Birthday Congratulation

That's right - only one congratulation. We don't want to give in to excess after all.

Most of the birthday cards I have seen feature roses if they have any flowers at all. These two cards both have pictures of Edelweiss. That's very unusual. The first card was printed in Germany and the second one may have been too, which might explain why there's Edelweiss.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order. The first one was sent to Miss mabel Every in Bloomville, New York in 1914.

The second one, to Miss May Carey of Tunkhannock, New York, may have been sent in an envelope. The message reads:

If you do not come on diamond and come on local why phone me from station and I will come and meet you.

Norman

Just in case you thought Diamond was the name of May's horse, it was actually the Black Diamond,  a passenger train that ran between New York City and Buffalo from 1896 to until 1959.

Tram Tuesday - More from the Côte d'Azur

What I would give to be able to travel back in time and ride on the French Riviera's tram system through Nice, Monte Carlo and surrounding towns! Here are two views of the trams emerging out of tunnels. The contrast of the tunnels, the sweeping ocean views, and the rugged coastline must have been breathtaking.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order. The second one was written in German and sent to someone in Kaltenhausen, Germany. If someone can decipher that wicked Suetterlin writing, please let me know.

Come back next week for some spectacular views of trams in Le Cannet.

Abraham Lincoln Assasination

Even though his presidency was cut short, the United States would likely be a very different place today if Abraham Lincoln had not been president. On April 14th, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth as the President was watching a performance of play called Our American Cousin. Lincoln died early the next day.  Although Lincoln was unaware of a specific danger on this evening, he had received threats and was aware that his life was in danger.

This is a view of the theater where it happened. The car and its passengers seem to have been added to embellish a postcard that might otherwise have been regarded as stark and boring.

This postcard that shows the Lincoln residence in Springfield, Illinois on the day of his funeral. Lincoln's body was brought by train from Washington D.C. to Springfield, Illinois with several stops along the way where he lay in state. The train arrived in Springfield on May 3, 1865. This was the first national commemoration of a president's death by rail.

It was just a few weeks earlier that Lincoln went to meet General Grant in Virginia to discuss the final stages of the Civil War. General Grant and his wife might well have accompanied the President to the performance that fateful night if Mrs. Grant had not insisted on leaving that evening to visit their children in New Jersey.

And here are the backs of the cards in the same order.

 The text of the card, sent to Mrs. Pharis Luckey of Cromwell, Indiana, reads:

Goshen, Ind.

3-26-14

Dear Ma:-

Aunt Sue had to have the Dr. come to the house for Grandma this morning she has congestnig of the lungs. he thinks she will be all right in a short time but Ma she is pretty sick - sicker than she lets us know so if you want to come down you can.

Minnie

Tell Jim