Community Corner

eBay Tuesday: Riverside Postcard

Site of future political firestorm looks a little different in old mailer

One of the focal points of the past year of debates over whether to sell a portion of to the was the question of whether the park could return to its glory days. Some of those glory days seem gone for good - the crew race between Yale and Harvard doesn't pack New London's streets solid with visitors anymore - but other suggestions included bringing back a pavilion or improved playgrounds or any number of things to spruce up the site and attract visitors.

Though Riverside Park wasn't initially on my mind when I was searching for an auction item to profile, it has remained a pressing topic. The vote in favor of selling a portion of the park was incredibly narrow, only , and a recount will take place on Wednesday to determine whether the margin of error is enough to shift the tally to the other side. Opponents are already should the recount uphold the sale. Today, Mayor-elect Daryl Finizio said the sale was null and void since the closing date has passed, leaving the issue open for a new round of discussion. Amid all this, it's kind of nice to look back to a time when it was more a park than a battleground of ideals.

The postcard, "Scene in Riverside Park, New London Conn.," shows a vision of the park which might be recognizable to some folks but is a bit alien to me. A horse and carriage makes its way past a few tents, the Thames River peeks out between the trees, and a fountain is visible at the head of an enormous circular pond.

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The seller, Old Lake Antiques of West Harrison, N.Y., estimates that the postcard is from the 1910s. That seems to be accurate, since the note on the back of the card looks to be Dec. 1, 1914. The note itself is quite dull and unsigned, thanking some unknown person for a card they sent and saying the weather in these parts has been great until a recent damp and fog spell.

The card has no postage and measures three and a half inches by five and a half inches. Aside from a small tear in the left corner and worn edges, it is in good condition. The asking price is $6.99 with $1.95 for shipping, and you've got quite a bit of time to make up your mind on a purchase; the auction ends shortly before noon on Black Friday (Nov. 25).

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