Here is a sampling of some of Monsanto's postcards. Suzanne Rehak photoDaniel Monsanto, a Sugar Land resident, found a hobby that turned him into a published writer.

Monsanto is the author of Postcard History-Houston, which catalogs more than 200 vintage and modern postcards showcasing landmark buildings, businesses, schools, churches and hospitals.

The book was released for sale in October. Arcadia Publishing contacted Monsanto to compile the book, he said.

“I was surprised they found me. I think it was because of my involvement with the Houston Vintage Book, Postcard and Paper Festival. I founded this group six years ago. I felt I didn’t have enough in my own collection for the book, so friends helped with the collection and added some of theirs,” Monsanto said.

His book covers Houston’s early years up to Astroworld and the Astrodome.

Betty Reed, a Clear Lake area resident, met Monsanto through postcard collecting more than 10 years ago.

She said Monsanto was meticulous in his research that chronicled the history behind each postcard.

“He’s a thorough writer. History and postcards are important to him. He researched items and took then-and-now pictures. I think he did a great job.

I think people will enjoy it,” said Reed.

David Crockett, who lives in Austin, said Monsanto’s book covers Houston very well.

“There are a lot of wonderful pictures. He’s gone beyond the average postcard collector. He’s a historian. He spent a lot of time researching and writing appropriate comments in each card,” said Crockett, who has known Monsanto close to 10 years.

Monsanto, a Bellaire native, was raised as the youngest of three children of Carlos and Bonnie Monsanto.

After graduating from Bellaire High School, Monsanto continued his education at the University of Houston.

In 2002, he graduated from the University of Houston with honors with a degree in marketing.
He worked in the telecom and real estate industries before settling in his current position at IKON Office Solutions in document services at 810 Gears Road.

He said his postcard collecting hobby began 16 years ago.

After attending some Houston Postcard Shows in the 1990s, Monsanto became entranced with the photographic medium.

“This is one of the best ways to capture history, and it’s affordable. It’s really neat to gaze back at history where there were wagons in the streets and look over the architecture. When you do then-and-now comparisons, it’s jaw-dropping,” said Monsanto.

His work on the book, which took him six months to complete, is evidence of the city’s progress.

“The book shows the brunt and depth of the collection. It’s a real chronicle of a different kind when it comes to the history of Houston.

These pictures represent founding people and heroes erased by time,” Monsanto said.

Monsanto began as program chair and then vice president of the Houston Area Postcard Club before beginning the Houston Vintage Book, Postcard and Paper Festival.

His collection comes from these types of shows, the Internet and friends.

Local meetings of the Houston Vintage Book, Postcard and Paper Club are held at the Rice Epicurean Market at 5016 San Felipe on the third Sunday of the month.

Monsanto’s goal is to preserve the past.

“I’m going to do another book on Houston Main Street. We can’t forget history. We have to embrace what’s left. Postcards are just one way of doing this. Anybody can get into this very easily. It’s just a lot of fun,” said Monsanto.

In his free time, Monsanto enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, traveling and watching sports.

For details, go to www.Houstonshow.com.
Books are available for sale at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Borders Book Stores and Rice Epicurean Market on San Felipe.