Unknown; Myers, Charles C. (Charles Cleveland), 1879-1942

Postcard showing a large building, the Palace of Versailles, from a distance. A statue is visible towards the foreground. Charles C. Myers notes that this view is from the palace’s gardens and shows one of many examples of statuary throughout the grounds.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is a view of the rear of the Palaces taken from the gardens. Notice here some of the statuary that is distributed throughout the garden.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a tiered fountain without the effects of water. Fountain contains statues of people, turtles, and frogs. Statuary visible in the background along tree-lined boulevards. Charles C. Myers notes this is one of many fountains at the Palace of Versailles and that the boulevard leads to one of several artificial lakes in the gardens.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Looking the opposite direction from the palace we see one of the many fountains–not in action when picture was taken–so you can see to a better advantage the effect of the artistic decoration. Also notice in the distant [sic] the many marble statues. In the far distant, center of picture, is one of the many artificial lakes. Not far to the left [sic] of this picture if the open air theatre, which we will see later.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a crowd surrounding one of the water features of the gardens at the Palace of Versailles. Charles C. Myers notes that the water sprays reach a height of fifty feet.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is one of the flowing fountains in action, the spray being thrown to a height of 50 ft.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a crowd surrounding one of the water features of the gardens at the Palace of Versailles. Charles C. Myers notes that the palace is visible in the distance.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Another one of the fountains, the palace in the distant [sic].”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing an overhead view of the Palace of Versailles, its grounds with twelve fountains, and the city of Versailles. Charles C. Myers notes that the view is as seen from an air balloon.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here is a magnificent view of the gardens and palace as seen from a balloon, showing 14 of the flowing fountains. To the left you can see the open air theatre within the collanades [sic] of marble. You can also see much of the marble statuary scattered around the gardens. In the center is the palace and the city beyond.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the interior of a neoclassical chapel with columns, archways, and a painted ceiling. Charles C. Myers identifies it as the chapel next to the Palace of Versailles. He comments on the various artistic details.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “We saw an exterior view of the small chapel or cathedral, now here is an interior view of the same place. Notice the beautifully designed floor which looks like costly rugs, but it is only mosaic work, colored stones or tiling so artistically arranged as to represent very finely woven rugs. The paintings overhead are among the leading paintings of one of the leading painters of the 17th century. It is said that there is a lost art in painting as was done in those days as their brilliancy increases with age instead of fading as paintings of modern times. These paintings are over 200 years old and yet they seem as fresh as if they were only finished and hardly dry.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a large hallway lined with paintings and busts. Charles C. Myers identifies it as one of the galleries in the south wing of the Palace of Versailles. He comments on the gallery’s dimensions and notes that there are paintings of battles scenes of the American Revolutionary War. Myers discusses the art of making the tapestries and rugs also on display in the gallery.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is one of the galleries of the south wing of the palace. This hall is 400 ft long and 45 ft wide, but is divided in the middle by a set of columns. In the far end of the hall is to be seen many rare paintings and battle scenes and many scenes in America during the Revolutionary War. The siege of Yorktown in 1781 is one of the most prominent paintings in the hall. Here in the near end of the hall that which appears to be paintings is very fine tapestries and all amde [sic] by hand, representing battle scenes of the 13th to 16th centuries. The art of making these fine tapestries seems to be a secret kept by a certain sect or class of people and passed on to the next generation. This tapestry work is still done is Paris but is so expensive that few are made for other than Royal families. From across the room you would be willing to take oath that these tapestry pieces were fine paintings.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

