Miss Goldie Mower lived in Saugerties, a town on the west bank of the Hudson River in Ulster County of south-central New York. This area
Nellie Fisher lived on a rural delivery route outside Pittstown, New Jersey. Pittstown is an historic village in Hunterdon County of west-central New Jersey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittstown,_New_Jersey
Miss Lauretta Hilyard lived in Newport, an historic town (founded in 1735) on the Christina Rive in northern Delaware. In the Colonial Era, Conestoga wagons
This postcard story connects two small communities in southern York County, of south-central Pennsylvania. Mr. Clayton Kaltreider lived in Hokes, a small settlement in southern
The Rev. and Mrs. J. V. Wemple were on a trip to Las Vegas, the city and seat of San Miguel County on the Gallinas
Mrs. Grant Castner lived in Trenton, the capital city on the Delaware River in west-central New Jersey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trenton,_New_Jersey In May of 1943, Mrs. Castner received
At first glance, I thought that this postcard was related to Thanksgiving – scenes of “early settlers” are common on postcards celebrating that holiday. This
Miss Verdna Keperling lived on a rural delivery route outside the historic city of Lancaster, PA. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancaster,_Pennsylvania In September of 1912, Verdna received a lovely
Mrs. W. G. Wetherall lived in Albion, a borough in Erie County of northwest Pennsylvania – 28 miles southwest of the city of Erie. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion,_Pennsylvania
We met members of the McCleary family in an earlier postcard story, “Political Possums for Elizabeth”. Elizabeth, the recipient of that postcard, was the wife
I rescued this fine drawing from a box of cheap postcards – there were some disfiguring marks and some spots of foxing on the face
Miss Mabel Schutretter lived in Pottsville, a small city and county seat of Schuylkill County in east-central Pennsylvania. Until the mid-20th century, Pottsville was a
Mrs. Bert McCleary lived in Hagerstown, the commercial and transportation center of Maryland’s panhandle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagerstown,_Maryland (We will learn much more about the McCleary family; I
Ethel Nash lived in Wismer, a tiny community at a crossroads in Bucks County of southeast Pennsylvania. The community was named for members of the
Young Winfred Carlson lived in Frontenac, now an unincorporated community on the Mississippi River – about 65 miles southeast of the Twin Cities. Established as
Miss Ella Osborn lived in Embreeville, a small, unincorporated community on a bend of the Brandywine Creek in Chester County of southeast Pennsylvania. Almost every
Mrs. Amanda Eaglebarger lived in Etna Green, a town in north-central Indiana. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etna_Green,_Indiana In August of 1910, Amanda received a postcard from her cousin, Lizzie.
This still-life painting, of a plate of strawberries, is the perfect complement to the warm days of late Spring. At the farmers’ markets, the vendor’s
Master Homer Schoerner was growing up in McKeansburg, a census-designated place in Schuylkill County of east-central Pennsylvania. This small community grew up around a crossroads
Mrs. John Kessler lived in Shortsville, a village in Ontario County of western New York. Throughout the 19th century, Shortsville was the site of numerous
E. G. Kerr lived in Schellsburg, a small borough in Bedford County of south-central Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schellsburg,_Pennsylvania In September of 1909, E. G. wrote to Miss
This charming postcard has several mysteries related to it. The original art on the face is printed in the “oilette” style by the publisher, Raphael
We met Benjamin Stauffer in earlier postcard stories – he was born in 1900 and grew up on the family farm on the Millersville Pike
Mr. Marsh Palmer lived in Jersey City, the bustling city on the Hudson River – across the water from Manhattan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_City,_New_Jersey In March of 1909,
Bessie Miller lived in Lancaster, the historic city in a rich agricultural area of southeast Pennsylvania. Bessie resided at 555 West King Street; I do
This souvenir postcard from Atlantic City touches the family of noted jurists and political figures in New York State. John Van Voorhis lived in Irondequoit,
We met Bessie Douglas in earlier postcard stories. Bessie was growing up in Anselma, a small community that grew up around a mill on the
Miss Bertha Wilson was in Louisville, the charming city on the Ohio River in Kentucky. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky Bertha was staying at the Galt House, the city’s
Master Vernne Brant lived in Penbrook, a borough near the Susquehanna River in Dauphin County of central Pennsylvania. Penbrook is adjacent to the capital city
Mrs. Elmer Huyett lived in Birdsboro, a borough on the Schuylkill River in Berks County of southeast Pennsylvania. Until the mid-20th century, Birdsboro boasted foundries
