Sunday, August 30, 2009

some new items listed

I finally listed some new items on The Cedar Chest shop. The set of postcards below is one of the listings. I wanted to share the message on the back of the red illustrated one:


Just got home from camping. Gee I wish you could come over.I'm not going to the fair. Are you? I'm working awful hard washing dishes. We have 6 men boarding here. Come over I'll give you your pick. They are nice ones too. Hazel

To: Miss Amy Harpe, Summerville, Ore. Postmark: Cheney, Wash August 9, 1909

Saturday, August 29, 2009

immortal


The Immortal Tree is still there in Eureka, California on The Avenue of the Giants.

Monday, August 24, 2009

quite a hat



We are still hoping that some day we may hear from
you again but if it can't be ta ta.

Camping at Stone's Landing by the way.
e.c.
Am I not getting to be a quite a photographer?

Postmark: July 15 1907, Puyallup, Washington
To: Mrs Tessa Watkins, Jefferson, Washington

Penciled in later: Ada, Hazel and friend



Sunday, August 16, 2009

portland history

One of the things I collect, like many Portland postcard folks, is Portland memorabilia. There is quite a bit of it at the Postcard Club and I often find some great things.

Yesterday I went to the club meeting for the first time in a while and ended up with some great finds. I wrote a bit about my visit on my other blog yesterday, check it out if you want a double dose (different item is shown).

I got this small felt pennant from the 60's there for a couple of bucks.

I also got these photo cards from a Portland restaurant that no longer exists. I don't know what the official name of these items is called, but it is a cardstock cover that folds over and covers the 5x7 photo that the restaurant's photographer takes of you as you are out on the town at their dining establishment. There are no photos inside, which makes me wonder of these came from the photographer's estate, Lillian Walker. A search for the restaurant and the photographer gave me nothing.



It looks like the house bands leader bought this restaurant about a decade later and renamed it after him.



Getting all dressed to go out to dinner and having people take your photos and all that has always been something I have wished I could of experienced. It seems it was more of an event back then.

This place looks especially neat because of the way the buildings are set up. Like going to grown-up camp for the night.

The spot where this restaurant was is not too exciting. I am thinking it was in the vacant lot, although some of it could be that housing development next to it. It looks kind of like it.

I love finding this kind of stuff and researching it. Can you tell? More neat finds to come and some new stuff to add to The Cedar Chest shop once I get the time.

Friday, August 7, 2009

nothing like family

This is one of my favorite photos. It came from a scrapbook that I bought full of mostly black and white photos from this family. I believe that woman in the bikini there is the little girl in the Fifties photos in the book, all dressed up for the Rose Festival and singing in pageants.

What I love about this photo is that it shows all the in-jokes and fun you have within a family. I assume these people were a lot like my family. We can laugh about ourselves just as easily as we can laugh at you.


Saturday, August 1, 2009

hometown

Sorry for the quiet over here on The Cedar Chest. I was working really hard the last few weeks to finish up a new zine for the Portland Zine Symposium. The Symposium was last week and I finished in time and now I can get back to everything else in my life.

There was a member from the Portland Postcard Club that I belong to at the zine symposium selling vintage postcards and many zinesters were really into them. His table was busy all the time. I was so glad to see him there. I hope some zinesters will find their way to the postcard club, as well. You can read more about the Zine Symposium and my new zine here.

The zine I recently finished is a story about when I was 15 and I went to my first prom. The prom took place at the civic center in Oxnard, which is in Southern California. I actually grew up in Ventura, the town next door. Since I have been thinking so much about my hometown lately, I thought I would post some postcards that I have found from the place I grew up.

I have noticed that almost everyone collects postcards from the regions where they grew up. Some are easier to find then others. If I went to a postcard club in Southern California, I might find more of my hometown, but so far it has been pretty rare, but not unheard of.