Shot in warm sepia tones from beneath a colonnaded arcade, this real-photo postcard captures the ancient stone courtyard of the Palacio del Obispado (Bishop's Palace) in Monterrey, Nuevo León — one of Mexico's most storied colonial monuments, built in the 1780s and later used as a fortress during the Mexican-American War and the Reform War. The photograph, No. 56 in the series by Monterrey photographer M. M. López, frames a graceful double row of rough-hewn stone columns supporting rounded arches, with potted plants clustered at center and a solitary figure seated at left in cool shadow. The card was mailed on October 14, 1957 (postmarked Monterrey) to Miss Jean at 3106 Weller Road, Glenmont Hills, Silver Springs, Maryland. The handwritten message, signed by what appears to be "Bisi," is enthusiastic: the sender notes they have come to Monterrey and comments on plans and how much they like the city, expressing that life is good there.