Miss Jennie Hare lived in Harpursville, a community within the town of Colesville, New York. Harpursville/Colesville is on the Susquehanna River in Broome County of
We met Mayme Pulcher in several postcard stories; Mayme received many postcards from “Tom” who sent her postcard views from various places in the upper
This example of postcard art is part of a series entitled, “A Gretna Green Elopement”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gretna_Green “Gretna Green”, a village in Scotland, was the destination
Mr. Harry Mason lived in Hoboken, a city on the Hudson River in northeast New Jersey. In the early 20th century, Hoboken was home to
Bessie Bernot lived at 1482 Second Avenue in the Lenox Hill neighborhood on the upper east side of Manhattan. An apartment building was erected on
Here is another example of postcard art celebrating a popular song of the early 20th century. In 1904, B. Feldman and Company of London published
Based entirely on the number of postcard stories that mention these events, it appears that Christmas Dances were a common attraction in towns and cities
Miss Eulalia Hendershot lived in Platteville, a city amid the ravines and groves of the “driftless region” of southwest Wisconsin. The city grew up along
Miss Stella Kinsey lived in Telford, a borough that straddles the border of Bucks County and Montgomery County in southeast Pennsylvania. The area was settled
Some time ago, we saw the postcard drawing of a girl in blue, faded overalls. The artwork was titled, “My Overalls”. This postcard is a
Here is another example of an inspirational postcard motto; this one featuring a decorative border of Art Nouveau designs that prefigures the Art Deco movement.
It is unfortunate that this cute postcard was never mailed. While sending it through the post office increases the chances of a disfiguring mark or
Miss Glen. Schwabe lived in Plainfield, a village in northeast Illinois. Plainfield is between the cities of Naperville and Joliet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plainfield,_Illinois (The name of our
Miss Grace Hartlaub lived in Two Taverns, an unincorporated village on the Baltimore Pike in Adams County of south-central Pennsylvania. During the Battle of Gettysburg,
Estella Dunlap had many friends and admirers, judging by the large collection of postcards she saved during her life. Estella is sometimes addresses as “Stella”.
Mrs. Arthur Nelson lived in Ellington, a town formed around sawmills in Chautauqua County of southwest New York. (The town’s population in 1850 was greater
Holland has been associated with the production of tulips since Dutch traders brought bulbs to the Low Countries in the 16th century. In the 20th
This art postcard was printed in Switzerland. It was published in the United States by the Alfred Mainzer company, an important importer of quality European
I believe that this postcard was exchanged between children. The postcard was neither addressed not mailed, so we cannot learn very much about the children
Mr. Charles A. Dedrick lived in Williamsburg, a borough in Blair County of central Pennsylvania. In the 19th century, this community on the Juniata River
Miss Lottie Dietrich lived in Philadelphia. In February of 1913, Lottie exchanged postcards with a friend who we know only by the initials, J. R.
In the summer of 1915, Myrtle gave a postcard to her cousin, Harvey Hahn. The postcard was not mailed, so we cannot know where Myrtle
This colorful postcard may have been presented as a Valentine, although there is no printed greeting on the face and the postcard was not mailed
We met Frank Seeberger in an earlier postcard story when Frank was training with the National Guard in Sea Girt, New Jersey. That postcard featured
Miss Helen Mueller lived in Plattville, a city in the Platte River Valley of the hilly, “driftless” region of southwest Wisconsin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platteville,_Wisconsin The “Driftless Area”
Miss Minnie Thorn was in Lehi, a city at the northern end of the Utah Valley in north-central Utah. Today, Lehi is a center of
In August of 1908, Sgt. Frank Seeberger was stationed at Sea Girt. Sea Girt is a community on the Atlantic Coast in east-central New Jersey.
Miss Edna Robbins lived in East Las Vegas, a town on the Gallinas River in north central New Mexico. East Las Vegas is now part
Mrs. Charles Geary lived in Rogers Park, now the northernmost part of Chicago, facing Lake Michigan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Park,_Chicago In December of 1908, Mrs. Geary received a
Grace Diehl lived in Mount Vernon, a city along the Kokosing River of central Ohio. Mount Vernon is 40 miles northeast of Columbus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Vernon,_Ohio Sometime
In earlier postcard stories, we met Hampton Pullis when he was a child and living in northern New Jersey. [“A Roller Skate for the New
Every new form of communication eventually evolves to include sexual content -you might be amazed to know how much internet traffic is related to pornography.
