A postcard from Xanthi

An image of a place, a few words crammed into the margins trying to convey as much as possible, and a human story: these elements defined a postcard. In the modern digital age, postcards may have lost their practicality, but in the 19th and 20th centuries, they were highly popular, offering a simple and inexpensive way to communicate, as well as a souvenir. While today they might be used by only a few romantics, old postcards still retain significant collectible and artistic value. Their brief text could be seen as a precursor to the posts on social media. The information they provide serves as a historical document, offering insights that complement grand historical narratives. The picture is a postcard of Xanthi depicting the building of one of Kosynthos’ bridges, in the late 19th century. The French text informs us that Miss Callirhoe visited Xanthi in May 1905 for her cousin’s wedding and is sending her impressions to her friend Isabelle in Bordeaux, France.