Friends Meeting, Monument and Eutaw Streets, Baltimore

The Sunpaper reported on September 4, 1867 that The Society of Friends had moved their meeting to this new building, which cost $30,000.  Johns Hopkins was listed as a contributor of $3,000 to the venture.

Era:  Divided Back (1907-1914)
Publisher: "Cofle"?  1910

Oct. 15.13.  You are earnestly requested to attend "Grange Meeting". Frid. 17.  8-P.M. at the home of Mrs. Fred R. Hoshace.  Alvan J. Jones, Sec.

Recipient and Address:  Mr. Pleasant A. Stiffler  Parkton, Md.

According to Ancestry.com, Pleasant Archibald Stiffler was born on Aug. 15, 1874, making the married farmer 39 years old at the time of this postcard.

Postmark(s):  Parkton? MD  Oct. 1913
Cancelled George Washington penny stamp.

Cathedral and Y.M.C.A. Bldg., Baltimore, Maryland

Interestingly enough, the prominent building in this postcard is the Cathedral. However, the back of the card refers to the Y.M.C.A. Building on the left of the card.  The Cathedral is the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Assumption, built from 1806-1821, which just celebrated their 200th Anniversary Mass on May 31, 2021. 

Era:  Divided Back (1907-1914)
Publisher: Harry P. Cann & Bro. Co., Baltimore, Maryland

Printed in: Boston, Mass.

Baltimore, MD., Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Still housing an active church, the 1817 structure remains. According to Wikipedia, "in the 1930s, the faux blocking was removed , leaving only tracery around the windows." You can see per the picture below how the appearance has changed.  For more information on this church...

Current appearance:

Era:  Undivided Back (1901-1907)
Publisher: The Hugh C. Leighton Co., Portland, ME

Printed in: Germany

Corpus Christi (Jenkins' Memorial) Church

 Consecrated on January 1, 1891, this Roman Catholic church was designed by architect Patrick Charles Keely and is located at 110 West Lafayette Avenue in Baltimore. For more information...

Era:  Divided Back (1907-1914)
Publisher: I.&M. Ottenheimer, Baltimore, MD

Printed in: Germany

Dear Em & All.  Next week we are at Keiths Theater, Portland, Me  We will write a letter next week  it is about time for you to write  Love to all  Jim + Dot

(Wonder if this postcard's senders were in vaudeville, finishing up in Baltimore

 and going on to B.F. Keith's Theater in Portland, ME?)

Recipient and Address:  Miss Emma Myers  289 N. Market St  Ottumwa, Iowa

Postmark(s):  Baltimore, Md Jan 15, 1909
Cancelled Ben Franklin penny stamp.

"Mount Vernon Place" M.E. Church, Baltimore, Md.

A close-up of the church you see in so many pictures of the Baltimore Washington Monument.  The beautiful structure has graced Baltimore since 1872. 

Era:  Divided Back (1907-1914)
Publisher: The Valentine & Sons' 

Co., Ltd., NY Printed in: Great Britain

October 23 '08

The Great Baltimore Fire, February 7, 1904

 Just acquired this postcard, another one per the Great Baltimore Fire. The postcard is pretty beat-up as was the town.  Amazing fire-proof building materials saved the building frames, but couldn't help with the interiors.

Era:  Undivided Back (1901-1907)
Publisher: Unknown Printed in: Unknown

Recipient and Address:  J. Masen  Asst Sufor, Howell Bldg., Corning, NY

Postmark(s):  Corning, 1904
Cancelled Ben Franklin penny stamp.

Municipal Airport Dundalk, near Baltimore, Maryland

It appears this card was sent in 1942, the same year that the United States Army took over the Baltimore Municipal Airport.  Within the same year, Winston Churchill also departed from here after seeing President Roosevelt.

Era:  Linen (1930-1945)

Publisher: I.&M. Ottenheimer, Baltimore, MD

Printing: US - C.T. Art-Colortone (Curt Teich Co.- Chicago)

2nd pd Study Hall Sept 22/42

Dear Arthur; I just rec'd your letter today. It had Mrs. Francis Bland on it. - Ha! Ha! But he is just a boy that I liked pretty good.  Where is Fred at now? Tell him I said to write soon.  How old are you?  As Ever, Dorothy Jane

Recipient and Address:  Mr Arthur Helmick 122 Pearl St, Camden, NJ

Postmark(s):  Mailed from Huntington, WV Oct 2 (42)

Cancelled Industry-Agriculture For Defense Penny Stamp, Oval Duplex Cancel

Baltimore Upper Harbor, Baltimore, Md.

 This postcard was send during WWII and features the Baltimore Upper Harbor. According to the back of the card:  "Baltimore is the eighth largest city of the United States. The Port of Baltimore has 53 regular steamship lines and affords every facility for the expeditious and economical handling of warehouse shipments".

Era:  Linen (1930-1945)

Publisher:  Calvert News Co.,Baltimore, MD

Printing: Tichnor Bros. Inc. in Boston, Mass

Dear Alberta. Well here I am heading South before getting home, but hope to get home on my way back in November. Mac

Recipient and Address:  Miss A. Zentgraf, 449 Oley St., Berkshire Hgts. Reading, PA

(According to ancestry.com, in the 1940 census, Miss Zentgraf worked as a "passer" (in the hosiery industry?) She lived to be 90 years old and does not appear to have ever married.)

