We recently came across this unusual vintage wooden post card that was specifically made to have a person’s photograph attached to the back of the card, facing outward, to show through the hole in the card. Then, a label, that covered the entire back of the card, would be glued to the reverse side for mailing. The front of the card was inscribed with the words, “Am I the Light of Your Heart?”
The card was addressed to Mr. Clyde O’Brien, 16 N. 13th St., City, but since the card did not have a postmark, we have no idea which city the card was sent from or to. We also have no idea of the name of the young attractive female who mailed the card. Unfortunately we will never know who these people were. Did the relationship last? Did they get married? What did their future hold for them? How did this card lose its way from family members or were their no descendants to pass the card down to?
Although this type of specialty card is highly sought after by some lighthouse post card collectors, others instead prefer images of real lighthouses, especially the older vintage cards.
In this month’s issue we have given you a number of stories that directly relate to post cards including “Vintage Magazine Story Reclaims History;” “Mystery Light 106;” “Riddles from the Past;” and “Picnic Time at Old Presque Isle.” All of these stories came about because of vintage lighthouse post cards. Some helped us to uncover previously lost lighthouse history, while others still remain a mystery, yet to be solved.
Collecting lighthouse post cards, especially vintage post cards, is one of the best and least expensive ways to quench ones thirst for anything lighthouses. As well as being a whole lot of fun, it can be educational as you learn about the lighthouses from the cards you find, and it could easily become a family project. There are a number of Internet sites to find and locate vintage lighthouse post cards, but our favorite is E-Bay. Another good source would be post card shows that you can find advertised in your local area. If you have not yet started to collect lighthouse post cards, it’s never too late and we would highly recommend it.
Who knows, you may discover an extremely rare lighthouse post card or even find one that was sent by or to a lighthouse keeper. Your card may be special enough that you might consider donating it to us for our archives to preserve it for the future, as so many others have done. You can also scan the image and e-mail it to us. Who knows, your find may also help us in reporting on a slice of rediscovered history that can be shared with all and saved for future generations. Whatever the case, collecting lighthouse post cards, whether they be vintage or modern cards may be one of the most rewarding hobbies you can have in this fast-paced society that we live in today.
This story appeared in the
May/Jun 2011 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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