Moody Mommy's Marvelous Postcards Blog

VINEGAR VALENTINE POSTCARD : MALE SINGER

2011-02-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Vinegar valentine postcards were usually sent anonymously. They usually featured a large image of a type of person (ie: spinster, occupations etc) with a poem ridiculing or poking fun at that personality. These contrasted sharply with the ornate Victorian valentines sent around the same time.

Today's postcard pokes fun at a male singer by comparing him to a coal salesman!

This great postcard can be found in my eBay store here: VINTAGE VINEGAR VALENTINE COMIC POSTCARD MALE SINGER

Valentine Postcard: Cupid with US Flag

2011-02-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

I will feature valentine postcards this week in my blog. While the tradition of sending cards to one's beloved predated postcards by at least a century, those missives were hand delivered because of the high cost of postage. The advent of the "penny postcard" (so named because they cost just a penny to mail) accelerated the mass production of the heretofore handmade Valentine cards. Millions of Valentine postcards were sent between 1900 and 1917. Some were ornately decorated and others, such as the "vinegar valentines" (the sentiment was not very flattering!), were simple and rather plain.

Today's selection features a patriotic cupid toting a US flag - sort of a Fourth of July/Valentine all in one!

While this postcard is no longer available in my postcard stores, I carry a nice selection year round.
You can find Valentines in my ebay store here: Moody Mommy's Marvelous Postcard eBay Store
And in my bidStart store here: Moody Mommy's Marvelous Postcard bidStart Store

Gruss Aus Aarau Rubliland Switzerland Postcard Carrot-land

2011-02-05T07:04:00.000-08:00

I have to say that this is the first postcard I have seen where the view is displayed inside of a CARROT! I have seen pansies and other flowers and lovely ladies, but never a CARROT! The postcard is postmarked 1911 and was published by Atelier H Guggenheim.

Carrots are a big deal in Aarau where every year, on the first Wednesday of November, a colorful festival called the "Rublimarkt" (Carrot Market) is held.

http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/aarau1.html

This and other " Gruss Aus " postcards can be found in my eBay store here: Moody Mommy's Marvelous Postcards eBay Store

or my bidStart store here: Moody Mommy's Marvelous Postcards bidStart Store

Roadside Americana Postcard: Fairyland Gas Station Rock City TN

2011-02-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

One of the best roadside attraction/gas station postcards I have seen is this one of the Fairyland Service Station at Rock City on Lookout Mountain TN. The back of the postcard offers a free 26x22 picture of Lovers Leap (suitable for framing!) with a gas fill.

Rock City tourist was established in 1932 by Garnet and Frieda Carter. It consisted of trails around rock formations (with fairyland statues and wildflower plantings) ending at "Lover's Leap". The attraction was promoted by signs painted on barns as far north as Michigan.

You can read more about the barns here Rock City Barn Tour - Rock City

This postcard can be found in my eBay store here: FAIRYLAND GAS SERVICE STATION ROCK CITY LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN TN
And in my bidStart Store here: FAIRYLAND GAS SERVICE STATION ROCK CITY LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN TN

I have other roadside postcards (motels, gas stations, tourist attractions, restaurants listed in my eBay Store: Motels, Restaurants, Roadside

Worldwide Sunday School Conference 1910 Postcard

2011-02-03T05:39:00.000-08:00

This charming postcard shows children dressed in native costumes from around the world. The title is "The Twentieth Century Sunday School Crusaders". The caption on back: "THIS CARD IS FOR WORLD-WIDE USE AS AN EMBLEM OF THE SPIRIT OF WORLD-CONQUEST FOR CHRIST; AS A SOUVENIR OF THE WORLD'S SIXTH SS CONVENTION TO WASHINGTON USA MAY 19-24, 1910...".

I found the "Official Report" of the convention online here: World-Wide Sunday School Convention
Here is a screen shot of pages 32 and 33 of the book:

You can find this great postcard in my bidStart store here: SUNDAY SCHOOL CRUSADERS WORLD'S CHILDREN POSTCARD 1910

And in my eBay Store here: SUNDAY SCHOOL CRUSADERS WORLD'S CHILDREN POSTCARD 1910

Native American Indian Postcard: Curley, General Custer's Scout

2011-01-31T06:50:00.000-08:00

Curley was about 17 years old when he enlisted as a scout for the US Army and was assigned to General George Custer's Little Big Horn expedition. The Crow scouts' reports about a large settlement were ignored by General Custer when he decided to wage a battle rather than wait for reinforcements. Custer sent the scouts away prior to the attack. Curley watched parts of the battle through a spy glass from a distance of about a mile and a half away. He made his way through Sioux territory to report the disaster. He was purportedly the only surviving witness to "Custer's Last Stand" He died in 1923of pneumonia.

