Bonne Année with a Shadow

It's hard to celebrate the New Year with joy and abandon if you have a son, husband, brother or father fighting in a war. These French cards from World War I both show soldiers in the background. In the first one, 'The Dream', a woman envisions her husband in battle, with an angel flying above. She appears to be writing in a diary. Note the inkwell and the rolling blotter at the front of the desk.

The second portrays a hopeful boy in the basket of an air balloon, with soldiers on the field below.

Here are the backs of the cards.

Streetcar Sunday - Auckland, New Zealand - Update

As with most other cities, Auckland initially had horse-drawn trams in 1884. These were replaced with electric trams by 1902, which continued to provide service until the end of 1956, when they were replaced with buses and trolleybuses. Since then, Auckland has had very low levels of transit ridership compared to other cities of similar size - but change is in the air!

Recently, there has been approval to build a new streetcar loop in Auckland, which would introduce heritage trams along Auckland's waterfront. Phase two of the project would connect with the central business district and Queen Street. You can read an interesting discussion of the proposed tram route here and here.
If you're visiting Auckland, you may want to stop and check out the Museum of Transport and Technology.

Bonne Année from Les Enfants

Check out these fancy spats! These children are all dressed up to wish you a Happy New Year.

Here's the back of the second card, written from Yvonne to her Godfather to wish him a Happy New Year.