigned the task of creating a special dessert for some distinguished guests.
Franz Sacher, aged 16, came up with a rich chocolate cake containing a secret
ingredient:  apricot jam.  The dinner guests were delighted with this delicious
confection, and "Sacher Torte" became a Viennese tradition.  Sacher's descendants
founded the Hotel Sacher in 1876.  The hotel is in the heart of Vienna, next to the
Staatsoper, and still serves its famous Sacher Torte.  

www.sacher.com/en-hotel-sacher-vienna.htm

Friday, April 29, 2011

Cambridge, England

      KING'S COLLEGE CHAPEL                                                  -copyright J. Salmon, Ltd.

                                                                                                    -copyright J. Salmon, Ltd.

      Congratulations William and Kate, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

 www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Cambridges-royal-connections-revealed-29042011.htm

      BRIDGE OF SIGHS, ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE                   -copyright J. Salmon, Ltd.                                                            

                             www.visitcambridge.org/VisitCambridge/Home.aspx                                                 

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Organ at Heiligenkreuz Abbey


Organ at Cistercian Abbey, Heiligenkreuz, Lower Austria, founded 1133.
                                                        
                                                             -copyright Richard Pietsch & Co.,  Vienna 

         September 18, 1974

         Hi-  This organ I could not believe-- what a spot at the Abbey!
         Weather perfect so far, but warm.  "Gute Reise."  I figured it out
         by myself!  Tour bunches are tiresome, but it's helpful to have things
         arranged for us.   
                                                 -Love, "A".    


                                                                                                                       

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Postcard from Perpignan

      EN PAYS CATALAN...  PERPIGNAN (Pyrénées-Orientales)  La Place Arago 
                                                                     
                                                                                                              -Editions ESTEE-BLOIS
                                                                                                               ALLIANCE CARTERIE

15 October, 1998

Dear Pat,  We rode our bicycles here from Quillan (80 km!!) yesterday.  
It was amazing riding through arched tunnels carved into the rock.  
Then down we came to Perpignan passing a 12th-century fortress looming 
high on the horizon.  Perpignan is very lively and there are tiny alleys with 
cafés that have fairy lights strewn above them.  Today it is 20 degrees C., 
sunny, and the palm trees are rustling in the gentle breeze.   

Love, E. and T.

P.S.  We just asked a gardener about some olive trees, and he proceeded to 
show us the whole garden... at last we found out the name of an amazingly 
scented plant that is everywhere--Laurentia.  Great experience!  

Eloquent friend, non?

                                 www.frenchentree.com/france-perpignan

                                                                   

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Bendel Girl

        Postcard to advertise a special sale for those with birthdays in April, 2011.

        "...because all the best gifts come in brown and white boxes."


Advertising postcards have been in use since the 1870s.  The idea of sending
postcards to promote a business or product is a wise marketing tool.  And don't
we love to pin up a postcard from our favorite store on our bulletin boards?

                                      www.henribendel.com

In 1895, Henri Bendel, a milliner by trade, opened his flagship store in a
then-residential neighborhood on Fifth Avenue in New York City.  Bendels
has been keeping women looking their best ever since.

Bendel introduced many "firsts" to the burgeoning fashion scene in early-20th
century New York.  He imported the designs of a young Coco Chanel, he
organized the first fashion show, and started a line of signature fragrances.

Famous for their hats, Bendels was immortalized in the Cole Porter song,
"You're the Top",  from the 1934 Broadway musical, Anything Goes.  "You're
a Bendel bonnet" is among the list of things synonymous with the best of the best.

For your listening pleasure, I have included a "postcard folio" of sorts, that
gives you a visual guide to the lyrics of the song, courtesy of Bob Toomey on
YouTube.  Thanks Bob!

                       Cole Porter - You're the Top - A Visual Guide

                           www.youtube.com/watch?v=njzqv5gWt6k

Friday, April 1, 2011

Biltmore Estate Grand Staircase

                                (click on postcard to enlarge)      Copyright 1983, The Biltmore Co.

The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned home in the United States.
Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II beginning in 1889, it was completed
in 1895.  He hired Frederick Law Olmsted to design the grounds and the gardens.
Olmsted, who also designed New York's Central Park, is known as "the father of
American landscape architecture".  Biltmore is located near Asheville, North Carolina.

The Festival of Flowers starts on April 2nd and runs until May 15, 2011.

                                                    www.biltmore.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              This postcard is postmarked April 27, 1991:

             Hi,  We're on a trip!  Stayed at a golf club near Waynesville,
             N.C. Tuesday, and played 18 holes Wednesday a.m.  Then to
             Asheville and Biltmore.  The azaleas and dogwood are spec-
             tacular!...  T.T.F.N.    Love, R.&B.


                                               -sent to relatives in Kalamazoo, Michigan