Easter Greetings

Considering how many Easter cards I have, I think it must have been common practice to send lots of them. I'm guessing they were almost as popular as Christmas cards. Who sends Easter cards anymore? Nobody that I know. There is something very festive and fun about them though and the mystifying blend of pagan and Christian traditions, with bunnies, eggs, chickens, and Jesus.

Don't mess with this chick; you'd be sorry.

 This poor little chick with the umbrella must live in Portland or Seattle.

Wait a minute, angels don't have sideburns. Run away little chick, this is an imposter.

$15 for the Minister

What better way to celebrate Easter than to pledge $15 towards the minister's salary.

Here's the back of the card, sent to Mrs. Gussie Ward in Canastota, New York. The message reads:

Gussie - 

Put me down for $15 for the year on your ministers salary - 

Best wishes - 

____(?)

Fröhliche Ostern

These two Easter cards were both sent to Trinchen von Oesen, the German maid featured in last Saturday's post.

The first card was from her sister Lina, who thankfully had fairly legible handwriting. The message reads:

Dear Sister!

I received your card many thanks for that. I'm traveling to Grambkermoor

The Baetjers got a little girl but I would have gone anyway. Now you can write me about how things are with you there. Now ___ your time is soon up.

Happy Easter along with friendly greetings

Your Lina

I am unable to decipher the message on the second card.

I am Your Brudder

This card with Best Easter Wishes was sent to Freda R. McKewen (?) at the Mansion House in Binghamton, New York in 1916.

There are a number of mansions in Binghamton, but I have a feeling that this was actually some sort of boarding house rather than an actual mansion. I found an article in the November 3, 1900 issue of the New York Times announcing the death of a salesman, John Higgins of Binghamton, at the Mansion House. Higgins, a traveling salesman for the Beck Cigar Company, was despondent over family and health problems. He committed suicide by eating two ounces of rat poison. Higgins left behind a wife and four children.

Here's the back of the card and the message, which reads:

Wishing you a happy Easter

I am your brudder

Deloss

Clinton Burnett Died

I am sometimes surprised by the casual death announcements that are transmitted on an otherwise cheerful postcard - especially when the card has cute little Easter chicks on it.

Here's the back of the card, sent to Mrs. E.B. Spoor c/o Geo. Snyder in Delanson, New York.

The message reads:

Dearest Mother.

Hope this will find you all well. Clinton Burnett died this morning I have not been down home this week there has been some thing all the time Miss Fancher is going to be here to supper to night Well good by love to Florence and George and yourself. Carrie

Easter Bunny - See No Evil

Although I have a wide variety of Easter cards, I have a number of them that have a nearly identical Easter Bunny. In a few cases, girls are covering the rabbit's eyes. I don't know why.

Easter Escapades

I decided to post this extra card on a whim, because of the similarity to a card that Mark just posted at Postcard Roundup. The clothing on the boys is very similar on both cards, as is the style of the trees. Was it painted by the same artist? The boys on his card look sweet and good-natured; mine look like trouble.

Easter Chicks

I think I have enough Easter postcards to start a separate Easter postcard blog. (Don't worry, I won't) Here are some postcards featuring chicks. See if you can spot the misspelling.

And here's the back of the second card.

Easter Photo Booth

The front of this postcard is not very interesting, but the back is!

Unfortunately, I have no idea who these people are.

How About That Box of Huyler's?

Huyler's was a chain of candy stores in the New York City area. May had probably discussed going to one of the Manhattan stores with Lizzie Graham for a trip that would include both sightseeing and sweets. The card was sent on this day 101 years ago.  If you'd like to look at more postcards to and from the Graham family, click here.

The message reads:

Hello Lizzie:

How about that box of Huyler's? Think I smell them but I would be wiling to get them if you will only fulfill your part of the bargain. Don't forget your camera for I want one or two snap shots.

May.

I Knew I was Ovulating When...

Chickens or Bunnies?

Easter is full of interesting symbols, including chickens, eggs, and bunnies. They don't really have much to do with the Christian celebration of the holiday, but they certainly make for beautiful and amusing cards. So, what do you prefer, chickens or bunnies? From what I can tell, there seems to be a certain rivalry between the two:

It appears that rabbits steal eggs.

Chickens are much more serious. I guess it's because they're protecting their eggs.

But if you play music, they get distracted and have to dance. Then you can paint their eggs.

Easter...and Some Leftover Fish

I've inundated you with April Fish cards over the last several days, so I knew you would be relieved to have a fish-free day today. Since Easter is just a few days away, I picked out a nice Easter postcard.

But then I looked at the card again and had a moment of recognition. Didn't I see approximately the same card a few days ago when I was going through the fish cards? Is it possible?

Well, look at that! Perhaps she did a Christmas one right after this. If they were doing them in order of the holidays, the fish one would have been first, so let's hope she washed her hands after that one.

O.K., I promise, tomorrow - no fish! No fish postcards and no fish for dinner. The fish postcards have  inspired me to cook a lot of fish, and Mr. Anonymous is sort of fished out. Maybe I'll make some deviled eggs.

Predecessors of the Olson Twins

People suspected that they were smoking behind the barn, but the truth was much worse...

Blackberry Kills a Sparrow

This postcard was sent to George Thompson of Mechanicville, NY on March 28, 1907.

Blackberry caught a sparrow yesterday and was too proud for anything. Hope you will enjoy your vacation.
A.M.A.