Antarctica FDC

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Annieoakley

This is the first First Day Cover I’ve ever picked up. I have to admit that prior to researching this card I knew nothing about First Day Cover, a.k.a. First Day of Issue collecting. I bought this because I hadn’t yet come across any postal related items on Antarctica and because the penguin is adorable! So, I went to the American First Day Cover Society website and took their FDC Short Course, and learned that the FDC is a card or an envelope that bears a cancelled stamp for the first day that stamp is put on sale by the postal authorities. In this case we have two stamps with the nice cancellation mark (I like the bugle) showing that July 12, 1958 was the first day of issue for this stamp, and showing the city and country of issue was Santa Fe, Argentina. The artwork on the left is called the cachet (pronounced ka-shay as in the french pronunciation.) This cachet shows a map of Antarctica (Mapa de la xona Antártica) with the region marked off at the top that was claimed by the country of Argentina. This first day cover was issued before the Antarctic Treaty was enacted in 1961. Per a Wikipedia entry, the Antarctic Treaty and related agreements (collectively known as ATS or Antarctic Treaty System), currently has 50 signatory nations and “sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, establishes freedom of scientific investigation and bans military activity on that continent.”

This particular stamp honors the Año Geofisico Internacional (International Geophysical Year or IGY.) Per another Wiki entry, the IGY was an international scientific project, in which 67 countries participated in eleven earth science studies on the topics of aurora and airglow, cosmic rays, geomagnetism, gravity, ionospheric physics, precision mapping, meteorology, oceanography, seismology and solar activity. The project lasted from July 1, 1957 to December 31, 1958, (ending almost 55 years ago to the day, as I am just noticing that the day of this posting will be December 30th.) Both the United States and the former Soviet Union launched artificial satellites to commemorate the IGY.

Sources: http://www.afdcs.org/fdccourse.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentine_Antarctica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Treaty_System

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Geophysical_Year

George Rowell Butler, Photographer

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Annieoakley

Butler photographer’s logo that appears at the bottom right of the “Salinas California Couple” photo.

George R. Butler (1861- c. 1935) California-born photographer, active in counties of San Francisco, San Benito, Monterey and San Mateo. This post refers back to the photo of the Salinas, CA couple posted earlier on this site. It’s uncertain without the photographer’s first name being given, but I believe George R. Butler to be the likely photographer for that photo, as records substantiate the fact that he did work and live in Salinas for part of his career.

What we learn from the various census, voter registration and city directory records is that George R. Butler was born about September 1861 in California. The 1870 Federal Census taken in San Francisco, shows George to be the youngest of five children born to Miner Butler and Anna M. (Anna Mary Eves Bennet per unsourced Ancestry trees. 1880 census shows Anna’s sister Maria Bennett, single and living with then widowed Anna, so it would appear Anna’s maiden name is Bennett.) The 1880 shows George at the start of his career, listed there as Photo Apprentice, age about 18, and living with his mother, three of four siblings, and aunt. The 1882 San Francisco voter reg shows George and older brother Charles, both photographers and living at 212 Octavia, which is either their mother’s address or right next door. The 1886 – 1892 voter reg records show George living in San Francisco still, but at 305 Polk.

George married Sadie (Sarah, Sallie, born CA about October 1869) in about 1892. The couple is residing in Hollister in 1894 and by at least 1897 they are in Salinas (voter reg records.) The 1900 census shows that the Salinas address is possibly 240 Main St., though the street number is not recorded there; boarding with them is James W. Church, occupation Constable. By 1910 George and Sadie had moved up to San Francisco and are shown on that census as staying with George’s mom. The 1920 shows that the couple had moved to San Mateo; with them is Margret Blattner[?], listed as sister-in-law to George. There is a California Death Index record that shows a George R. Butler, born approximately 1863 with a death date of June 14, 1930 in San Mateo County. However, there is a 1935 city directory record for Hillsborough, San Mateo County, showing a George R. Butler and wife Sarah. So, George’s date of death is uncertain.

