august 20th 1904 john to ebenezer brown west

stanserhorn, switzerland to harlesden, london

695 miles

the message

"Snowballs!!

The finest view for months past they say - we are favoured with grand weather

Ta Ta

John"

the sender

There are no clues to John's identity.

the recipient

Ebenezer Brown West (1875-1960) was the son of Frederick West (1845-?) and Elizabeth Brown (1835-?). Frederick was a harness maker while Elizabeth, after his death, went on to run a lodging house.

Ebenezer worked for the Postal Service. In 1902 he married Edith Shelley Baker (1868-1958).

the tree

the places

Stanserhorn, Switzerland

Harlesden, London

what the card says to us

The picture shows Hotel Stanserhorn (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanserhorn) in Switzerland which was where the card was posted. Look carefully and you will see a man playing an alpine horn.

The weather in Stanserhorn in August 1904 is good and the view is excellent. John, whoever he is, seems to like a joke, at least "Snowballs!!" would suggest that, especially with 2 exclamation marks.

How often were alpine holidays taken in 1904? Ebenezer seems to come from a humble background and it begs the question about his relationship to John. It begs a question but no answer is forthcoming.