This postcard shows a calendar for 1911 underneath the portrait of a woman. Charles C. Myers explains that he chose this postcard less for the calendar it shows, but for the example of mosaic tiling, which surrounds the picture of the woman. Many of the tables in Versailles were covered in mosaic tiling.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is a French post card calendar, but I have it to show at close range some of the mosaic work which is done by placing pieces of stone or tiling of the proper color and shade, together in an artistic way so as to properly form the desired object. The roses and leaves in the background of this picture are of mosaic and not painted as you think. most all the tables in the rooms of the palace have a covering of mosaic.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. Charles C. Myers notes the history of the Coronation Chair, as well as the Stone of Scone visible underneath the chair.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is the famous Coronation Chair used in the coronation ceremonies when Kings are crowned. Under the seat is the famous Stone of Scone, the emblem of the power of the Scottish Princes and traditionally said to be that once used by the patriarch Jacob as a pillow.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey. Charles C. Myers notes the statues represent notable men, but the individuals are not buried in the Abbey. Myers lists several of the men who have statues in this corner of the Abbey.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Here is one view of the Poets corner in the Abbey and in this corner are statues erected to the memory of noted men who are buried elsewhere than in the Abbey. Some of these are, Joseph Addison, Lord McCauley, Thackery, Shakespeare, Robt. Burns and others.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a stone wall with various carved statues and alcoves. Charles C. Myers identifies the area as part of Westminster Abbey’s poetry room in London, England, which honors British poets.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “Another view of the Poets corner where are placed statues etc in memory of Lord Tenneson [sic], Thos. Shadwell, John Milton, Longfellow, Chauser [sic] and others well known to all literary people.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a cathedral. Charles C. Myers identifies it as St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England, and describes the building’s dimensions and how the money was raised to construct it. He comments on the cathedral’s “whispering gallery” and compares it to the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “St Pauls [sic] Cathedral is one of the most noted buildings in London and said to be the fourth largest church building in the whole world. This church is 500 ft long and 250 ft wide and was built in the latter part of the 16th century at a cost of $3,700,000, this money being raised by an extra tax on coal that came into the harbor at london [sic]. The large dome is 102 ft in diameter and by going up a stairs of 260 steps from the floor of the church you are far up inside the dome and in what is called the whispering gallery where you can distinctly hear the whisper of a person on the opposite side of the gallery 102 ft away. It is quite equal to the hall in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City where you can distinctly hear the drop of a pin in the far end of the hall 250 ft away. While in this whispering gallery in the dome of St Pauls [sic] Cathedral you can look below and see these seats in the main chapel 260 steps below. This is the main chapel of the church and situated in the center of the building. The seats for the choir and the High Altar are seen in the distant [sic].”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the interior of a cathedral with rows of chairs. Charles C. Myers identifies it as St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England. He notes the seats are under the cathedral’s dome.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “St Pauls [sic] Cathedral is one of the most noted buildings in London and said to be the fourth largest church building in the whole world. This church is 500 ft long and 250 ft wide and was built in the latter part of the 16th century at a cost of $3,700,000, this money being raised by an extra tax on coal that came into the harbor at london [sic]. The large dome is 102 ft in diameter and by going up a stairs of 260 steps from the floor of the church you are far up inside the dome and in what is called the whispering gallery where you can distinctly hear the whisper of a person on the opposite side of the gallery 102 ft away. It is quite equal to the hall in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City where you can distinctly hear the drop of a pin in the far end of the hall 250 ft away. While in this whispering gallery in the dome of St Pauls [sic] Cathedral you can look below and see these seats in the main chapel 260 steps below. This is the main chapel of the church and situated in the center of the building. The seats for the choir and the High Altar are seen in the distant [sic].”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a stone bridge spanning a river with horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians. A barge is visible on the river, and buildings are in the background. Charles C. Myers identifies it as the reconstructed London Bridge across the Thames River. It carries a large amount of London’s traffic.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This is the noted London Bridge and until 1769 this was the only bridge across the Thames River at London and it is still the most noted structure across the river. The real London bridge was several times destroyed by the raging river and as many times remodeled. The structure as it now stands was completed in 1831 at a cost of 3 1/2 million dollars. The bridge is 928 ft long and 63 ft wide. It is said the daily patronage of the bridge is about 22,000 vehicles and 110,000 persons on foot.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing the dining area of an inn with tables around a fireplace and pictures hanging on the walls, including a portrait. Charles C. Myers identifies it as Ye Cheshire Cheese Restaurant in London, England, where writers Samuel Johnson and Charles Dickens often visited. The portrait is of Johnson. Myers notes that he ate Thanksgiving dinner at the restaurant in 1910.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “This being about noon on Thanksgiving Day 1910. We now visit the Old Cheshire Cheese Restaurant which is one of the oldest and most noted of small eating places in London. This place originally got its name from the excellent way in which they serve the noted Cheshire Cheese. This is preserved in its original old way and is very interesting place to visit. It was in this same room that Dr. Johnson, author of the Dictionary, and Charles Dickens used to meet and dine together and Dr. Johnson spent much of his time here–his picture is hanging on the wall in the corner of the room. The chair in which he used to sit is still preserved in a glass case in an up stairs room. There are several pictures there of President Taft, ex-president Roosevelt and others that have visited that place in recent years.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a large fortification comprised of multiple buildings in the background and a cobblestone street with horse-drawn vehicles in the foreground. Charles C. Myers identifies the complex as the London Tower where kings and queens were imprisoned.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “You have often heard of London Tower, and I doubt not you naturally supposed it was some large edifice towering far into the sky–but not so. About the year 1078 there was built a stone building 137 x 132 ft with walls 90 ft high and 15 ft thick. This was built to use as a fort and was called London Tower, but it is now known as the White Tower–being whitewashed, since then from time to time there has been other buildings added to the place until what is now known as London Tower is a group of buildings covering about 130 acres of ground and situated on the east bank of the Thames River. The original tower was used as a prison as well as a fort and many prisoners were confined there during the 15th to 17th centuries, including several kings and queens, many of which were decapitated. Mary, Queen of Scots, was for a while confined there previous to her execution in 1587.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing several crowns, scepters, and highly embellished cups and vessels arranged inside a caged cabinet. Some items have labels next to them. Charles C. Myers identifies the items as the Crown Jewels of England and comments on their monetary value.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “In one of the buildings of this group, called the Record Tower, is kept all the early records of England and also the Crown Jewels. Here you see a picture of the Crown Jewels which is the most magnificent as well as the most valuable collection of jewels in the world. It includes St. Edwards Crown adorned with 2800 diamonds and 300 pearls; Queen of Consort Crown, St. Edwards Staff, Royal Cepter [sic], Ivory Cepter [sic], Salt Cellars, Wine Fountain, Drinking Cups, and many other articles all of solid gold set with diamonds, pearls and rubies and other stones. The entire collection is valued at About 15 million dollars. This collection is enclosed in a circular glass case about 10 ft in diameter. It is a beautiful display and one worth while going a long way to see.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

