Ephemera - the classification of postcards

Collectors call it "Ephemera," meaning something fleeting, short-lived or temporary. But these romantic postcards meant a lot to my Grandma Ida Jackson, and she saved them in a cigar box. There are postcards from the "Old Country" written in Slovenian to Andrej Jakin from his mother and his in-laws. There are some to Ida in Swedish from her Swedish cousins in Oregon, and from friends in Pueblo, Leadville and Salida. My favorites are those from Andrej Jakin to Ida MacOwen. His English is rough and his handwriting is crude, but his heart is all hers for all the world to see.

They would marry in May of 1907 and he would Anglicize his name to Andy Jackson. The postcards continued because sometimes he could only find work in Red Cliff, Salida and Pueblo.

When I knew my grandparents they were "old." My grandpa was active at Holy Rosary Church and the Knights of Columbus, and my grandma was busy helping family members and neighbors. I treasure the postcards in the cigar box from grandma's "Affinity." They offer me a glimpse of a young couple in love, navigating the challenges of their lives together: a growing family, unpredictable employment and family separated by jobs. They were married for 54 years. Nothing temporary about it.

Easter Cards

I try to keep up - email, tweets, texts, Facebook, YouTube and two blogs - reporting, documenting and keeping in touch with folks. This constant chatter lies somewhere between feeling engaged and a chore.
But I have a collection of old postcards (an anachronism) addressed to family members in Globeville that I keep in a cigar box (another anachronism). These postcards include elaborate versions covered with glitter and embossing, to more simple cards with seasonal messages. All would require some effort to purchase, compose and mail.
These two Easter cards were from the Mautz family, long-time friends of my grandparents, who kept in touch while living in Salida, Pueblo, Leadville and Denver. Changes in jobs, locations and family situations can be gleaned from the messages, "Happy Easter to Andy and Ida," then to "Andy, Ida, Andy Jr and John." I enjoy the heartfelt messages, the craft of the printing and tenderness of the images. Will anyone want to save our Tweets and emails?

Christmas postcards 1910

These postcards are to and from family members and are dated 1910. The printing is beautiful with gold ink, complex graphics, many colors and some embossed surfaces. The message side is often used as we would use a phone call "will arrive by train on Thursday" or "please send a money order." Some notes are surprisingly personal and tender, considering how visible the content would be: "missing you tonight." Denver was much smaller, too. One card is simply addressed to the Globe Mercantile, Globeville and apparently arrived there alright.