Thanks to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday!
I was excited when I found this torn card, because I imagined the torn part said "City Hall, Brooklyn." Which would make this a rare and special card.
Brooklyn lost its status as an independent city when it was consolidated into Greater New York in 1898 and became a borough of the big city. This card has a 1909 postmark, and an undivided back (which was discontinued in 1907). My guess is that the postcard is what every collector (of anything) dreams of finding: old store stock. The first line in the message to Miss A. B. Bell of the Lodge, Basin Harbor is "Thanks for the post-cards." Possibly these two correspondents were collectors, and knew the value of this card.
Then again, I could be way off base; could be the torn part said "City of New York, Brooklyn Borough..." Oh, boo. I like my first guess better.
The building, built 1846-1851, was Brooklyn's city hall, and still exists as Brooklyn's Borough Hall.
I used to work at a news service not far from this building. There's a subway stop nearby that's pretty special, as you can see in these photographs. (Not to be confused with the ordinary Jay St. Boro Hall stop on the IND line.) I'll be in Brooklyn tomorrow, visiting Carol Carey, paper doll collector extraordinaire.
Great card and wonderful information. I like your first guess, too! :D :D Happy PFF (Nice to know the building is still there.)
ReplyDeleteThat's special! :)
ReplyDeleteI had NO idea Brooklyn once was a city in its own right!!! Thank you for the info--and for sharing this most unusual postcard. I love these postcards--both of them. Wonderful wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHappy PFF!
I think your first guess is probably right. If you look hard enough, you could probably find the same postcard online somewhere, and then you'd know for sure. In any case, it's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. I like the lovingly way you describe your find and how you compare the image of the postcard and the current situation and pepper with some personal memories. Brooklyn is a wonderful place. Happy PFF.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous old card!
ReplyDeleteThe card is 1901 or later. It probably wouldn't be hard to find one in one piece.
ReplyDeletethere is one like this on eBay. I looked under New York and typed in Brooklyn City Hall.
ReplyDeleteInteresting fantasy, fun info - great post!
ReplyDeleteYes, Postcardy! Just found it, and indeed the card says City Hall, Brooklyn! Thanks for alerting me to it on eBay.
ReplyDeleteLove these old postcards. I am always glad to see these old buildings still in use. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete