Grand Canyon, Man-made Wonder

Last week, I signed out the DVD Due Date from our public library (I love that our library has popular movies). The movie, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, was pretty fun. One scene in it was particularly absurdly hilarious and timely for us as we’ve recently received several generous donations to the Collection from there.

During the film, the main characters, Peter (Downey) and Ethan (Galifianakis) stop at the Grand Canyon and argue over whether it is natural formed or man-made. Below is the scene and dialogue snippet:

Peter: I’m telling you, I wouldn’t make it up.
Ethan: Sure? I could have sworn I read it was man made.
Peter: Nope, nope. Not correct. Very old. Formed over time. Grand Canyon. Known fact.
Ethan: Peter, I have a photogenic memory, I can recall things like that.
Peter: Ethan, I promise you. It’s…It’s old, it’s the Grand Canyon. It’s not the Hoover Dam.
Ethan: Well, I know it’s not the Hoover Dam. It was built by the pilgrims.
Peter: Also incorrect.
Ethan: It’s magnificent though.

It is indeed magnificent, as demonstrated by our recent acquisitions. This one is imitating the classic linen-style postcard:

Here’s the back:

Postcard caption:
“Grand canyon National Park. As seen from Point Imperial on the North Rim, Mount Hayden is formed Coconino Sandstone and rests on Red Hermit Shale.”

Postcard message:
“The Grand Canyone is truly a postcard mecca. Even modern [?]?, retro cars with chewed edges! Cheers.”

I believe the correct deltiological term for the edges is not “chewed” but rather “scallop” (although one can chew scallops). There’s also deckles which is more of a ragged natural paper style of edging.