The Turkish Correspondence
History
These postcards were sent by a student in the 1930s to her relatives in Turkey. I was fortunate to purchase this group of 10 cards together, and to get translations from the seller. [2001]
Update, 2012: Two more postcards surface on eBay. This time the seller does not supply me with translations. The cards sit on my desk for several years. Finally, thanks to LinkedIn, I reconnect with the Turkish exchange student I knew in high school, and she supplied me with the translations here. Thank you, Sabiha!
The Images
All cards are available with both front and back scans, and comments about what is written on the front or back, either by the user or by the publisher, are included below.
- Williston Memorial Library
- front "Williston Memorial Library, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts"
- back Divided back, postmarked Dec 2, 1933 12:30pm in South Hadley. Published by the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY. Translated by Enis Turcan: "1/12/1933 My dear uncle, I have sent to you 2 letters before. I am very sorry that you have not received these. Here is like paradise. I am very tired, because I have to do my homework for the college. How are you? I wait for your letter. My health is ok. I am very happy with my residance here. Regards, Leman Avni"
- Mt. Holyoke College
- front Untitled aerial view. The sender put an X on the building where she lived, she said, but it looks like the mark is on the Physical Science building.
- back "Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Divided back, postmarked Feb 5, 1934 in South Hadley, and in Izmir, Turkey. Translation thanks to Enis Turcan: "February 2 Friday 1934 My dear sister, I have just came home from the last examination. I have received your 14-15 letters. My health is ok. I have no time to write letters. It is very cold here. Yesterday there was snow here, but today morning the sun is shining. The picture on the postcard is showing a general view of the college with a bird's eye view. Beautiful isn't it? I will send different postcards of the college to you later. Here everything is very beautiful: view, college, but the lessons are killing us!!! Leman Avni" Written to her older sister.
- Field Memorial Gate
- front "Field Memorial Gate, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
- back Divided back, postmarked Feb 10, 1934 6:30pm in South Hadley. Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass., and The Albertype Co. Translation thanks to Enis Turcan: "February 10, 1934 My dear sister, Please send me a copy of my diploma from the gymnasium [the equivalent of US high school]. But you should send me not only the copy but a translation of it as well that must bear an official seal from the government. The reason for this is that the college demands it from me. Please , it is very urgent. Today the director has congratulated me because of the grades that I have gotten. I am very happy. Regards, Leman"
- Mary Brigham Hall
- front "Mary Brigham Hall, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Transit mark from Izmir Turkey.
- back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Feb 20, 1934 7am in South Hadley. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1099. Printed in Germany. Translation thanks to Enis Turcan: "February 4, 1934 My dear sister, On the way from library to my residance I have received (I think she has found a letter in her post box) a letter from the director of the college informing me that my scholarship has been renewed. Therefore I am very happy. You must be happy too. I have received your 18th letter with a $8.00 bill. I am very happy to hear from you that you did not need to change your glasses. I am very well. I received very good grades and one of the doctors has congratulated me therefore. I am on the same level like the American girls here. Regards , Leman Avni"
- Skinner Hall
- front "Skinner Hall, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." An X is inked in between the tree and the building to the far left on the card. Translation: "This is the building where I study literature. I signed it for you on the postcard [near the trees]."
- back Divided back, postmarked Apr 7, 1934 12:30pm in South Hadley. Translation courtesy of Sabiha Çelik: "Friday 6, 1934 My dear big sister; I have received your 23rd letter, the letters you have written in my father's shop, and the official receipt, and all the postage stamps you had sent. I will post my permission letter next week. Sent postcard to Mulakat to high school. Wrote postcard to Nesrin. I didn't receive my high school paper. I think it also got lost although all your letters reached me today. I am fine. I cut my hair. Looks really good on me. It is assumedly spring here. Snow stopped that's it no flowers anywhere. I will post Mrs Ahter the official receipt. I had borrowed 8 dollars from her. I will not owe anything to her. I kiss you from your eyes. Regards to all. Leman Avni"
- Student Alumnae Building
- front "Student Alumnae Hall, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Translation: "Kisses Leman Avni"
- back "Student Alumnae Building Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Divided back, postmarked Apr 8, 1934 12:30pm in South Hadley, and with a partial Turkish postmark. Translation courtesy of Sabiha Çelik: "April 8, 1935 My dear sister; I have received your letter dated the 24th. Exams finished this Saturday, they lasted five full hours. We were all exhausted. I am totally in lack of hope for good results and am worried a lot. One of the girls got so sick at the exams that she had to be taken to the hospital. This midweek we will get the results. I don't know what I will do if I can't pass the exams. Regards. Leman Avni"
- Gymnasium
- front "Gymnasium, Mount Holyoke College. South Hadley, Mass."
