The Fabulous Postcard Projector

It's not even Christmas yet, but here I am the recipient of a marvelous gift. It is so fabulous. Earlier this year, Tracy over at Tracy's Toys bought something she had never seen before--an early 1900s tin postcard projector.  You insert a postcard, and you can project the image on a wall.  I remember seeing it and marveling at it, but I never thought I'd have one of my own. Then, out of the blue, Tracy decided to send it to me. Wow!

Here is the back, where you insert the card. The chimney serves to dissipate the heat from the light bulb.

Here are some side and front views, showing the lens.

And, yes it works, although it takes awhile to switch cards, so your audience may lose patience. I don't see any reflector in the box though, so I'm not sure exactly how it works. Here's a diagram from a 1909 Popular Mechanics article that shows a postcard projector with two lights.

If you love gadgets and toys, be sure to take a look at all of the other good stuff over at Tracy's Toys. Eventually Tracy is going to run out of space to display her collection and she'll have to open a museum. I'm looking forward to that day.

Business in Binghamton #2

If you were a hatter, what would you put on the front of your trade card? Maybe a stylish hat?  Calkin the Hatter decided, for whatever reason, that a horse belonged on the front of his card. The back was blank. The card is from prior to 1886, because in that year Calkin took on a partner and the name of the business was changed to Calkin & Delevan, hatters, furriers, and dealers in men's furnishing goods. It doesn't have the same ring as Calkin the Hatter.

Streetcar Sunday - Altdorf, Switzerland

Altdorf, Switzerland is famous for being the birthplace of William Tell. You can see the statue of him and his son in the center of the square.  And the tram off to the right seems to stop right in front of a brewery - how convenient! Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything else about the tram. I think it's still there, but I'm not sure.

Here's the back of the card.

The message to Mrs. Detting at Heinrichshütte in Rigi Klösterli, Switzerland reads:


Arrived safely in Schatzdorf and received card. Olivia Sprüngli sends many friendly greetings. Extra greetings to Mr. Brinckmann and St. Johannsberi and of course greetings from Elise.