More information from http://www.bridgestree.org/documents/Custers_Scouts_at_Little_Big_Horn.pdf :

"Accompanying Custer and his forces after their separation from Benteen and Reno were four Crow Scouts: Curley, Goes Ahead, Hairy Moccasin and White Man Runs Him. Two Crow Scouts remained with Reno, Half Yellow Face and White Swan. When Custer's troop came into contact with the Indian village, the scouts were excused; they had done their job. Among them, Curley refused to leave. Nevertheless, Mitch Bouyer, one of Custer's mixedblood French and Lakota guides, insisted that

the 17 year old Curley depart, allegedly telling Curley that "We have no chance at all," and relay the message to Terry that "all are killed." In 1983, archeological exploration of the battlefield was conducted. Previously unidentified remains were found. Using modern forensic science, the remains of Boyer were identified. Curley departed and was able to observe the battle with a spy glass from a ridge about a mile and a half away. He then eluded the Sioux by crawling through coulees until he found the pony of a dead Sioux, taking the Sioux pony and blanket, he then rode two and a half days until he found the Steamboat Far West, where through sign lanquage and drawing he was able to disclose

the disaster. Because of language difficulties, however, the extent of the disaster was not fully realized.

Curley was the youngest of the Crow scouts with Custer. He was probably about 20 years old the day of the battle.

Curley is the English name for Ashishishe, a Native American of the Crow tribe. Ashishishe was born in approximately 1856 in Montana, the son of Strong Bear (Inside the Mouth) and Strikes By the Side of the Water. Curley resided on the Crow Reservation in the vicinity of Pryor Creek, and married Bird Woman. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Indian scout on April 10, 1876 and was later chosen to scout for the Seventh Cavalry during the Little Bighorn expedition in 1876 along with fellow Crow warriors White Man Runs Him, Goes Ahead, Hairy Moccasin and others. He carried the news of the battle to the steamboat Far West at the mouth of the Little Bighorn. He witnessed parts of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and his translated account later appeared in several newspapers, as he was thought to be the only surviving witness from the U.S. side of Custer's Last Stand. Curley later gave several variations on his account, and the accuracy of his recollections has been questioned.

However, two of the most influential historians of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Walter Mason Camp (who interviewed Curley on several occasions) and John S. Gray, accepted Curley's account. Curley later lived on the Crow Reservation on the bank of the Little Bighorn River, close to the site of the Battle. He served in the Crow Police. He divorced Bird Woman in 1886, and married Takes a Shield. Curley had one daughter Awakuk Korita ha Sakush ("Bird of Another Year") who took the English name Nora. Curley received a U.S. pension as of 1920. He died May 21,1923 at his ranch home near Crow Agency of pneumonia, and his remains were interred in the National Cemetery at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, only a mile from his home."

This great postcard can be found in my bidStart store here: Native American Indian Curley General Custer's Scout
and in my eBay Store here: NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN POSTCARD CURLEY GEN CUSTER SCOUT

Women's Fashion Postcards: Hobbleskirts Vs Suffrage

2011-01-30T07:20:00.000-08:00

It's ironic that during the height of the Women's Suffrage movement in the US and UK, the restrictive hobbleskirt came into fashion. Today's circa 1910 postcards reflect that incongruity! Perhaps these demonstate women's "sufferage" instead

SUFFRAGE POSTCARD HOBBLESKIRT WOMEN MAKE GREAT STRIDES

LOVELY LADY IN HOBBLESKIRT FASHION POSTCARD CAN'T KICK

Birtth Congratulations Postcard : Baby Boy and Stork

2011-01-29T04:59:00.000-08:00

Today's postcard is a charming Barton and Spooner postcard intended to be sent to congratulate the parents of a baby boy. I love the strategically placed ribbon!

This great postcard can be found in my eBay store here: Birth Congratulations Postcard Baby Boy and Stork and my bidStart store here: Birth Congratulations Postcard Baby Boy and Stork

RPPC POSTCARD EGGLESTON CABIN STEVENS LAKE WI

2011-01-28T07:54:00.000-08:00

I have to share this postcard today because I am so excited about my research results. Whenever I have an unidentified Real Photo Postcard with clues about location or subjects, I do a Google search to see if I can find out more. My first search, "Stevens Lake", yielded results in several states - I suspected Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin or Michigan but couldn't nail it. I next searched "Eggleston Stevens Lake" and found a 1908 obituary for Ralph Eggleston of Stevens Lake who drowned when he went through the ice on the lake. He left a widow in "delicate" condition (I assume this meant pregnant) and four young daughters. Ironically, he had his gun with him and the postcard shows a row of dressed deer on the right side of the cabin. The postcard is in very good condition but the image is not the best - it looks like it was snowing when the photograph was captured. There is a Velox stamp box - dating the card between 1907 and 1917.

This card is currently listed as an auction on eBay:: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160538445799&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Here is a link to the Forest County Historical Society Obituary: Ralph Eggleston Drowned

Real Photo Postcard Three Women Fishing Maple Plain MN 1913

2011-01-26T22:56:00.000-08:00

This great RPPC (Real Photo Post Card) is a candid shot of three women in a rowboat with bamboo fishing poles. It is postmarked 1913 at Maple Plain Minnesota. The ladies are not identified - the postcard is written in Swedish (or Norwegian or Danish) and is addressed to Mr. Gust Emanuelsen in Minneapolis. Is great to see that our foremothers had some time for a little fun and did not spend all of their days cooking, cleaning and sewing!

