John Grainger moved to Alaska in 1940 and began collecting Alaskan postmarks. As postmarks became harder to acquire, he collected Alaskan postcards. By 1997, his collection of over 10,000 postcards spanned 90 years of Alaskan history. Mr. Grainger also collected information about postcard publishers, photographers, and manufacturers, which he documented in Collecting Alaska Postcards. In addition to serving in WWII, he worked as advertising manager for Alaska Sportsman magazine and eventually became a partner in the magazine. He also worked as a linotype operator, a private pilot, and for the State of Alaska. Grainger has resided in Ketchikan and southeast Alaska for over 50 years, with his wife, Frances. He contributes historical articles to various publications. [From: PCA 255 and The Southeastern Log, Mar. 1976, v. 6, no. 3.]

John Grainger and his wife, Frances, have lived in Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska for over 50 years. He serves as the Grand Historian for the Grand Lodge of Masonics for Alaska (Free and Accepted Masons), and contributes historical articles to various publications.