Mrs. David Streeter lived in Cato, a town in north-central New York State -northwest of Syracuse. (Readers of these postcard stories will know that I
Mr. Earl Treadwell lived in Pennellville, a hamlet near Lake Ontario in west-central New York State. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennellville,_New_York In December of 1915, Earl received a postcard
Miss Edna Moulthrop lived in Alameda, the city on an island and surrounding area in the East Bay Region of west-central California. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alameda,_California In May
It may be that times of rapid change are marked also by nostalgia for the sights and patterns of life that are vanishing. In the
This example of postcard art was copyrighted and published by the Ullman Manufacturing Company of New York in 1898. On the face, a grandfather is
In 1905, the Ullman Manufacturing Company of New York published this charming drawing of a young girl holding a dog. The girl holds a basket
This postcard offering from the newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst, was copyright in 1904 – and published (most likely) the same year. The art postcard
Master Harold Stackhouse lived in Hightstown, a borough in west-central New Jersey. Hightstown, near the Delaware River, is equidistant from Philadelphia and New York. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hightstown,_New_Jersey
Some good advice does not go out of fashion. The M. T. Sheahan Company of Boston specialized in the publication of postcard mottos. The company
Miss Matie L. Jones lived in Shelbyville, a city in central Tennessee. Although it has an industrial base today, Shelbyville was the center of Tennessee
Mr. Frank Sides lived in Strasburg, the historic borough southeast of Lancaster that is home to a famous train museum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasburg,_Pennsylvania In July of 1909,
Young Harold Kenyon was in Thousand Island Park; the postcard address uses numerals – “1000 Island Park”. Thousand Island Park is a resort community established
For this day of waiting and preparation on the Eve of Easter, I found this art postcard by a German painter. Ludwig Blume-Siebert was born
Miss Amy Keen lived in West Chester, the beautiful college town of Chester County in southeast Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Chester,_Pennsylvania In May of 1906, Amy received a
Mr. And Mrs. E. C. Warner lived in Minneapolis, the largest city in Minnesota. In May of 1918 they received a postcard from “The Fishermen”.
Lewis H. Larsen was one of the most successful postcard artists of the mid-20th century. He adopted the moniker, “Dude”, as a sign of his
Gerhard Vogt lived in Moundridge, a small city in central Kansas (Between 1874 and 1880, thousands of Russian Mennonites fled Crimea and settled in this
Mr. Lyndon Colby lived in Caanan, an historic town in west-central New Hampshire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canaan,_New_Hampshire In July of 1910, Lyndon received a postcard from Mabel Rosh.
In the “Golden Age of Postcards”, roughly 1905-1925, most postcard illustrators worked anonymously. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcard A few (who were especially popular, skilled, prolific, or had the
Sometime around 1908, Master Roy Brown received a postcard from his friend, Frieda. We know that Roy was a boy; that the address includes the
This postcard, although mailed in April, features a winter scene of friendly animals. An original drawing, on the face, depicts a shaggy donkey attending to
Miss Louisa C. Hart lived in Harbourton, an historic community in west-central New Jersey. (The entire community was added to the National Register of Historic
Miss Virginia Bugbee lived in Perry, a town on the St. Croix River in east-central Maine. Although the community began as a trading post in
Miss Edna Marquette lived in Douglasville, the oldest settlement of Europeans in Berks County, Pennsylvania. (A very long time ago, we looked at postcard stories
Sometime around 1910, Miss Alice Shaak lived in Millersville – the college town west of Lancaster, PA. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millersville,_Pennsylvania Alice seems to have fallen behind in
For this Sunday in Spring, a postcard reminder of the ovine references within the sacred writings of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Sheep have few natural defenses,
The American newspaper empire of William Randolph Hearst published this postcard illustration of a quintessential English event, the Fox hunt. Although fox hunting is now
Cecile Judge lived in Oneonta, a city in the Appalachian region of central New York State. In 1905, this city was a thriving center of
This postcard drawing depicts an idyllic scene of a solitary figure fishing in a lush, rural landscape. Although there is no indication of publisher and
Three Rivers is a small city in southern Michigan; the settlement grew up where the Portage River and the Rocky River flow into the St.