You can find this great postcard in my eBay Store here: RPPC THREE FISHERWOMEN IN ROWBOAT MAPLE PLAIN MN

NATIONAL FLAG SERIES POSTCARD LADY IN FLAG ENGLAND

2011-01-26T05:51:00.000-08:00

This postcard takes patriotism to another level! I have come across many flag waving men, women and children but this is the first rather risque (for the period) view of a woman draped in a flag with a "come hither" look. It was published by Alfred Holzman, Chicago IL as part of the "National Flag Series -no 80". It is postally unused and has rounded corners with a light stain on back.

This postcard can be found in my eBay store here: NATIONAL FLAG SERIES POSTCARD LADY IN FLAG ENGLAND

Roadside Americana Postcard: Pyramid Supper Club

2011-01-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

I have a fondness for "roadside" postcards - the tackier the better. I think today's card fits the bill to a "T". The postcard boasts: "America's Most Unique and Beautiful Supper Club, Authentic Egyptian Theme and Decor". This establishment was built in the 1960's and is located 5 miles east of Beaver Dam WI on Highway 33. I discovered that the most recent incarnation, "The Pyramid of the Nile", closed on New Year's Eve 2009 due to the economy (according to the website: Pyramid of the Nile).

You can find this great postcard in my eBay store here: PYRAMID RESTAURANT BEAVER DAM WI ROADSIDE POSTCARD

Advertising Postcard from Minneapolis Grocery 1939 Heinz Products

2011-01-09T07:08:00.000-08:00

I just love this postcard on so many levels! First of all, it was published by a grocery store in my hometown, Minneapolis MN. The store was located in the Linden Hills neighborhood, just a couple of blocks from beautiful Lake Harriet. The business district at the time was on a trolley line serving cottages and country homes. Today the neighborhood has many charming shops and has an urban "small town" ambiance.

It is surprising to note that the prices of the Heinz products are not that much lower than prices of similar products today, 70 years later (when you consider the cost of living - home prices, gas, automobiles etc). I thought it would be interesting to compare prices to today's Heinz products, but discovered that many of them are available only in the UK!

This card can be found in my eBay store here: Heinz Ad Postcard Hawkinson Grocery Minneapolis MN

Pilot Whales Ashore At South Wellfleet Cape Cod MA

2011-01-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

I've come across versions of this postcard a few times and have always wondered about the story behind it. Back in whaling days, fisherman drove the blackfish (pilot whales) ashore so the oil and meat could be harvested. It was a communal effort so the they all shared in the great bounty. This particular event took place in 1884 at Old Wharf Point. The 1500 whales were sold for $15,000 which was shared by 300 members of the community. Nowadays great efforts are made to save beached whales!

This postcard can be found at auction right now on eBay: BLACKFISH ASHORE SOUTH WELLFLEET CAPE COD MA POSTCARD

Moody Mommy's Vintage New Year Postcards : HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day has dawned cold and crisp here. This is my final chapter of holiday postcards for this season.

I have no particular theme today. Here are a group of (exactly!) hundred year old postcards heralding the year:

Here is an example of a calendar post card:

And here is a "March of Months":

And finally, a French snowman postcard just because I like it:

Happy New Year! May all your days be merry and bright.

Moody Mommy's Vintage New Year Postcards : NEW YEAR'S EVE REVELRIES AND REFLECTION

2010-12-31T19:00:00.000-08:00

What better way to spend New Year's Eve than blogging about celebrating? On a blustery, winter's night like we are having here in the North tonight, it's about the closest I can get to party hats and confetti!

Bringing out the bubbly - champagne and toasts ...

Perhaps a walk on a starry winter's night ... or skating on the pond ...

It's time for reflecting on the year that is nearly over ...

And time to say adieu to the old year and welcome the new ...

Moody Mommy's Vintage New Year Postcards : Resolution Farewell to John Barleycorn

2010-12-30T06:07:00.000-08:00

This great New Year postcard is the only one I've seen about resolutions. Most of the others wish health, happiness, luck etc in the New Year. "John Barleycorn" of course refers to the "evil" products of barley like beer and whiskey. This card was postmarked 1908 in Charleston WV and was sent to Miss Katherine Lerner in Allegheny PA.

You can find this card in my eBay Store: NEW YEAR POSTCARD FAREWELL JOHN BARLEYCORN RESOLUTION

I have many other great New Year Postcards in my eBay store: MOODY MOMMY'S MARVELOUS NEW YEAR POSTCARDS

Moody Mommy's Vintage New Year Postcards : IRATE WIFE GREETS TIPSY HUSBAND

2010-12-29T07:53:00.000-08:00

Today's embossed postcard features an inebriated gentleman returning home to his negligee clad, broom toting wife. The clock clearly shows the hour is well past midnight. I just love the illustration but don't quite see the humor in the message. The artist and publisher are not identified.

