Beatific Smiles

I bought both of these photo postcards for their beatific smiles. Something about them radiates calm, warmth, trust, hope, honesty, and a total lack of malice. They act as a tonic to renew my faith in humankind. Am I reading too much into the photographs? Probably - but for a dollar or two a piece I  think I got my money's worth. They both make me smile too.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order. Based on the stamp boxes, both are from approximately the same time period: 1904-1920.

To view more old photos and the fascinating stories that accompany them, check out the many wonderful posts of Sepia Saturday.

No Nice Boys Yet

More from the Bee family! The Bee family lived in the Rosemount Buildings in Edinburgh, Scotland. This card was sent to Chrissie Bee from her friend Isa.

Here's the back of the card:

The message reads:

Dear Chrissie,

How do you like this. I am enjoying myself #1.

But have seen no nice boys as yet.

Yours with love

XXXXXXXXXX

Isa

The Rosemount Buildings were built in 1860 and are now part of Edinburgh's West End Conservation District. They were unusual in that they were built of red brick with yellow brick accents, instead of traditional stone. You can read more about the conservation area here at the Friends of Gardner's Crescent.

Picadilly Circus

Wow, the backside includes a quote from the Prime Minister. Which Prime Minister? Does it matter? It seems to me it does.  It turns out this quote is from Winston Churchill, from a 1940 speech calling all men to fight against the Nazis. So, why don't they include his name?

And here's another view from a little later:

I love all of the ads, and I'm glad to know that Guinness is good for you. Bovril is also front and center. Don't tell anyone, but I actually like the stuff.

This card was sent in 1954, though the picture is from an earlier date. Here's the back, with no quote from any Prime Minister:

The message to the H. Hieronimus Family reads:

I expect Char will remember this spot. Lots of nite life

Leaving in 1/2 hour for Brussels, beautiful country you bet. Love Uncle Henry

Earlier this year, the Vintage Postcard Gallery blog featured another Valentine's postcard of Piccadilly Circus. It seems full of traffic just like these, but there is not an advertisement to be seen, which I find peculiar.  I guess it was  limited to one part of the intersection. Be sure to take a look at the other post here, because Debs will actually tell you about Piccadilly Circus too, something I neglected to do.