Master Hilman Hendrickson lived in Imlaystown, now an unincorporated community of Monmouth County, in east- central New Jersey. (Imlaystown, founded in 1690, once dominated the
Sometime around 1905, Master Edwin Fox was living in Reading, PA. Young Edwin was given a postcard by his Aunt Mary. We don’t know if
Mrs. Cynthia Holmes lived in Baraboo, a city on the Baraboo River in south-central Wisconsin. Proximity to the Baraboo and Wisconsin Rivers, and the Chicago
This well-made postcard, featuring an original painting depicting an Autumn landscape, was published by the German American Novelty Art Company. In earlier posts, I have
We met Watson Ryan in an earlier postcard story; he received a comic postcard related to the hen-pecked husband. Although I have postcards with different
Social histories of the early twentieth century often discuss the earnestness and optimism of these years. There seemed to be a quickening of desire and
This postcard photograph was mailed between two communities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Miss F. Grace Bear lived in East Petersburg, and she was celebrating a
The Rev. Aaron Burtis Hunter and his wife, Sarah Lothrop Taylor, were notable representatives of the Episcopal Church and distinguished for their collecting of antiquarian
Master Dalzell Hartman was less than two years old when he received a postcard at his home on North Duke Street in Lancaster. The postcard
A few days ago, we looked at an ink drawing of chickens that had been mailed to Spring Forge, PA. (“A Few Scratches”) Soon thereafter,
On Sunday, January 22, 1939, visitors (probably from Nogales, Arizona) mailed a postcard from Nogales, Mexico to celebrate their visit. (The reverse of the postcard
Young Charlie Zimmerman lived in Plumville, a small borough in a mountain valley about 62 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The community was named for an
Elwood was a conscientious nephew who remembered the birthday of Aunt Anna. For the occasion, Elwood selected an exceptionally well-made postcard, beautifully colored and gilded.
Dennis Sullivan lived in Paradise, the charming town in eastern Lancaster County, PA. Sometime around 1902, Dennis was given a postcard greeting; the face featured
Postal regulations permitted the mailing of unusual and odd-shaped items in the early 20th century. In the past year, I have found a few hand-made
It was the birthday of Mrs. Kate Moyer of Adamstown. Adamstown is in northern Lancaster County, very close to the border of Berks County. On
In the early twentieth century, hand-crafted postcards were constructed of a variety of materials and sent through the mail. I have posted samples of hand-painted
In May of 1915, Mrs. Harrison Baker (Ellie?) lived in Salunga, a community west of Lancaster, PA. Mrs. Baker received a postcard from her sister,
Like motivational posters of the late 20th century (or the inspirational memes of today), mottos and quotations were popular themes of postcard illustration in the
Miss Angie Park lived in Shinglehouse, a town of Potter County in north-central Pennsylvania. The community was named for a landmark shingled Inn near the
Rifling through a box of old paper memorabilia, I was attracted to the brilliant colors of this postcard. I was surprised to find that the
A painter and sculptor, G. F. Watts (1817-1904) poses Sir Galahad as a fearless innocent pursuing a tangled path. A late development within the Arthurian
In June of 1911, Addie wrote “a few lines” to Katherine. Katherine, in Fort Madison, Iowa, seems to be a relative or close family friend
I found recently this “Sunbonnet” illustration from the series, “Hours of the Day”. On the face of the postcard is an illustration of a boy
Mother sends a postcard to Anna in Bausman – 1909 On October 27, 1909, Mother mailed a postcard to her daughter, Mrs. Anna Rambo, at
Miss H. Davies lived at 10th and Locust Street in Philadelphia, “in care of Shannons”. According to an on-line list of druggists in 1911, Shannons
I scanned this postcard illustration of fisherman at a time when I was reading about the threats to traditional fishing villages in Western Europe. The
Mrs. Richard Webb lived in Wilmington, Delaware and she had a baby. In May of 1911, Mrs. Webb received a postcard from Alma in Scranton,
Miss Mollie Scott lived in Brooklyn, New York. In September of 1929, she received a postcard from friends in Florida. The postcard was mailed from
Several months ago, I posted a comic postcard (the “Big Squeeze”) that had been printed by the NYCE Manufacturing Company of Vernfield, PA. (The Nyce
We met young Edmund Harnish in an earlier postcard story – he had received a postcard greeting of original art featuring boys playing marbles. That
George Garner lived in Reinholds, an unincorporated community at the northernmost point of Lancaster County. Railroad lines once connected many rural towns in the area.
