Entries for March 1, 1911 and 2011

Rita's Entry: Wednesday March 1, 1911
Went down to orchestra with Fran.  Moved up to front row of second violins - maybe sort of a promotion - is it, I wonder?  Sounds good anyway - so I will call it that.  Getting acquainted with more people.  March came in too brightly to mean early spring.  After lunch Tin and I walked way up on Clark looking for Postcards.  Then walked over on Reta St.  Worked harmony all evening.  Dandy letter from Ray.  Also one from Elon.

IN RITA'S DAY:  Color postcards as souvenirs didn't become popular in the US until the Chicago Exposition of 1893.  The years from March 1, 1907 until 1915 are considered the Golden Era of Postcards.  The divided back on the cards was legalized on March 1, 1907 so people could write a message and put the address on the same side and leave the entire front for a picture.  Below are postcards of Chicago from this Golden Era.

Seals at Lincoln Park Zoo

Clark Street where Rita shopped

lots of postcards where of fancy buildings in Chicago

TODAY: Deltiolgy, the formal name in the U.S. for postcard collecting, is currently the third largest collectable hobby in the world. It is surpassed only by coin and stamp collecting (in the U.S. baseball collecting is greater, but that is a national past-time not worldwide). The popularity of post cards can be attributed to their broad subject appeal. Almost any subject imaginable has been, at some time, portrayed on a postcard. The broad subject range comes as a result of the social usage cards were designed for. Postcards continue today to be the most popular form of souvenir for travelers as well as economical means of communication both personal and business related. 

Judy's Entry: Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Mom and I went to the zumba chair dancing class at the local senior center.  It was crowded.  We old people like to keep active!  I finally took down my Christmas decorations outside.  There just has been so much snow until now.  Like 100 years ago, March came in brightly... but I still hope for an early spring.