Back in the day, there were no computers. The interwebby thing did not exist. Television was a dream in the minds of the vacuum tube inventors. Telephones, yes. They were bolted to the wall, or they stood on a desk looking like, well they defied description. The ringing of the phone was an event; and "wires" or telegrams were sure signs of tragic events in the lives of the senders. 89% of today's communications terminology had yet to be created. It may be 92%, but when one makes up statistics, accuracy is not guaranteed.
Pride of possession of a good fountain pen rivaled the pride that the young people today take in their itty-bitty hand-held communications devices. One should know better than to call them "phones" for, while one can use it to make a phone call, few actually do so. It is used for such a host of other tasks that I can only tell you that this old fountain-pen-using troglodyte does use it for phone calls. And for nothing else.
The stack of letters shown above were handwritten with a pen, delivered from one's place of residence to the home of the recipient by the United States Post Office. As you may note by the first-class stamp shown, the cost was three US cents. Mail delivery was effected Monday through Saturday, and it was brought to your door twice a day. I know. You are incredulous, unless you, too, can remember the day. Or unless you are so very young that you are thinking, "What do I care about the old poop and his day?"
8 comments:
I remember with pride when I finally owned a fountain pen. I had arrived! Then I upgraded and got one that used ink cartridges. It was a lot less messy. Wouldn't dare use one day. With my hand tremors, I'd make one horrible mess.
PS. I don't own a cell phone and the instrument is used only for calls, but the base unit has a built in digital answering machine.
Hey, old poop! I too remember 3 cent stamps. I had a couple of real fountain pens, but quickly upgraded to cartridges, like Chuck.
Chuck-- The siphon and the Quink bottle were a tricky combo, all right.
Shark-- That old, eh? Biggest problem I have today with the pen is finding ink for it.
This post is part of my current scavenger hunt. You should get some additional comments.
Sad to say, I also remember 3 Cent stamps. Postcard stamps for a penny. Oh my, I am old...
Shark-- We welcome you here again. Did you win a prize?
Emma-- Guess we are all aging at the same rate! Thanks for the visit.
wow- did i read the postal mark correctly- 1932? cool. i'd like to have stamp that vintage in my collection =]
Ian-- 1932 is correct. It was a letter my mother sent to Dad shortly before they were married.
Please visit again!
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