frank - When My Tan Wears Out

Postcard #1074: The Shocking Truth at Victory Field, Indianapolis

Vintage postcard featuring the grand, symmetrical Art Deco entrance to Victory Field in Indianapolis, Indiana, with tall windows, vertical fins, and a rounded canopy over the entrance, all under a blue sky with some green trees and grass. — Front — A grand, Art Deco-style building entrance labeled “Entrance to Victory Field, Indianapolis, Indiana.”

Postcard Metadata

Postmarked: Indianapolis, Ind. — Apr 21, 1947
Sent From: Indianapolis, Indiana
Sent To: Mr. E.T. Mathias, RCA Rep. c/o Santay Corp. 351 N. Crawford Ave. Chicago 24 Illinois
Distance Traveled: Approximately 185 miles
Postage: United States Postage, Washington, 1 Cent, green stamp
Card Details: Divided Back era (post-1907)

Handwritten message on the back of a vintage postcard from — Back — Correspondence from Frank to Mr. E.T. Mathias

Transcription

Dear Gene, Be patient please. The shocking truth will soon be revealed. Frank

Historical & Family Notes

This postcard, sent from Indianapolis in 1947, diverts from the primary Pearl and Harvey narrative, offering a fascinating glimpse into other connections within the family’s broader historical circle. Addressed to Mr. E.T. Mathias, an RCA Representative in Chicago, the cryptic message from “Frank” promising that “The shocking truth will soon be revealed” suggests a personal or professional intrigue unfolding in the post-war landscape.

The front of the card features the impressive Art Deco entrance to Victory Field, a prominent landmark in Indianapolis. While the postcard doesn’t directly involve Pearl and Harvey Sights, its inclusion in the collection enriches the historical context, illustrating the diverse lives and correspondences that co-existed alongside their romance. It hints at the complex web of relationships and the historical backdrop of mid-20th century America.

The mention of RCA and Santay Corp. places this card within the booming electronics and manufacturing industries of the time. This piece reminds us that multi-generational family archives encompass not just core family members but also the broader professional and personal acquaintances who shaped their world, each with their own stories waiting to be unraveled.

Postcard #0042: Niagara Falls Greetings to “Fine Pearl”

Vintage postcard showing the American Falls at Niagara Falls, New York, with a large steel arch bridge spanning the Niagara River above the falls. Mist rises from the powerful waterfall, and a few small figures of people are visible on a pathway on Goat Island in the foreground. The image has a sepia tone, indicative of early 20th-century photography. — Front — A scenic view of the American Falls at Niagara Falls, New York, with the Upper Steel Arch Bridge and tourists on Goat Island.

Postcard Metadata

Postmarked: Niagara Falls, N.Y. — August 14, 1909
Sent From: Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 580 miles
Postage: U.S. POSTAGE ONE CENT green stamp, featuring a profile of George Washington.
Card Details: Divided Back era (1907-present), allowing separate sections for message and address.

The back of a vintage postcard featuring a divided back for message and address. Handwriting in cursive reads — Back — Correspondence from Frank to Miss Pearl Byers

Transcription

Niagara Falls, N.Y. Aug. 14. To fine Pearl, Great. Frank.

Historical & Family Notes

This postcard from Niagara Falls to Miss Pearl Byers in Carthage, Illinois, provides a glimpse into Pearl’s social circle before her eventual marriage to Harvey Sights. Sent by a sender simply identified as “Frank” on August 14, 1909, the brief message, “To fine Pearl, Great,” suggests a casual yet warm acquaintance. Niagara Falls, then as now, was a quintessential destination for scenic wonder, often associated with romantic getaways and honeymoons, though Pearl was still a young, unmarried woman at the time of this correspondence.

The simplicity of the message, a common characteristic of early 20th-century postcards, doesn’t reveal the nature of Pearl’s relationship with Frank. He could be a friend, a family member, or perhaps even a suitor before Harvey Sights entered her life more prominently. Regardless, the card serves as a charming piece of ephemera, documenting a moment in time when Pearl was receiving greetings from various individuals and locations, contributing to the rich tapestry of her personal history.