Fort McHenry

On to something which Baltimore is well-know for, Ft. McHenry, the birthplace of The Star Spangled Banner. This is a reproduction of an oil painting by Helen A. F. Penniman.

According to the back of the card, "The monument is that to the commanding officer at that time, Col. George W. Armistead, and the cannon date from the sixties."



Era: Chrome Era (1939-Present Day)
Publisher: Art Photo Engraving Co.
Printed in: Baltimore (Reese Press)



Saturday 25 July 1953
Weather fair and cool left Binghamton Marg and I at 7 o'clock a.m. through Montrose PA route 29 and 309 stopped in Berwick PA for breakfast and York PA for a milk shake. Reached Baltimore at 4:15 pm. Met David at the Emmerson Hotel. We stayed at the YMCA. Got dressed telephoned Tom Anderson who was staying at the Flanigan's on Woodburn Ave. Went out to dinner, then to Flanigans. Visited awhile with Isabel and Tom. Later Tom, David Marg & I went out.

Recipient and Address: Unknown
Postmark(s): None

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 sent 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

Introduction to my blog... The Basin from Federal Hill - Baltimore, MD

Updated Introduction: June 2021 - Recently retired. Finally have time to work on the "fun" things! These are some of my favorite vintage postcards, all per Baltimore, Maryland. I grew up in the area and have memories tied up with many of these locations. To me, each postcard is a precious piece of history, in particular, the cards that were actually sent. Where possible, I try to translate the old handwriting and provide the sender/recipient information as well. You may recognize the name of an old relative or family friend!

ENJOY!

I love this view of "The Basin from Federal Hill". Doesn't it look peaceful? How things have changed!

Era: Undivided Back (1901-1907)
Publisher: Raphael Tuck & Sons "BALTIMORE" Series II. No. 2257
"Oilette"