San Francisco Cable Car

 

This card was sent in a RR group.

The picture was taken 134 years ago (in 1880) by Carleton Watkins, an American Photographer. It shows a well-known public transport service: The Cable Car which is still in use nowadays. Also, the stretch of California Street shown in the picture hasn't change much and in its vicinity there is the Car Cable Museum (1201 Manson Str.) which worth a visit if you're in the area.

And now about the stamps. All are issued in 2014.

First shows the head of Abraham Lincoln memorial statue housed inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The second portrays Harvey Milk, first openly gay candidate elected to political office in California. The colors of the gay pride flag appear in a vertical strip in the top left corner.

The third symbolize Chinese Year of The Horse and is a part of Celebrating Lunar New Year series introduced in 2008 by USPS. The drumsticks are painted in red, which is Chinese color for luck and the drums were decorated with peonies, traditional symbols of prosperity.

Thank You, Brenda !

Country: United States

Description: San Francisco Street Cable Car (1880)

Photo: Carleton Watkins (1829-1916)

Location: California Street, San Francisco

First Official Card

 

Today was a big surprise.  
My first official card arrived, after traveling 9 days from US, as well.

It's a reproduction of a vintage card, one of many 1950 style, covering American States. Even the paper feels like a vintage one, although is linen brand new.
There are states symbol all over it.
Firstly, in the upper left corner there is the California poppy (Eschscholzia Californica). This was designated the state flower of California in 1903. It is also known under different names such as "the flame flower", "la amapola" or "copa de oro" (cup of gold)., The flower grows wild throughout California and native Indians valued it as a food source and for the oil extracted from the plant. Every year, April 6 is California Poppy Day and May 13th - 18th is Poppy Week.
The lower right corner is taken by the California State Capitol build in Neoclassical style and home of the State Government .
All letters that form CALIFORNIA host something representative for this state.
The well know are the Golden Gate Bridge (first A) and The Chandelier Tree (last I). For the others letters I have some difficulties identifying the symbols exactly. Here is a better resolution picture and perhaps someone will be kind enough to help.

On the backside there were two other surprises (beside the text from the sender): a beautiful round forever stamp and a QR code with a California Sunset small movie. I love scanning QR codes, even this practice is not so popular among forum users.
The stamp was issued in 22 April 2014 and features a visual representation of our planet’s sea surface temperature, with North America continent in the center. Very beautiful and educational.

Thanks for all, Jacqueline!

Country: United States
Description: Reproduction of a Vintage Postcard
Photo: DavidAllensCardCollection.com #1004