The postcard was published in Germany, circa 1910.

This postcard can be found in my eBay store here: ANTIQUE NEW YEAR POSTCARD DRUNK HUSBAND AND IRATE WIFE

I have many great New Year's postcards in my eBay Store: Moody Mommy's Marvelous Postcards New Year's postcards

Moody Mommy's Vintage New Year Postcards: Brundage Woman Auto Motorist

2010-12-28T07:03:00.000-08:00

Today's postcard is an unsigned work of postcard artist Frances Brundage and published by the Tuck Co as part of "New Year Post Card Series" no 139. It was postmarked at Fisher Minnesota in 1910 and was sent by Gertie Olson to Miss Alma Norness. I love the image of a woman driving an early automobile, complete with a veiled hat! Good luck tokens, four leafed clovers and a pig decorate the border.

This card can be found in my eBay store: BRUNDAGE TUCK NEW YEAR POSTCARD LADY MOTORIST 1910

I have many other great New Year postcards in my eBay store: Moody Mommy's New Year's Postcards

Moody Mommy's Vintage New Year Postcards: GLAMOUR LADY IN SNOW

2010-12-27T04:48:00.000-08:00

This lovely embossed New Year postcard is the work of postcard artist HB Griggs. It shows a glamorous lady holding a huge fur muff and a wonderful hat. She is seen through panes of a holiday window. It was postmarked 1913 at South Lima NY and sent to Miss Agnes Collins, Canandaigua NY. It was printed in Germany, L&R Series 2225.

You can find this great post card in my eBay store here: HB GRIGGS NEW YEAR POSTCARD GLAMOUS LADY IN SNOW WITH MUFF

I have many great New Year postcards in my store! Moody Mommy's New Year Postcards

Moody Mommy's Vintage New Year Postcards : FOLKS ON TOBOGGAN

2010-12-26T07:07:00.000-08:00

This lovely embossed New Year's postcard shows revelers on a moonlit toboggan ride. It is the work of postcard artist Bernhardt Wall and printed in Germany. It was postmarked 1909 and written in Swedish (or Norwegian) - signed by "Marit" and sent to H.M. Byhre of Walker MN.

This postcard and many other great New Year's postcards can be found in my eBay store:

A/S WALL NEW YEAR POSTCARD FOLKS ON TOBOGGAN SLED 1909

Moody Mommy's Marvelous New Year Postcards

Christmas Postcard of the Day : The Nativity

2010-12-24T04:48:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! This is my last Christmas postcard post and I decided to feature a lovely religious postcard. It was published by Sborgi and is a "mechanical" postcard. The card has two panels that when closed, show the work of Fra Filippi Lippi (1400's) "The Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation". When the panels are opened, they frame another Lippi work "The Adoration of the Magi" - the back of the panels serve as a calendar for the year 1910. The colors are gorgeous!

Moody Mommy's Santa Christmas Postcard Spectacular - Days XI and XII

2010-12-23T04:32:00.000-08:00

Green Robed Santa with Deer

Lots of Holiday preparations to attend to so I didn't quite find the time to blog yesterday (as my daughter pointed out when I was stressing about this - no one is following anyway so it shouldn't matter). Followers or not, I decided to make this post a "Santa Spectacular" by bringing some of my favorites from my personal collection. Santa is shown every which way: riding a bicycle, looking at the Panama Canal from an airship, bringing toys in a sleigh, in a car, with an angel ...enjoy!

Father Christmas Santa with child and wreath of holly

Black Robed Santa with Tree

Santa in Airship looking down on Panama Canal

Santa on Bicycle

Brown Robed St Nicholas at Window

Santa Claus with Child on Lap

Santa with praying children

Santa Bringing toys near Christmas Tree

Green Robed Santa in Snow

Green Robed Santa Passing Window

Elegantly Robed Santa Walking

Santa and Holly

Motorist Santa bringing toys in automobile

Santa with toys and list

Santa bringing toys in Rooster - sleigh

Fallen Santa with children

Santa in sleigh on starry night

Santa with transportation toys

Santa with lantern and angel

Christmas Postcard of the Day x: Santa Claus

2010-12-21T05:05:00.000-08:00

Santa postcards have always been favorites of collectors. They show great variety in interpreting the "jolly old elf". Many follow the image of a plump Santa Claus described in Celment Moore's "A Visit from St Nicholas" as shown in this postcard:

This postcard is not for sale but you can find many great Santa Claus postcards in my eBay store:
Moody Mommy's Christmas Santa Postcards

Christmas Postcard of the Day IX

2010-12-20T05:59:00.000-08:00

My last angel postcard before moving on to Santas and the Nativity. I just love this one for some reason - I guess it's the old world look. I don't know much about it other than that it was printed in Germany.