The above is a pretty good rundown of biographical information from online sources, which of course, are always good to check into, in order to corroborate, clarify and sometimes even offer corrections to existing career info. But, career-wise, besides the Salinas CA couple photo example on this website, (surmised to be George R.’s work) other examples can be found at the excellent website California Views: The Pat Hathaway Photo Collection; see the last source listed below for that web address which has a link for George R. Butler and some of wonderful examples of his Monterey County and San Benito County landscape and building photos.

Sources: Year: 1870; Census Place: San Francisco Ward 11, San Francisco, California; Roll: M593_84; Page: 565A; Image: 290; Family History Library Film: 545583. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

“United States Census, 1880,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6PX-YMG : accessed 29 Dec 2013), George Butler in household of Anna M. Butler, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States; citing sheet 275A, family 3, NARA microfilm publication T9-0079

Year: 1900; Census Place: Alisal, Monterey, California; Roll: 94; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0002; FHL microfilm: 1240094. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Year: 1910; Census Place: San Francisco Assembly District 37, San Francisco, California; Roll: T624_99; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0169; FHL microfilm: 1374112. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

Year: 1920; Census Place: San Mateo, San Mateo, California; Roll: T625_145; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 72; Image: 563. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

California State Library, California History Section; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Ancestry.com. California, Voter Registers, 1866-1898 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1905-1939 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.Original data: California Department of Health and Welfare.

http://caviews.com/A_1.html

Christmas A Song A Smile

Quote

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Annieoakley

“Christmas

A song, a smile,

A laugh, a tear.

A glancing back throughout the year.

The worst forgotten – laid away,

The best to bless you on this day.”

Lovely Christmas sentiment in gold-tone framing of garland with red bows, topped with winter scene in gold, green, red and black.

“To Flo, from Maura[?] Xmas, 1917 – Wishing you many happy returns of the day. My sincere wish.”

Divided back, unused with writing. The Pink of Perfection. Series No. 6768. Published by The Fairman Company, Cincinnati & New York. Dated 1917 by the sender.

Holly Christmas Greetings

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Annieoakley

Beautiful, rustic Christmas Greetings showing holly in foreground and log-framed nature scene in backgound. Card is addressed to “Mrs. Carrie Myers, Kechi, Kans.” Nothing definite is showing (as of the date of this post in just a quick search) for Mrs. Carrie Myers in Kechi, although there are various Federal Census records and City Directory listings in the Wichita area. However, these entries show varying dates and places of birth, so there may be more than one person under this name, or there may have been errors in the census records.

The town of Kechi is situated in Sedgwich County, just northeast of Wichita. According to the city’s website, the name Kechi is derived from the Kechai band of Indians that were camping in the area in the 1800’s; it’s first non-native moved to the vicinity in 1868. See the first source below for more details.

Divided back, unused, embossed postcard. Printed in Germany. No. 7239 Relief, No. 7242 Brillant. Estimating the date from around 1910 – 1915. Publisher is PFB which stands for Paul Finkenrath, Berlin. See the second source listed below at the website The Postcard Album, with more information on this publisher.

Price: $5.00

Sources: http://www.kechiks.com/residents/city-history

http://www.tpa-project.info/html/body_paul_finkenrath.html

Sacramento, California State Capital

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Annieoakley

Beautiful postcard of the Sacramento, California state capital building. According to a Wikipedia entry, the building was completed between 1861 and 1874. The building, along with the grounds, were listed as a California historical landmark in 1974. The drawing of the shield in the left corner shows the state’s motto, “Eureka.”

Divided back, unused postcard, circa 1915-1920. Publisher IPC&N Co. (Illustrated Postcard & Novelty Company.) Series 97-2. This publisher can be found listed in a publication available online lodging protest through their legal counsel of the WWI era proposed stamp rate increase from one cent to two cents.

