Spitball Army

Card is titled: “401. VERSAILLES. – Le Bassin de Lafone, le Tapis Vert et le Canal. – l.l.”

Printed on back of post card: CARTE POSTALE.

Card is titled: “Montezuma Castle, Camp Verde, Arizona.”

Printed on back of postcard:

MONTEZUMA CASTLE national monument is a five story structure, 40 feet tall, 70 feet wide, contains 20 rooms packeted into its cliff cavern 46 feet to the base of a limestone cliff.

Publishing information:

Pub. by Tempe Distribution Co. A “Colourpicture” Publication, Boston 15, Mass., U.S.A.

I love classical music and, of course, that includes Mozart. So much of so-called “art music” is plainly inaccessible to the average ear, including mine. Just give me a solid melody, craftily-set and well-executed, and I’m happy. Mozart, if we’re led to believe the stories and the film Amadeus, strove to be populist and to be loved for his work. He succeeded, didn’t he?

Here are some slow movements from one of the musical genres that Mozart most definitely mastered: the piano concerto. They’re relaxing at any time of day, especially when one might be wanting to unwind with the eventual goal of catching a few zzz’s.

Approximate playing time: 65 minutes.

1. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 15 in B flat major, K. 450 (Leonard Bernstein, piano)
2. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414 (Murray Perahia, piano)
3. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K. 503 (Murray Perahia, piano)
4. Larghetto from Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major, K. 537 “Coronation” (Murray Perahia, piano)
5. Larghetto from Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major, K. 595 (Keith Jarrett, piano)
6. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467 (Murray Perahia, piano)
7. Andantino from Piano Concerto No. 9 in E flat major, K. 271 “Jeunehomme” (Murray Perahia, piano)
8. Larghetto from Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491 (Murray Perahia, piano)

Card is titled: “P-46. Arizona Biltmore and Camel Back Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona.”

Publishing information:

Distributed by Lollesgard Specialty Co., Tucson, Arizona. Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art-Colortone” Post Card (Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.).

Text on front of postcard:

TELEGRAM: If the Person receiving this Telegram doubts its truthfulness, he may continue to do so and has full permission to chase himself. The Telegram can be repeated any day by buying another one like it. In this manner it can be repeated as often as you like.

Receiver’s No. 2323

Time filed: 5-16-08.

To: Miss Calvin

Place very attractive. Made a very good catch.

Will call you about it later

Jim R.

Card is addressed to Miss Mave Calvin, Athens, Ala, R. 4. Postmarked at 11 AM on May 16, 1908.

Publishing information:

Telegram Series. Copyrighted 1908 by Franz Huld Company. Publishers, New York.

One of several watercolor picture/postcards that were apparently scissor-cut from a postcard book featuring scenes in and around Birmingham, Alabama.

This card pictures “Jefferson Hillman Hospital, Birmingham, Ala.”

The greasy spoon waitress lets out a whoop and waves the ten-dollar tip in the air. She shoots a glance at my table: a challenge.