Author: Bob Toal

  • The Mansfield Bar

    The Mansfield Bar

    12 Comments

    The press said Jayne Mansfield was decapitated when her car rear-ended a semi. It wasn’t true, but a movement arose to put safety bars on the rear of every truck. And they’re called . . .

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  • Nobody Collects View Folders

    Nobody Collects View Folders

    18 Comments

    We all know that view folders are the step-children of the Postcard King and Queen. Folders will never receive the Card of the Year Award. Why do folders get so little respect? Many collectors express varied ideas, but a reasonable answer is, no one knows. If there is anyone who has a better notion, he…

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  • An Unassuming Postcard has Historical Significance

    An Unassuming Postcard has Historical Significance

    5 Comments

    There are two piece of American history that will fascinate historians forever: the Civil War and America’s involvement in World War II. These events were measures of every character trait found in mankind. Honor, courage, fear, justice, integrity, greed, hatred, forgiveness, tolerance, valor and audacity are only a few adjectives that describe the generations of…

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  • Dr. Dan Friedman: an interview with a Postcard  Author, Dealer and Pioneer Postcard Aficionado

    Dr. Dan Friedman: an interview with a Postcard Author, Dealer and Pioneer Postcard Aficionado

    4 Comments

    Postcard History is proud to present Dr. Dan Friedman week on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Dr. Friedman is a postcard aficionado in the truest sense of the word.

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  • The Crying Cayuse Twins Postcards

    The Crying Cayuse Twins Postcards

    3 Comments

    Bob Toal tells the story of these iconic postcards, which were widely circulated and sometimes misidentified by several publishers at the height of their popularity. Learn why these twins were special on the Umatilla reservation and will always exemplify the comedy and tragedy of life.

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  • Mount Rushmore

    Mount Rushmore

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    Mount Rushmore is one of America’s most well known and admired memorials. In spite of its popularity the story is not well known. This bit of American History is well recorded in Bob Toal’s postcard collection.

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  • The Mansfield Bar –Mystery  Solved? – Maybe!

    The Mansfield Bar –
    Mystery Solved? – Maybe!

    1 Comment

    Some great detective work by Postcard History readers has solved (?) a mystery surrounding an unusual modern chrome postcard. The card’s title, “Lost My Head Don’t Loose Yours” was featured in the May 30, 2019, launch of this website.

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  • I’d Rather Fight than Switch

    I’d Rather Fight than Switch

    4 Comments

    Selling tobacco with a symbol (the tobacco-store indian statue) or a slogan (“I’d rather fight than switch”) has a long and storied history. But “I’d rather fight than switch” wasn’t original with the old Taryton brand. Here’s the story.

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  • The Flu Pandemic of 1918

    The Flu Pandemic of 1918

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    Every day we live, we learn from history. The current virus epidemic is no exception; it is history repeating itself. Read how the Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918 affected the lives of Americans.

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  • Carving Stone Mountain

    Carving Stone Mountain

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    The memorial carved into Stone Mountain, located 16 miles east of Atlanta, Georgia, has a long and storied history. Nevertheless, one of Postcard History’s contributors has searched the details and sorted out the mystery of its carving and those involved. Mr. Toal has reached deep and presented the facts that have made generations of historians…

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  • The Lipman Postal Card

    The Lipman Postal Card

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    Bob Toal The granddaddy of the American Mailing Card is the Lipman Postal Card of 1872. It is the first private postcard successfully marketed to businesses for mailing advertisements. It also represents the first fully illustrated private postcard in America. As such, this card is historically significant. It is rare and commands a premium at…

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  • Anthony Comstock, September Morn, and the Fillmore

    Anthony Comstock, September Morn, and the Fillmore

    5 Comments

    “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech” is part of the first amendment of the U. S. Constitution. It went into effect on March 4, 1789. Historians are unable to agree when the first debate over censorship started, but we all know it will never end. Postcards are part of that…

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  • Collecting on a Shoestring – In the 25¢ Boxes

    Collecting on a Shoestring – In the 25¢ Boxes

    5 Comments

    A good friend of Postcard History is suggesting how we can find some interesting cards for very little money. There are some real treasures to be discovered if you force yourself out of your comfort zone. Also, it helps if you’re a little curious!

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Past Article

George “Burt” Martin
4 Comments
This postcard history narrative does not portray the lives of saints; it is more akin to the survivals of sinners. Life before political correctness is illustrated by six portraits of five men serving their Queen and a cantankerous priest from a different day.

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