- back Divided back, postmarked in South Hadley. Published by The Albertype Co. Translation thanks to Enis Turcan: "Friday, April 13, 1934 My dear sister, I have already sent a postcard to you the last week. I am very well. The weather is nice. Bacolry has come. I have spoken with the professors and they have told me that they could give credits. I will inform you soon about their final decisions. Last week I have sent a postcard to Mubahat and this week I will send one to Nimet. I will be very busy with the lessons next week, so maybe I will not be able to write a letter to you. Many greetings to friends and to the family. Leman Avni"
- Cornelia Clapp Laboratory
- front "Cornelia Clapp Laboratory, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Transit mark May 29, 1934 in Izmir, Turkey.
- back Divided back, postmarked in South Hadley. Published by The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. Translation courtesy of Enis Turcan: "4 May, Friday 1934 My dear sister, Last week I sent you a registered letter. This was for the permission of holidays. This week on Sunday I had a visit from Columbia University from two Turkish boys. They drove me with their car to Zekiye's college. We will meet each other in New York again in the summer. I have gotten 12 credits from the professor for German and if I could pass the examination in the coming semester I will earn apprx. 1 year. I will work very hard to reach this big opportunity. I am very well and I will write a letter to you the next week. Leman Avni"
- 11691. Library
- front "11691. Library, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Copyright 1908 by Detroit Publishing Co." Transit mark from Izmir, Turkey.
- back Divided back, postmarked Sep 13, 1934 in New York, NY. A Phostint card. Translation thanks to Enis Turcan: "My dear sister, The last letter I sent to you was 15 days ago. I have not received any letters from you in the last two weeks. I hope you are all well. I am very well. My holiday is passing very well. Tuesday the 18th I will be back at the college. I have paid Mrs. Ahter her $70.00. How is my uncle? Here is the weather a little cold. It is raining very often. Zekiye is staying here at the house. I have been in New York twice. Regards, Leman Avni 9 September 1934"
- The Lower Falls
- front "The Lower Falls, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
- back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Feb 18, 1935 12:30pm in South Hadley. Photo B. H. 812 Made in Germany. Translation courtesy of Enis Turcan: "Friday 15, 1935 My dear sister, I have received your 17th letter on Thursday, but the 16th one I have not received. I suppose that it has been lost. I am very well. The weather is not so cold anymore. Snow is not so much like before. At this night I have to work and this is the reason that I can not write a letter to you. I have sent two magazines to Semsi. I have received the registered letter from him. He wants me to write him in English, so he could learn a little bit. Regards, Leman Avni"
- Village Church
- front "Village Church, South Hadley, Mass." #A22650 in photo. Scott Photo #B61
- back Undivided back, stamp box, postmarked Apr 26, 1935 10am in South Hadley. Made in Germany. Translation courtesy of Enis Turcan: "29,4,1935 My dear sister, I have received your letter dated 14th April, on 24th of April. This is the first time that a letter of yours arrived here in only 10 days time. I hope you received my letter that I have sent to You. I am starting to work very hard again for finals. On the 25th May the lectures will finish and the day after the examinations will start. I am very busy like the others. On the 10th Jun there will be finishing ceremonies here. I wish you were all here, because everyone's family will be here. Regards, Leman Avni"
- Student Alumnae Building
- front Untitled view of the Student Alumnae Building.
- back "Student Alumnae Building Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Divided back, postmarked Jun 10, 1935 5:30pm in South Hadley. Translation courtesy of Enis Turcan, who pointed out she has written the date in English for the first time in this series of correspondences with her family: "June 10, 1935 My dear family, This morning I have received my diploma. I am leaving for New York. Good bye all. In this building we finished. Love to all, Leman Avni"