Christmas Postcard of the Day VIII : Christmas Angel with Children Postcards

2010-12-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Less than a week before Christmas and I still have so many angel postcards to present! Today's postcards show angels interacting with children - watching over them, bringing them gifts and playing with them. They are lovely "windows", showing us Christmas as it was 100 years ago.

These Christmas postcards are not for sale, but you can find many wonderful Christmas postcards in my eBay store: Moody Mommy's Christmas Postcards

Christmas Postcard of the Day VII : Another Angel

2010-12-18T04:39:00.000-08:00

Along the same lines as yesterday's card, today's postcard also features an angel and a Christmas Tree. This lovely post card was published by EA Schwerdtfteger (EAS) circa 1910. It has a glossy gelatine finish with gold metallic painted highlights.

This postcard is not for sale, but you can find many lovely Christmas postcards in my eBay store: Moody Mommy's Christmas Postcards

Christmas Postcard of the Day VI : Angel bringing Christmas Tree

2010-12-17T05:22:00.000-08:00

For the next few days I will feature "angel Christmas postcards". They are among the most beautiful of the season and a personal favorite.

Today's post card by an unnamed artist, shows an angel in clouds holding a Christmas tree. In my husband's native Switzerland, the children are not allowed to go into the "parlor" (stube) on Christmas Eve. Then, after supper, a bell rings and the doors are opened to reveal a magnificent decorated tree lit with candles with presents underneath - brought not by Santa Claus but by the Christmas angel (Christkindli). In our home here in the US, we follow primarily American traditionsbut have added a "Swiss twist". Every Christmas morning my husband descends the stairs to see if Santa (Christkindli) has come and then rings a bell signaling that the children can join him.

This card can be found in my eBay store : Lovely Antique Christmas Postcard Angel Candles Tree.

You can find more Christmas angel postcards in my store here: Moody Mommy's Christmas Angel Postcards

Christmas Postcard of the Day V

2010-12-16T00:14:00.000-08:00

The featured postcard today is actually two postcards by the same artist: Margaret Evans Price (M.E. Price). Ms Price was known as a children's book writer and illustrator and also produced many fine postcards. Her husband, Irving Price, was a founder of the toy company, Fisher Price! These sweet postcards show children in front of windows with candles in hands and toys nearby.

Two Margaret Evans Price Christmas Postcards

They are signed "ME Price" and were published by the Stecher Company as part of Series 656 F.

You can find them in my eBay store here: 2 CHRISTMAS POSTCARD LOT A/S ME PRICE CHILDREN @ WINDOW

Enjoy!

Christmas Postcard of the Day IV

2010-12-14T23:59:00.000-08:00

Many of the Christmas postcards depict images of excited children waiting for the big day or happily playing with their presents on Christmas morning. Today's postcard shows children that have maybe had a little too much Christmas - fighting over a toy horse and crying. I sense that the verse writer was being a bit sarcastic when he/she penned: "See the trees with candles gleaming, Every bough with presents teeming". The card was published by FA Owens and was mailed in 1915.

ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS POSTCARD NAUGHTY CHILDREN WITH TOYS

You can find this postcard, and other great Christmas postcards, in my eBay store here: Moody Mommy's Christmas Postcards

Christmas Postcard of the Day III (a day late)

2010-12-14T23:13:00.000-08:00

The Christmas postcard for today is a little diferent. It features a horse-drawn combine harvestingwheat. I can't imagine why this was considered appropriate for Christmas greetings! The postcard is in rather rough shape having multiple creases but still is basically sound.

It was published By Wesley Andrews of Baker Oregon.

ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS POSTCARD HORSE DRAWN COMBINE

You can find the Christmas postcards listed in my eBay store here: Moody Mommy's Christmas Postcards

Christmas Postcard of the Day II

2010-12-13T07:45:00.000-08:00

ANTIQUE WHITNEY CHRISTMAS POSTCARD NIMBLE NICKS WITH PUPPY

This charming Christmas postcard published by the Whitney Co of Worcester MA depicts Nimble Nicks (Santa's helpers) delivering gifts with the "help" of a puppy. The postcard was not mailed but has a message on the back dated 1919.

This card can be found in my eBay store here

Christmas Postcard of the Day

2010-12-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

I've decided to feature a Christmas "Postcard of the Day" during these two weeks before Christmas as a way of getting some of holiday spirit. Since none of us have much time during this busy period my posts will brief. Happy holiday season!

We're digging out from a blizzard here in Minneapolis today with temperatures not rising above zero degrees Farenheit. At least we are guaranteed a white Christmas!

Our view last night, after the snow stopped and the winds died down, was very similar to the scene in this lovely die-cut postcard:

Lovely Antique Die-Cut Christmas Postcard

Printed in Germany circa 1910

This postcard can be found in my eBay Store HERE

THANKSGIVING POSTCARDS

2010-10-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

Before folded greeting cards were produced, Americans sent Thanksgiving postcards to friends and family. These are often rich in humor and illustrate the traditions of this holiday. They often are patriotic including Uncle Sam and other national symbols as part of the theme.