Postmark(s):  Mailed from Laurel, MD Aug 1, 1944
Cancelled Freedom of Speech and Religion, from Want and Fear penny stamp.

Riverview Park, Baltimore, Md.

View of the popular Riverview Park (1890-1929).  The postcard's sender remembers the 10-cent lemonade sold there.  Check out this other remembrance of a trip to the park.

Era:  Divided Back (1907-1914)
Publisher: Rinn Publ. Co. (No. 685) Printed in: Germany

August 19, 1909 Dear Parents, A few lines as this will be a post-card letter. I think you will remember this place. It is the 10 cent lemonade place. Ha! Ha! Well, it is nearly 6 & I want to send these. I have been on my feet-since before 6 this a.m. & I am nearly played out. I can hardly go it on my foot.  Love to all. 

River View of Baltimore, Md.

 Nighttime view of the Baltimore Harbor in the early 1900's.  Looks so peaceful.

Era:  Divided Back (1907-1914)

Publisher: Illustrated Post Card Company, NY Printed in: ?

Will leave here tomorrow evening. Did you receive the "brickle/hickle?" I sent you? Let me know so I can look it up. It is pouring down rain; hope it will be a good night tomorrow.  Martha

Recipient and Address:  Miss Edna D. Gold  118 Mc.Callie Ave., Chattanooga, Tenn.

(According to Ancestry.com, it seems that Miss Gold was a clerk at The Frictionless Metal Company)

Postmark(s):  Baltimore, MD Sep 29, 1908

Cancelled Franklin Penny Stamp

A Busy Scene Along the Wharves, Baltimore, MD

 Beautifully detailed postcard of an active wharf along the Baltimore harbor in the early 1900's. The postcard's author relates that she got on a steamer at this location which took her to Port Deposit, Maryland.

Here is where we got on the steamer to go to Port Deposit.  Katie  8/22/'06

Era:  Undivided Back (1901-1907)

Publisher: Illustrated Postcard Company, New York Printed in: US?

Recipient and Address:  Mr. John Sachs, Jr. 228 St. James St., Lancaster, PA

Postmark(s):  Port Deposit, MD Aug 22, 1906 - Lancaster, PA Aug 23, 1906

Cancelled Ben Franklin Penny stamp

Oyster Fleet in Harbor, Baltimore, Md.

From the boats themselves to the many canneries at the harbor's edge, the oyster market was a significant part of the Baltimore economy at the turn of the century.

E.L. Buell

Era:  Undivided Back (1901-1907)

Publisher: J. Thos. Smith, Baltimore, Md (#104) Printed in: Germany

Recipient and Address:  Miss Nesbit, 603 Whitney Bldg Detroit, Michigan

Postmark(s):  Baltimore, MD Oct 21 1907

Cancelled 

Baltimore from Federal Hill in 1800.

Lovely bucolic scene with folks resting and conversing right next to the goat and cow. The dogs in the middle appear to be annoying the geese. 

Era:  Undivided Back (1901-1907)

Publisher: Rinn Publ. Co. (#634) Printed in: Germany

Dear Uncle, We expect to bring Nettie home Sunday on the same train we came in h: 26 pm, cant you phone to Uncle Will tell them so If they want to go to Thurmont go so they can go before Sunday. It is very cool "hear" this morning.  Mamma has been busy every minute since our return. hope you are both feeling better, will write you after Nellie comes home. wish you could go to see her. be a nice ride for you. with love to all my cold isn't any better. Lovingly May.

Recipient and Address:  Mr. Lewis M. Lintz East 4th St., Frederick City, MD

Postmark(s):  Baltimore, MD Sep 2

Cancelled Franklin Penny Stamp

Baltimore's Washington Monument, Mt. Vernon Square, Baltimore, MD

 Looking at two more Baltimore Washington Monument postcards. The 1st is part of the Ullman's "Gold Border" Series, (View# 3054). It also featured glitter embossing along some of the building outlines.  Nice close-up of the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, built in 1870-1872.

Era:  Undivided Back (1901-1907)

Publisher: The Ullman Manufacturing Co., New York Printed in: US

The 2nd card views the monument from the other side and was postmarked August 28, but I don't see the year. There was a divorcee named Bessie Darling who was murdered in 1933 at her hotel in Western Maryland.  This card is addressed to "Miss", whereas Darling was her married name, but I've been wondering if it could be the same woman years before her misfortune.

Dear Miss Bessie  are having a nice time.   Jane.

Era:  Undivided Back (1901-1907)

Publisher: MNC - Metropolitan News Company, (Boston & Germany) Printed in: Germany

Recipient and Address:  Miss Bessie Darling, Hamilton, Balto. Md.

Postmark(s):  Hamiltion Sta., Balto., MD Aug 28

Cancelled Commemorative Series - Founding of Jamestown - Capt. John Smith - Penny Stamp