These are two special pieces of artwork that hang in my home and have a great deal of meaning and sentimental value for me. On the left is a watercolor by my Great Aunt Margaret, it was painted in 1908 and is now one-hundred years old. She was one of 26 great aunts and uncles I had (yes, a rather large family... can hardly count the cousins now!). And she was what was called, in her day, a spinster, working many years for the old Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad System. In her spare time, when not painting, would play the organ for live music at movie theaters in Chicago, back when movies were silent.
On the right is an unusual collection of leather postcards, all stitched together. Back in the early 1900s a gentleman near LaFargeville, NY courted my grandmother. He faithfully sent these cards to her, sometimes with a handwritten note on the front, always a note on the back. Most still have postage stamps on them, and postmark dates are legible. Grandma Myra must have been quite fond of this gent -- she saved his postcards -- even though she did not marry that gent, but instead chose my grandfather! This unusual collection is framed in an equally unsual manner: both sides of the frame are glass, with the cards compressed in between so the collection can be hung to view either side.
Guess what? Mommy's Dad worked for C&O for many years. He worked on their car ferries between Michigan and Wisconson. Mommy has some "Chessie" stuff and loves it!
ReplyDeleteThose are truely treasures you have!
Yup... their identity was through two cute kitties... Chessie and
ReplyDeletePeake! We remember seeing their images on boxcars as trains rolled through town.
That is a lovely painting on the left, and what a wonderful way to display both sides of the postcards.
ReplyDeleteMy, that is a large family. Your Great Aunt had a big talent, that painting is beautiful. Now we know that you have inherited the talent with your wonderful graphics. We never knew that leather postcards existed, they are very interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhicky Wuudler
What beautiful artwork! And the memories they hold are priceless!
ReplyDeletepee ess. mom has some Chessie stuff that she's collected....
So pretty and cool. I love the roses.
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming to mine party! It was gweat fun!
ReplyDeleteThose are pawsome family memories, it is marvellous they made it through time!
ReplyDeleteSiena
Wow! What an incredible collection of postcards! And the watercolor is very beautiful. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely pieces of artwork and priceless memories! Your Great Aunt was truly gifted just like you! I must say I have never seen leather post cards like that before! Thank you for sharing them with us!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Toulouse
Wow, your post shivvered Momma, what lovely stories! Thank you so much for sharing part of your history.
ReplyDeleteMomma eats up stuffs like this, she could walk around museums all day..not for the art or the value, for the memories and those they contain... thank goodness Dadda can tolerate it for her ehheh
V-V
Isn't is just wonderful to have those memories? Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteWoos, the OP Pack
Thanks for the pitchur from the last High Five Saturday. I bin bizzy and havvint bin by til today. I love all yur pastel pitchurs. Pritty kitties look like cotton candy!
ReplyDeleteYour Great Aunt Margaret was very talented. It must run in the family. I had never heard of leather postcards before. The collection is very interesting and I am glad that they are framed so you can see both sides.
ReplyDeleteAbout your comment. I had written Jake's limerick before I found out that Pearl was feeling left out. I will do her limerick next.
The rose picture is beautiful. I didn't know there were leather postcards, either. Neat way to frame them.
ReplyDeleteReally priceless treasures.
What treasures you have there! And memories of those from the past.
ReplyDelete