This postcard depicts London’s Albert Memorial, a statue surmounted by a tall spire. Several people stand at its base, while others gather nearby outside the fence surrounding it. Charles C. Myers explains it was created in memory of Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, and describes the height and cost of the monument.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “The Albert Memorial Monument is the most beautiful in all London. It is 178 ft high and cost $600,000, erected by the city in 1857 in memory of Prince Albert. The whole structure is gorgeously embellished with a profusion of bronz [sic] and marble statues and mosaic work.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a domed, circular building. Charles C. Myers identifies it as the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, an amphitheater used for scientific and art assemblies, political meetings, and concerts.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’s own words, “The Royal Albert Hall is just across the street from the memorial monument. This large ampaitheatre [sic] has a seating capacity of 10,000 people and is used for great political meetings, Nation al Concerts etc.”

Collection

Charles C. Myers Collection

Postcard showing a large neoclassical building with columns and a central clock tower, identified as the Town Hall of Portsmouth, England. A trolley car visible on the street in front of the building. Charles C. Myers notes that Portsmouth is on the south coast of England and is a principal naval rendezvous. Battleships from around the world gathered there during the coronation of King of Great Britain George V in June 1911.

Comments and Context

In Charles C. Myers’ own words, “Being in England in June 1911 to attend Coronation of King George, the first place of visiting was Portsmouth, a beautiful city of about 30,000 population about fours ride south from London. There is a large bay and channel between Portsmouth and The Isle of Wight on the west and in this channel was collected the battleships from all nations during the Coronation of King George. The king having been an Admiral in the English Navy he was greatly pleased at the coronation that the navies of all nations were represented and he paid special comment to the United States which was represented by the U.S.S. Delaware, the largest and most powerful as well as the most maginficent [sic] and efficient battleship in the whole world. At the coronation fleet review by King George he paid special tribute to the great Delaware which was about twice the size of any other battleship attending the coronation exercises.