Going through my posts yesterday has got me feeling Christmas-y! Let's have our first new Christmas post of the year.
In the early twentieth century, people were just crazy about sending postcards, especially for holidays and especially for Christmas. The New York Public Library has about seven hundred (
here, if you want more after this post). The ones I've chosen stood out to me either because they're especially nice, especially ugly, and/or especially strange.... though I'll leave it to the viewer to decide which is which!
The NYPL terrifically reproduces the backs as well as the fronts; many are fairly simple, just the sender and reciever or a variant of "Merry Christmas", but a few are more interesting and I've reproduced them. Most, however, are written, so do follow the source links if you're interested!
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
"It has quit raining. Have you read anything about what is liable to happen on Dec. 17 this year when the six greatest planets begin drawing on the sun. Some of the more radicals deem it will cause the end of the world, maybe." (seriously--
read it!)
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
What this has to do with Christmas goodness knows.
Source
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| New York Public Library |
Writing on the back: "Darling [unclear], Pop & I thought you would rather have this picture of us than anyhing else. We miss you terribly terribly terribly. Lots of love, Dottie."
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
On the back: "From Aunt [Celara?], Aug. 3. 1910."
Yep, August!
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
(postmarked date unclear- 1916?)
Source
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
On the back: "These two happy people have kindly consented to pose as the Spirit of Xmas. Unless we arrive at this state in America we won't have any reindeer meat. Xmas regards, Happy New Year."
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| New York Public Library |
On the back: "Dear Earl:- will you please send me my ring." Postmarked 1907.
Source
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
If anyone knows what flower this is and what it has to do with Christmas, do please let me know! 1911.
Source
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
(The back of this one is decorated as well, with holly).
Source
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| New York Public Library |
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| New York Public Library |
1924, with a lung foundation seal used in place of a stamp (not postmarked, of course!)
Source
A bonus, from my own collection:
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| Personal collection |
1920s.
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3 comments:
These are great! Very funny and very sweet. I love the writing on the back of the cards. What were people thinking, eh? Much better than sending an email greetings. Send Christmas postcards! (if you can find them).
Thanks for the wonderful post.
Thank you for the link. What lovely cards!
Have you seen the Russian holiday cards here?
http://www.mazaika.com/postcard/clock0.htm
Thank you for the link, Shay! I hadn't seen those, wow, they are great, terrific graphic design!
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