In an earlier post, I mentioned the German American Novelty Company which commissioned original art for the international market in postcards. This postcard drawing of
Miss Lillian Rothberg lived in Brooklyn, New York – the most-populated borough of New York City. In August of 1906, Lillian received a postcard from
Mrs. Carrie Smith lived in St. Louis. Her sister, Vio, was visiting Cousin Leslie in Chicago. In September of 1921, Carrie received a postcard from
In September of 1937, Mrs. Alice Sherrard was living in Spokane, Washington – the lovely city between the Selkirk Mountains and the foothills of the
Miss Cornelia DeVries lived in Passaic, a densely-populated city north of Newark, New Jersey. (The first European settlers in Passaic were Dutch traders who founded
Mrs. Nellie Mattox lived in Sharon, a city on the Ohio border, in northwest Pennsylvania. Although coal-mining was the first industry in the area, Sharon
We met George Glick last year when he was invited by postcard to attend the “Rally Day” at Sunday School. This postcard was mailed a
Mrs. John Jefferson lived in Gorsuch Mills, a village in northern Baltimore County, Maryland. The community is due south of Stewartstown (York County), PA. (Gorsuch
Spring is soon to arrive, yet snow covers the ground in many parts of the east coast today.This postcard illustration seemed appropriate for the appearance
Foster Herman lived in Sunbury, PA, a city on the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania.Foster had a sister, May, who gave him a beautifully-illustrated postcard.The
Today is Mardi Gras: “Fat Tuesday”, or Carnival – literally, “farewell to meat”.For centuries in Christendom, this was a day of feasting and celebration as
Ernest Receives Puppies from His Uncle – Christiana, PA (1908) Yesterday, according to Facebook, was National Dog Day. In October of 1908, young Ernest Chambers
A Brace of Setters – Cresswell, PA (1908) Cresswell, Pennsylvania is a small, unincorporated community in western Lancaster County. It lies east of the high
La Vache Echappe – Dresden, circa 1910 This beautiful example of postcard art was printed in Dresden (Germany) about 1910. I believe it was published
“The Winding Stream” – Kennet Square (1906) For the Equinox, a nice example of postcard art illustrating the beauty of late Summer and early Fall.
The Pet Chicken (1906) Sometime around 1906, Olive Bealler received a handsome postcard print of a child with a pet chicken. We are not given
Boys at Play – Millstadt, Illinois (1908) Young Edmund Harnish was living in the big city of St. Louis when he received a postcard from
The Lady in Red – 1911 Cousin Nellie lived in the hamlet of Shushan, a small community (with an historic covered bridge) in east central
Rip Van Winkle Driven Away – illustration circa 1920 In the story by Washington Irving, the shiftless Rip Van Winkle is driven from his home
Ida Writes from Assisi – 1922 On a Sunday during the pandemic, it is refreshing to think about Ida’s visit to Assisi in June of
“I Want to be a Farmer” – York, PA (1906) In 1900, almost 40 per cent of the people in the US lived on farms.
Edna Receives a Beautiful Card in La Parke – 1906 In an earlier post, I mentioned the difficulty in finding an exact location for La
Late Autumn – circa 1905 This postcard is a companion illustration to the postcard featuring an Autumn scene of golden fields and colorful trees. Both
Autumn – German American Novelty Company circa 1905 In earlier posts, I have referred to the German American Novelty Company which published some of the
The Art Card to Mankato – 1909 This is an exceptionally- beautiful postcard, unfortunately worn by time and careless storage. The face has three different
The Allegory of War – Grottger, circa 1910 I have not published many museum cards, the reproductions of art works that can be purchased by
A Sunday Visit to Mexico – 1938 On January 28, 1938, a friend of Virginia McAllister was again in Nogales, Mexico. I posted another postcard
The Woodpecker – 1907 Mr. Frank Wilson was living in Albia, Iowa in 1907. (Albia is a small city in south central Iowa, the seat
The Seaside Shanty for Christmas – 1908 My Robert Hamilton lived in Port Jervis, New York. Port Jervis lies at the confluence of the Neversink
“We Are Coming For Those Dahlias” – Middletown, PA (1914) In April of 1914, Elizabeth Caley sent a postcard to Mrs. Ben Caley of Middletown,
The Flower Seller – Art Postcard, circa 1910 This postcard, never mailed, features an illustration of an English flower vendor. Produced in Berlin, the postcard
It was the birthday of Ralph Thomas who lived in Cochranville (Chester County), PA. Ralph’s friend, Clarence McCarter, sent him a postcard greeting. Mailed from
Tellings stories from the past.