Postcards are like text messages from another era. Always brief, generally informal, often part of an extended exchange, and sometimes conveying little more than a modern emoticon.

The Images

The early history of "picture" postcards dates back to at least 1840 in England. The modern era of postcards in the United States began in 1898 when Congress passed the Private Mailing Card Act.

The Content

Always personal, sometimes wistful, full of detail or just a few words, each card carries its message in a very public way but most meaningful only for the sender and recipient.

The Mysteries

Who were these people? What was their relationship? When did they last part? Some of the cards reveal almost nothing and others provide a tantalizing glimpse into past lives.