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

Revenue to Defray War Expenses. Hearings and Briefs Before the Committee on Finance. United States Senate, 65th Congress. First Session on H. R. 4280. An Act to Provide Revenue to Defray War Expenses and for Other Purposes. Washington Government Printing Office, 1917. (Google eBooks)

Wilma Taylor’s House

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Annieoakley

“Dear Fern: This is the picture of our home. Are you coming down to see me? I want you to be sure to come. I am going to look for you. As ever your friend, Wilma Taylor”

Divided back, real photo postcard addressed to Miss Fern Anderson, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, from her friend Wilma Taylor. Postmarked August 28th, but the year is unreadable. Estimating this postcard is from the 1910s or early 20s. The postmark does indicate it was sent from Farmington, (Whitman County) Washington, which is on the Idaho border. The distance between the two cities is about sixty miles; Coeur d’Alene being situated northeast of Farmington. The photo is of a side view of the Taylor house; a wooden, farmhouse type structure with a picket fence that has a very nicely designed gate. We can see that the house has a lovely front porch, even though we can’t see the porch too well, because of the angle of the photo.

Friends, Wilma and Fern have been located in the U.S. Federal Census records. The 1900 census, taken in Farmington, shows: Holton G. Taylor, born Iowa, March 1858; his wife Hettie, born Iowa, January 1871; daughters Laura, born Washington, August 1890 and Wilma, born Washington, June 1892; sons Hollis, born Washington, September of 1894, and Willard, born Washington, June 1896. The father is listed as being in the milling business. Wilma is about seven years old on this census.

The 1910 U.S. Census, also taken in Farmington, shows the Taylor family, except for the eldest daughter Laura, who would be about 29 years old at this time. The father’s given name is recorded here as Houghton rather than Holton; the mother’s name is recorded as Margarette H., rather than Hettie, indicating that Hettie may have been her middle name, or a variation of her middle name, or possibly a nickname derived from Margarette. Houghton Taylor is listed as owner of a grist mill, which of course, coincides with the 1900 census info. Wilma is about 17 years old on this census.

The 1920 U. S. Census shows Houghton G. Taylor with wife Ester (Hettie), and new family member, son Gerald born Washington, about 1911. Houghton is still listed as owning his own mill. The street name given on this census is a bit difficult to read, but after looking at the prior page, and researching nearby streets, it would appear to be Chestnut. There is no house number given, so perhaps this would indicate that the area was still somewhat rural at this time, and that the house in the photo is possibly the same one that Houghton, Hettie and Gerald were living at here in 1920. Houghton is also listed as owning this residence on Chestnut. The prior census page to this one also shows “FM” for “Farm” in the house number category relating to Chestnut Street; this would seem to be further evidence that the photo here could be the Chestnut residence.

Further records (California Voter Registers) on Houghton Granger Taylor show that he was working as a miller in the Gridley area of Butte County, California in 1882 and 1884. Gridley is about 60 miles north of Sacramento.

Of course, the fact that Houghton had a long career as a miller, brings up the further search avenue for him regarding grist mills, old mills in Whitman County, Butte County, etc., however his name is not turning up in this type of search. Sadly, it appears that most of the old mills were destroyed over the years. The search did lead to locating a very intriguing-sounding book available from various online sellers entitled, Eastern Washington’s Vanished Grist Mills and the Men Who Ran Them, by Florence Sherfey. (Another one for the wish list: so many books, postcards, old photos, so little time – grin.)

Fern Anderson, Wilma’s friend, shows up on the 1910 census in Coeur d’Alene, age 16, born Washington, about 1894. Her parents are listed as Andrew H. Anderson, born Denmark, about 1864, and Jessie, born California, about 1874. The residence address is 807 Second Street. Fern’s father Andrew, is listed as a self-employed broker in the mining industry.

After finding the 1910 census, the 1900 was located; showing Andrew, Jessie and Fern living in Spokane, Washington. Andrew’s occupation is listed as Blacksmith.

Divided back, used, Real Photo Postcard. Postmarked from Farmington, Washington on August 28, year unknown, circa 1910 – early 1920s.

