The post card notes are interesting because they are so ordinary. Today, with e-mail, I'm sure that I've sent hundreds of these notes with little bits of 'talky talk' information: How are you, say hello to so-and-so, we had fun last night. In fact, most of the post cards in the collection are just notes thanking Della for writing a note. I was also struck by the how the structure of the post card writing hasn't changed for a hundred years; Start in the body, if you run out of space, go back to the top, if you still have more to write, start on the border of the card. I'll try to transcribe what I can of the post card notes, but people had some damn fancy writing back then.
There are several postcards, so rather than sweat to death in my kitchen (no air in here) I'll break up this scanning project over the next few days
This photos was in with the collection. I wish I knew which women is Della. It's one of my favorite photos.

Note: I remember every one of these girls by name. Deceased: Mabel, Lulu, Helen (I can't make out the last names)




From Myrtle.

August 13, 1909


As the card says: "The Swastika" is the oldest cross and emblem in the world. It forms a combination of four "L"s, standing for Luck, Light, Love, and Life. It has been found in ancient Rome, excavations of Grecian Cities, on Buddhist idols, on Chinese coins dated 315 B.C. and our own Southwestern Indians use it as an amulet. It is claimed that the Mound Builders and Cliff Dwellers of Mexico, Central America consider the "Swastika" a charm to drive away evil and bring good luck, long life and prosperity to the possessor.
I'm not sure how well that worked out for Hitler... but I never thought there could be a pretty Swastika card.
Hello. How are you this morning. We are all well. Fine weather and good crops. Tell me more how Rose and Bet is getting along. ~ Leo Basil's address. Love to all. W.J.B.
June 19, 1911
Dear Della, Glad to hear you are having such a nice trip and hope you will have a good time all summer. I have not been well for some time. Hardly able to work, but I'm feeling better now. We had company today. Some relatives from Oklahoma. They want me to go home with them. We have been having real fleas and (?) for some time, but did have it very hot. You must be a in a pretty place from looking at the card. Write soon. From Ada.
If anyone else can make out that last line let me know.
Will continue this exciting story soon...
2 comments:
I love these types of things. Looking forward to more.
About a year ago, I got an email from a lady in PA that I didn't know. I had left my email addy on a genealogy website stating I was searching for my family in a specific place in KS. This lady loved to buy postcards and collections, too, and she had a photo postcard of my great-great aunt and uncle. She mailed it to me. I was very delighted.
I have lots of these goodies, but mine are all family.
Can you imagine sending a postcard for only one penny!
We found a bunch of old photos from the 40s-50s when we first moved into our old house in 1980. There were lots of photo negatives of this hot blond guy and they were labelled "Franz." It turned out that he was the nephew of Helen, the woman who'd lived there in the 50s, and that he and my uncle used to get drunk in high school together...
I never did ask my uncle if he and Franz ever did any drunken mutual groping...my guess, however, is not...
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