Streetcar Sunday - The Hague, Netherlands

A horse-drawn trams system started transporting passengers in The Hague in 1864.  After that, there were also electric trams and a steam-powered tramway between The Hague and Scheveningen, a beach resort.  This card from about 1910 shows a tram passing by the famous Ridderzaal.

The Hague is the seat of government in the Netherlands, but it is not the capital (that would be Amsterdam.) This always strikes me as very odd, and I can't think of another country where the two roles are split between different cities, can you? The Hague is also the judicial capital of the United Nations.

Today, The Hague has as extensive network of electric trams, although there is no longer one operating on this side of the Ridderzaal. There is also a  Public Transport Museum in The Hague, housed in a beautiful old tram depot.

Here's a postcard I received recently from Fred, who lives in The Hague. The Ridderzaal is shown in the upper left-hand corner.

Life is Tentative

One American postcard and one French postcard. What they both have in common is a sense of uncertainty.

Note that in the upper right-hand corner of the photo there is part of a sign:

It appears to say: plusieurs appartements et logement à louer or several apartments and lodgings to rent.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order.

Don't forget to check out  all the other Sepia Saturday posts for a real treat.

French Fish Friday

I just realized that it's been ages since I posted a French Poisson d'Avril card, so it's high time I posted some more. Be sure to click here to see an earlier post that explains all about the origins of the April 1 fish. And, if you are as captivated as I am by these fish, there are 9 other posts here on the subject.

The card's message reads:

You would know the reasons we are sending you these fish.

And don't you love that the woman is labeled as Louisa and the man's fish is labeled Urbain. Very cute.

Here's another gem: