Beautiful Manitoba Series (Russell Lang)

Another in the "Beautiful Manitoba Series" published by Russell, Lang & Co. of Winnipeg, this time showing championship rowers out on the Red River. The message is amusing: "Oct. 22nd/04 Poplar Point / Dear Ethel, How did you enjoy yourself at the fair. I should like to know how many different young men you had to take you home. I like to keep up with the times. Fred" Referring to the image of the young oarsmen, he adds, mischievously, "Pick which you like, four for a Dime (5d)." This is addressed to Miss E. Stokes, 4 Poplar Grove, Narnabell St., Holderness Rd, Hull, Yorkshire, England. The postmark on the undivided back card appears to be October 25, 1904.

Unused card from Russell, Lang & Co.'s "Beautiful Manitoba" series. Undivided back.

A new example in Russell, Lang & Co.'s "Beautiful Manitoba Series" -- this shows the YMCA Building at Portage and Smith, which shortly thereafter was purchased by Birks Jewellers and extensively altered to become their Winnipeg store. The Birks Building remains in this location in almost unchanged form 100 years later. While the c. 1912 renovation from YMCA (above) to Birks made major changes to the exterior of the building, the window pattern is mostly recognizable and one of the peaked towers (the one around the side) was retained. In this version, the central window on the uppermost floor (which window was removed during the renovation) has the name "Young Men's Christian Association" carved around the semi-circular arch that encloses it. The letter, addressed to "Miss Gilbert, Coventry Road, Hinckley, England", has a Fort William & Winnipeg RPO cancel. It reads: "6/7/04 Dear Minnie, Altho I am here in Winnipeg, I can make no advance in seeing George. I have been to the Emirgration office + the C. P. Railway but they are much too busy to answer inquiries -- they are swarmed with new arrivals. This is a most wonderful town, better laid out than any I have ever seen + with better warehouses + business places than anything in England. Streets 44 + 60 feet wide - avenues of trees - Beautiful lawn mown grass 10 feet wide in the centre + on either side between the roadway + causeway. It is marvellous. Both well. Hope you all are. Frank."

This is a common image but I don't think I previously had it as part of the "Beautiful Manitoba Series" of Russell, Lang & Co. Postmarked (split-ring) at Reaburn, Manitoba on -- 16, 1907 to Mr. + Mrs. Earl, Conservative Club, Victoria Road, Stanford le Hope, Essex, England. Undivided back "Private Post Card"

Another in Russell, Lang's "Beautiful Manitoba Series" ... postcard buyers just couldn't get enough of the Silver Heights "buffalo", it seems...