World Postcard Day
Did you know that on October 1, 1869, Austria issued the world's first government postcard?
Mystic Stamp Company
The idea came from Dr. Emanuel Herrmann, an economics professor in Vienna. He argued that writing a full letter took far too much time and paper for a short note. Austrian Post agreed and released the Correspondenz-Karte, a plain light-brown card with room for an address on one side and a brief message on the other. The 2-kreuzer stamp was printed right on the card, and it cost half as much to mail as a letter.
It caught on fast. Within a few years, postal services around the world were issuing their own cards. More than 150 years later, the postcard is still one of the simplest ways to send someone a message they can hold in their hands.
Postcard collectors and pen pals now mark October 1 as World Postcard Day.
[For Gramsters, postcards offer opportunities to fill in holes in our other collections. Chief Ouray cards are very popular with MPC collectors and there are many other examples.]
Editorial
I am excited about attending the IKO TAMS (Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio Token and Medal Society) show next weekend (9-10 Oct) in Englewood, Ohio. I have only attended this show a few times, but each time I found some goodies. I have visions of great coin trench art. No MPC but great trench art.
I hope to see at least a few of you there: my cell is 419 349 1872.
Mail Call
The Gram welcomes mail from readers. Mail may be edited for space or clarity. Writers must be known to the editorial office and will be identified in the Gram by real or nickname.
The Battle for Power in Saigon
Dear Editor,
I was delighted to see the picture of the Korean troops landing in Vietnam. It (the picture) will make a nice addition to the next edition of the MPC book!
— David M.
Dear David,
Yikes! While I do agree with you, I do not want to think about the next edition. On the other hand it HAS been three years and we have some other new material too...
— Editor
Training Schedule (calendar)
2026
IKO TAMS Englewood, Ohio 9-10 October. Fred Schwan attending
Michigan State Numismatic Society 20 - 21 November. Kathy Freeland, Fred Schwan attending
2027
MPCFest, Holiday Inn Express, Port Clinton, OH 19-21 March registration required (except bourse 19 - February) 419 349 1872 (questions) 419 732 7322 (registration, ask for Kim).
American Numismatic Association National Money Show, 4-6 March Virginia Beach, VA (Bolings attending).
Michigan State Numismatic Society 9-11 April. Kathy Freeland attending
Georgia Numismatic Association April 16-18, Dalton, GA. (John Phipps, David Marble attending)
Central States Numismatic Society, April 21-24 Schaumburg, IL
Please help us fill in the dates for events listed and give us any additional events that might conflict. Thank you very much.
MPCFest sponsors
Joe and Louise Boling, Mike Buckley, Steve Fahrlander, Ray Feller family, Dave Frank, Kathy Freeland, Loretta Freyser, Al Glaser, Dave Hunsicker, Brett Irick, Jennifer and Eric Kibbey (dba Camelot Coins), Harold Kroll, Bill Myers, Joel Shafer.
MPCFest is possible because of the generous support of its sponsors.
Gram Exchange
Do you have something for sale (or trade)? Are you looking for something for your collection? You can offer items here in the Gram or list specific items that you need.
FOR SALE
Send your text and images (!) to the editor for inclusion in the Gram Exchange. Please send the images in jpeg format with each image in a separate file.
Large World War II home front ration collection featuring an MV red token and ration book 5. Too many items to describe. Contact Dave Frank at dave@frankcomputers.com and I will email you a list of all the items. Would prefer to sell the whole collection rather than individual items. It's a very nice collection accumulated over 25 years.
List your items for sale here for FREE
WANTED
Harold Kroll HARBONS@aol.com