The date of the modern American observance of Thanksgiving can be traced back to Abraham Lincoln's proclamation during the middle of the Civil War, setting the date on the final Thursday in the month of November. His successors continued the custom by presidential proclamation until Franklin Roosevelt broke with tradition during the Depression by declaring the fourth Thursday in November as the national celebration in effort to boost retail sales during the Christmas season. He hoped the increased spending would bring the country out the Depression. In 1941 President Roosevelt signed a bill making the national celebration of this holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.

Today's customs loosely follow the celebration meal in 1621 held by the Wampanoag Tribe of American Indians and the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth MA. The traditional Thanksgiving dinner features turkey, potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberries, corn and other fall vegetables and pumpkin pie.

Even before the advent of television, football has played a large part of the tradition in many families. Since its inception, the National Football league has played a game on Thanksgiving day. Colleges and universities and high schools traditionally scheduled rivalry games. Macy's Department store holds an annual Thanksgiving Day parade on the upper west side of New York City to the flagship store on Herald Square.

However Americans celebrate the holiday it is seen as a homecoming or coming together to enjoy the fruits of the abundant harvest usually preceded by a prayer of thanksgiving.

I am sharing some of the postcards I have listed - you can find some of them in my eBay store here: Moody Mommy's Thanksgiving Postcards .

Cowgirl Postcards

2010-09-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl I had a red cowboy shirt with white stitching and shiny black cowboy boots. My room had cowboy wallpaper. I had a holster and a toy revolver. I was convinced that I would grow up to be a cowgirl!

Cowgirls captured the imagination of postcard publishers as well. The rules of decorum which applied to contemporary women in more "civilized" parts did not seem to apply to these strong, feisty women of the golden west.

I will show some of my favorite postcards here. I don't have many listed now but every once in awhile I run across a collection and list them on eBay. They are very sought after. I guess I am not the only woman who fancied herself a cowgirl at one time!

My eBay cowgirl listings can be found here: Cowgirl Postcard

This is a real photo postcard of a REAL cowgirl:

Here is an idealized beauty of a cowgirl by artist W Haskell Coffin from 1908:

And another beauty by Boileau:

I imagine they looked more like this:

Or this ...

I am certain they didn't look like this sexy version (must have been very risque circa 1910!):

At any rate, they were great shots as shown by these cards:

And nimble with the lasso:

And sought after by many a cowboy!

Well that's it for today. Happy Trails to you!

VINTAGE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN POSTCARDS

2010-09-20T05:10:00.000-07:00

I have always been interested in Native American postcards. Perhaps it is because my grandmother, Grace Poole Steinberg, was an amateur Indian historian. She even was made an honorary member of the Omaha tribe for her work in preserving the grave of Big Elk in the 1950's.

Some of the earlier postcards (circa 1900) were published near the time of the last of the Indian Wars (1898 Leech Lake Minnesota Battle of Sugar Point and 1918 Battle of Bear Valley in Southern Arizona). Postcards from that era often featured great warriors, scouts and leaders.

This postcard shows Sioux Indian Chief Iron Hail, a survivor of Wounded Knee. Listed on ebay here

Here is a group of Chiefs from British Columbia (listed on ebay here)

And a group of Sioux Chiefs (listed on eBay here)

Sometimes the older postcards showed women and babies. This one of "Bright Eyes" is lovely (eBay listing)
This 1908 postcard shows the plight of some older Puget Sound Siwash members in Seattle WA (found here in my eBay listing):

Many of the postcards that we "think" depict everyday life might indeed be "staged" for the tourist trade. Fred Harvey was famous for promoting the American Southwest and owned a chain of restaurants and hotels. He also published postcards.

"Harvey is also known for pioneering the art of commercial cultural tourism. His "Indian Detours" were meant to provide an authentic Native American experience by having actors stage a certain lifestyle in the desert in order to sell tickets to unwitting tourists.^[4] Fred Harvey's feats of marketing did not stop at the attraction either, as for tour guides he used attractive women in outfits becoming their figures. " Wikipedia

I guess we must appreciate those postcards for what they were. Many, particularly those published by the Detroit Publishing Company for Fred Harvey are very beautiful.

Here are some women displaying their handcrafts: (eBay listing)

Here is a Chimayo Rug weaver at his loom (eBay listing)

A third "genre" of Native American Postcards are the "comic" postcards of the 1940's and 1950's demonstrating prejudice or derogatory comments. These may be of some cultural interest (not Native American culture but the American culture in general at that time). I don't collect these postcards and don't have any to show here.

My Native American postcard listings can be found in my eBay store here: Moody Mommy's Marvelous Postcard Store - Native American

RPPC REAL PHOTO POSTCARDS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

2010-09-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

I guess my favorite postcards are the photo postcards circa 1910 of women and children. Sadly, these are often not identified. They give us a litle insight into how life was at that time through the vintage clothing and the subjects' demeanor. Somehow I feel I understand my grandmothers (one was born in 1890 and the other in 1901) a little better by enjoying pictures of their contemporaries.

