A biographical sketch of all the persons named in the postcard is attached.
In December of 1932, Mrs. Naaman Hershey received a postcard at the St. Joseph Hospital.
https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/24522
We have seen other postcards related to this institution in the historic city of Lancaster, PA:
“Lester Is in the Hospital”, and “St. Joseph’s Hospital”.
From the Research Note (below), we know that Mrs. Hershey had had a baby, Anna Lorraine, at this time.
The postcard was sent by Emma and Rohrer, and mailed from Lititz – the charming town, founded by Moravian settlers, about eight miles north of Lancaster.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lititz,_Pennsylvania
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The face of the postcard is a large medallion drawing of a mother holding a baby.
Unusual for the time, the scene is embossed.
The gilt background, the golden halos, and the dim lines that trace angel wings – all identify this as the Virgin and Holy Child.
This is not a depiction of a newborn baby – the infant stands on his mother’s lap and reaches up to touch her cheek.
There is a touching tenderness between the young woman, her head and shoulders draped with a veil, and the unclothed boy.
Beneath the drawing is a framed blessing:
“May that sweet story of old bring Peace to you this Christmas Day”
The postcard artist is not identified, and the US publisher did not leave a mark.
This Christmas postcard was remarkably appropriate for a new mother and her baby.
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On the reverse, the written message begins without a greeting.
The senders express their wish for “A Merry Xmas to you and Anna Loraine”.
Mrs. Hershey preserved the postcard in very good condition throughout her life.
One hopes that Mrs. Hershey recovered from childbirth and that she and Anna Loraine, and Emma and Rohrer, enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season.
RESEARCH NOTE
On March 17, 1894, Naaman Graybill Hershey was born in Penn Township of northern Lancaster County, PA.
He was the son of John G. Hershey (1864-1919) and Kate Bomberger Graybill Hershey (1865-1937)
Naaman had four brothers and three sisters who lived to adulthood; another brother died in infancy.
Sometime around 1914, Naaman married Lizzie M. Hernley (1893-1977).
Naaman and Lizzie had nine children, although one daughter and two sons died in childhood.
Their last child was daughter Anna Lorraine Hershey Horst (1932- 2019).
The postcard was sent to Lizzie with her newborn daughter, Anna Lorraine.
Naaman Hershey had a younger sister, Emma Graybill Hershey (Keller) (1903-1992) who had married A. Rohrer Keller (1901-1957).
Emma and Rohrer lived in Lititz, about 8 miles southeast of the town of Elm (Penn Township) where the Hershey family lived.
The postcard was sent from Lititz by Emma and Rohrer Keller – brother and sister-in-law of Lizzie Hershey.
Naaman and Lizzie, along with Rohrer and Emma, are buried in Graybill Church of the Brethren Cemetery in Elm, PA.
