John Grainger moved to Alaska in 1940 to work at the new Metlakatla airfield with the Civilian Conservation Corps. He began collecting Alaskan postmarks as a hobby, then, as postmarks became harder to acquire, he began collecting 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 (Historical Collections, NC1875.G7).

After serving in WWII, he resumed the position of advertising manager for Alaska Sportsman magazine, eventually becoming a partner in the magazine. He also worked as a linotype operator, a private pilot, and for the State of Alaska.

Grainger and his wife, Frances, have resided in Ketchikan and southeast Alaska for over 50 years. He served as Grand Historian for the Grand Lodge of Masonics for Alaska (Free and Accepted Masons), and contributes historical articles to various publications. [From: PCA 255 and The Southeastern Log, Mar. 1976, v. 6, no. 3.]