I love this unidentified postcard of a woman pouring a drink of beer in her kitchen!

Sometimes the postcards are formal studio photographs, such as this one of three women from Duluth MN dressed for the cold Minnesota winters.

This postcard is listed in my eBay store here: RPPC POSTCARD WOMEN IN FURS GREAT HATS DULUTH MN

Sometimes a relative or friend captures a photograph in a natural setting like this one:

On eBay:RPPC POSTCARD CHILDREN WITH CALF COW WI WISCONSIN 1909

I think the girl on the right looks like Pippi Longstocking
On eBay: RPPC POSTCARD GIRL FRIENDS ON FRONT STOOP CIRCA 1920

This little boy looks like Tom Sawyer!On eBay: RPPC POSTCARD LITTLE BOY IN SHORT PANTS TOM SAWYER HAT

How about these two little sweet babies?
On eBay: RPPC POSTCARD MARGERY & GALE FOX - CHILDREN GREAT HATS

This photograph of an old woman identified as being 80 years old (born around 1830) is intriguing!On eBay: RPPC POSTCARD OLD WOMAN IN CHAIR AUNT DANIEL 80 YRS OLD

This photograph lets us see the plight of itinerant farm workers - lots of people living in those bunk houses - probably without running water and electricity!

On eBay: RPPC POSTCARD FARM WORKER FAMILIES @ BUNKHOUSE c 1910

Living in Minnesota, many of the subjects of the postcards I find are of Scandinavian descent - lots of blonde children. These little girls are especially adorable - take note of their shoes!

On eBay: RPPC POSTCARD BLONDE LITTLE GIRLS IN WHITE W/ FLOWERS

I could go on and on but this is enough for today - I will followup another time with more great postcards. I currently have over 200 similar real photo postcards of people listed on eBay - check them out here: Moody Mommy's Real Photo Postcards RPPC of Women, Children, Men, Babies, Families

Blogger, Facebook, Twitter ...

2009-11-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

How is a person supposed to do all of this social networking, live a quasi-normal life AND run a thriving business? I don't know but I will say that tweeting and facebooking have been my occupations of late. I am not sure any of this makes a bit of difference - am I networking in blank cyberspace? Is anyone really interested in what I have to say? I decided to forge ahead anyway - I have a few Twitter followers but I think most of them are just trying to sell ME stuff like "how to sell on ebay" guides etc..or porn. I don't even know how you are supposed to get people to be a fan of your Facebook page short of paying for advertising (not in the budget)! The facebook page is really pretty with all the postcard images and one of my best friends is a fan (the rest of my family and friends evidently decided not to sign on and who could blame them if postcards aren't your thing?)

So to all of you who have stumbled upon this blog I will make this offer: Follow me on Twitter, Become My Facebook Fan or Follow this Blog and you can buy one postcard and get another postcard FREE (choose from any of my Buy-it-Now eBay listings priced at $10 or less). Just send me a message through eBay to let me know who you are, that you are a follower and the item number of your free postcard (don't Buy-It-Now or I will have to pay fees). One per customer - offer good until canceled.

Here I am on facebook: Moody Mommy's Marvelous Postcards Page
Here is my Twitter ID : MoodyMommysPCs
Here is my Blog: Moody Mommmy's Marvelous Postcards Blog

Merry Widow Hat Postcards

2009-09-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Franz Lehar's 1905 operetta "The Merry Widow" lent its name to the newest fashion in ladies' hats during the Edwardian period. These hats were often outrageously sized, wide brimmed and decorated with expensive feathers and flowers.

In 1908 J Grollman produced a series of Merry Widow Hat postcards poking fun at this fashion. I listed one of my favorites on eBay this week:

"VINTAGE MERRY WIDOW HAT POSTCARD LADY ON COFFIN 1908"

Here are a few of the others in this 16 card series:

Update February 2011:
I have found a few other Grollman Merry Widow Hat postcards to add

Back to work - or perhaps not since the day is glorious and all work and no play....

TTFN
Moody Mommy

You can find my Merry Widow Hat postcard listings in my eBay store here: Moody Mommy's Merry Widow Hat Postcard Listings

Back to work

2009-05-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted. We have had a family emergency and I had to take an unscheduled break from my eBay business. It always takes me so long after a break to get things rolling again - I have been busy with a backlog of shipping and listing.

I attended the Twin City Postcard Club Spring show last week and found some great cards! I am excited about listing them - just wish there were more hours in the day!