Price: $15.00

Sources: Year: 1900; Census Place: Farmington, Whitman, Washington; Roll: 1753; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0100; FHL microfilm: 1241753. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Precinct 43, Whitman, Washington; Roll: T624_1674; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 0263; FHL microfilm: 1375687. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

California State Library, California History Section; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4 – 2A; CSL Roll Number: 8; FHL Roll Number: 976454. Ancestry.com. California, Voter Registers, 1866-1898 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Sherman, Kootenai, Idaho; Roll: T624_225; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 0173; FHL microfilm: 1374238. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Spokane Ward 2, Spokane, Washington; Roll: 1751; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0063; FHL microfilm: 1241751. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Cool Guy With Seaside Backdrop

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Annieoakley

Great Real Photo Postcard of guy in suit and bow tie, posing in front of the photographer’s backdrop of what appears to be a seaside scene. He looks to be about 30 or 40ish, age-wise. Love the expression and the hands behind the back pose.

The backdrop is a scene showing a very long building, possibly a hotel; the type that one might have found in a seaside resort town, that might also house various amusements like arcade machines, a carousel, and a ballroom for dances. You can see five or six beach umbrellas in the foreground which help to identify the type of scene depicted here.

Real Photo Postcard, unused. The AZO stamp box has two triangles pointing up and two pointing down. Guessing this card is from the late 1910s to early ’20s.

Price: $10.00

Winter Cottage With Clematis

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Annieoakley

Gorgeous card showing country cottage scene in winter with what appears to be a clematis border in shades of purple. Note the sunset or sunrise sky colors, and the little birdie perched on the top branch of the bush. This is a beautiful card. Nothing on the back except for the glue markings from the person that put this treasured scene in their scrapbook.

Size: About 4 and 1/2 x 3 and 1/2″

Christmas Greetings

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Annieoakley

An elegant little Christmas card. It has the word “Bavaria” on the back in very small print, so this was likely the place it was printed. Winter cottage scene with decorations including mistletoe, holly, and bells. Embossed and with gold tone overlay. The lettering style of the greeting is really nice.

Size: About 2 and 5/8 x 3 and 7/8″

Myrtle Eyman

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Annieoakley

Cabinet Card photo of lovely young woman identified on the back of the card as Myrtle Eyman. It is unclear what type of decoration she wears on her blouse, as that part got caught up in the intentional softening photographic technique for the photo, but if it was not part of the blouse design, then perhaps it was a corsage. The scalloped edging on the blouse rather coincidentally (or maybe not coincidentally?) goes with the scalloped edging of the card.The photographer’s name was Nelson, of Fullerton, Nebraska. Further research on the photographer will be posted separately.

Scalloped edging on Cabinet Cards was popular in the 1890s, although photographers were sometimes using up old card stock, so this by itself is not enough to date this card. However, there is a Myrtle Eyman showing up in the census records for 1880 and 1885, as being born in Illinois, about 1878, and living in Lost Creek, Platte County, Nebraska in 1880, and in Genoa, Nance County, Nebraska in 1885. Other online entries under this same name, do not fit for date or place, or both, so I believe these two census records to be the correct person for this photo. If Myrtle is about 18 – 20 years old in this photo, that would place the date of the card around 1896 – 1898.

The 1880 Federal Census shows Myrtle, age 2, living with her parents, Hardin H. Eyman, occupation farmer, born IL about 1847 and his wife Sue, born Canada, about 1851. Living with them are Hardin’s brother John, a widower, occupation farmer, born IL about 1841, and John’s son, Frank, born IL about 1868.

The 1885 Nebraska State Census shows Myrtle and her parents living in the village of Genoa. Hardin’s occupation is difficult to read (looks like stock dealer.)

The city directory entries from 1906, 1910, 1912 and 1913 for Myrtle Eyman are very likely the same Myrtle in the photo. They show Myrtle living in the cities of Kearney, Lincoln, Hastings, and again Lincoln, respectively.

This photo was found along with two others. There is a slim, but probably not likely, chance there was some relation to the three; see the prior two posts for more info.

Sources: Year: 1880; Census Place: Lost Creek, Platte, Nebraska; Roll: 754; Family History Film: 1254754; Page: 196B; Enumeration District: 095; Image: 0172. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

National Archives and Records Administration; Nebraska State Census; Year: 1885; Series/Record Group: M352; County: Nance; Township: Genoa; Page: 1. Ancestry.com. Nebraska, State Census Collection, 1860-1885 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.