I listed several fun ones last week. Perhaps my favorite is this one of the Grizzly Bear Rug Display at the Holt Reinhart Department Store in Montreal QC. I wonder if they still have this department? It can be found on ebay here GRIZZLY BEAR RUGS HOLT RENFREW DEPT STORE QUEBEC QC POSTCARD :
I started to list a postcard of men scaling a wall of marble at a quarry in Carrara Italy when I became curious about the name of the recipient (the message referred to drawings for a Virgins Chapel). A Google search revealed that the recipient was Emmanuel Masquery, a noted architect at the turn of the century. He spent the last years of his life in St Paul and designed the Roman Catholic Cathedral in St Paul and the Basilica in Minneapolis. Cool! It can be found here:
CARRARA MARBLE QUARRY ITALY POSTCARD TO EL MASQUERAY.

I'd best get back to work now - more later.

TTFN

Mary Ann

Hot Bird and Cold Bottle Postcard

2009-03-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

This double entendre term was used around the turn of the century to connote a dashing "Man about Town". The "Hot Bird" was either a woman of dubious (translate 'loose') morals or a hot meal and the "Cold Bottle" was usually champagne. Although the idea of this saying strikes my feminist nerve, I really like the artwork and the outrageous costumes! Since the fellow is costumed as a cocky rooster, I guess the "hot bird" could be the male from the female point of view.

Often postcards illustrate popular sayings and songs from earlier eras that do not translate well to modern day sentiments. There are many comic postcards that I don't understand at all!

This postcard is currently listed on eBay: FOLKS IN COSTUME HOT BIRD COLD BOTTLE POSTCARD 1912

I am really busy scanning and listing today.

TTFN
Moody Mommy (Mary Ann)

The Joy Court Motel - If You Stop You Stay

2009-03-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

You are a Stranger here but once "If You Stop ~ You Stay"
A Good Court & Service Station
US Highways 54-60-285
East Vaughn NM

You have to love the hopeful motto of the Joy Court Motel in East Vaughn NM! The motel boasts of modern tub or shower baths, attached garages and inner-spring mattresses! It looks like Interstate 40 bypassed Vaughn to the North and left the motel to the occasional off road traveler. A check of motels near Vaughn (2000 population 500) doesn't list the Joy Court.
I can well remember when Texaco gas stations looked like this with a couple of pumps and required a key to use the restroom.

I have a passion for old motel postcards. They almost always had a motto. Even the tiniest 9 unit motels had AAA affiliation and sold postcards. Holiday Inns pretty much put an end to places like this, but in my opinion, roadside America is much more boring today!

I will feature other motels here from time to time and will soon start blogging about another of my passions, "Tacky Postcards". This postcard can be found on eBay here.

I have a motel, restaurant and roadside category in my store: Roadside Motels where you can find 1200 more "gems" like this one!

TTFN
Moody Mommy (Mary Ann)

Green Man in the Moon Postcard?

2009-03-21T05:11:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that this one is interesting but has me stumped! It looks to me like cherubs are trying to get the Man in the Moon drunk ...and succeeding, evidently, judging by moon's the pallor! I can't figure out what occasion would warrant such a card.

The caption reads "To wish you 'All that you wish'". Perhaps it is meant as a multi-purpose greeting card? It is postmarked 1910 which would have been contemporary with the Temperance Movement but perhaps that is a coincidence, or perhaps not.

It is embossed and printed in Germany with no information regarding artist and publisher. It would be a great addition to a "Man in the Moon" collection even if it is not completely understood. It can be found here: Ebay Item 370176607448.

TTFN ~ Moody Mommy (Mary Ann)

Large Letter Postcards

2009-03-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

I have always loved linen large letter postcards. They bring back memories of souvenir stands we visited on family vacations during my childhood in the 1950's. They are perfect mini travel posters with views of cities or states squished in the shapes of the letters. While postcards are collected world-wide, the large letter form seems to be unique to the United States. The linen large letters date from the 1930's through the 1950's.

I listed this group today. I have to confess that my favorite is the one from Miami Beach.

I have several more in my store and list new ones whenever I can find them. Click here to see the large letters I currently have listed.

TTFN
Moody Mommy ( Mary Ann)

Lincoln Centennial Postcard

2009-03-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

"ABRAHAM LINCOLN THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT"

I listed a great postcard last night. It was printed in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The card caught my eye because this year is the Bicentennial anniversary. It was published by E Nash as part of the Lincoln Birthday Series No 1. It is embossed and features a cameo picture of Abe and an image of Lady Liberty visiting a woman in mourning attire seated on a bench by five soldier graves. The text of Lincoln's letter to Mrs Lydia Bixby of Boston MA who was reported to have lost five sons in battle during the Civil War is included (As it turns out, Mrs Bixby was a Confederate sympathizer who destroyed the letter. Two of her sons were killed in battle, one deserted, one was discharged and another either deserted or died as a POW. Whatever, it still is a great letter! [In my opinion, EVERY mother who loses a son or daughter in service to this country deserves such a letter]):

"Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,--

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln"

The postcard is listed on EBay (ending March 25th): http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370175514857

I have 9,000 GREAT postcards currently listed on eBay. I will be back soon to feature another favorite.

TTFN
Moody Moomy (Mary Ann)