Happy Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving cards were very popular at the turn of the century. Many of the old Thanksgiving cards were focused on the hapless turkey. Not many people send cards for the holiday anymore, though people certainly do go to great lengths to share a feast with family and friends. If that's what you're doing, I hope you have a warm and happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here to wish you a happy Thanksgiving is my favorite postcard personality, Tracy Graham.

 

Note that the sender has written Tracy on the young man's forehead.  That's so typical of cards to and from Tracy Graham. They are always warm and humorous, often poking fun, and with real news.

As I mentioned last week, I was thrilled to track down Tracy's daughter, Bernice, who is alive and well and didn't know anything about about this collection of postcards I have that were sent to and from her parents. I am sending them on to her, because that's where they belong.  I know that they will reawaken childhood memories and be passed on to grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I admit it's difficult, because these are without a doubt some of my favorite postcards. At the same time, I have a real sense of satisfaction knowing that these cards are going to the family who wrote them.  I'm thankful that I got to read them and share their stories. And these cards had real stories; they followed Lizzie and Tracy through their years of courtship, marriage, and family. I feel like I knew the family. I'm even more thankful that I was able to talk to Bernice in person and that our conversation connected the postcard world with the real world.

The message to Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Graham reads:

Nov. 23 - 1917

Hope to see you all soon. I am going home Sunday and hope you can come down for a visit next week. Mary will be here after  Wednesday for the rest of the week. With Love. M.V.G.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and to the Graham family.
If you would like to look at some of the previous Tracy Graham posts, click here.

Thanksgiving Greetings from Mabel

And here's the back of the card.

The message to Mrs. Claud Light reads:

Dear Sis,

I am anxious to see the new kitchen. Write and tell me what you are going to give the girls for Christmas so I won't be giving the same things. Lovingly, Mabel

Eleven Pound Baby

No, this is not a picture of the baby; this is a turkey. See the back of the card for details on the turkey-sized baby.

The message sent to William Jefferson in 1909 reads:

Dear Annie +Will - You will be surprised  to hear of our Eleven pownd Boy Born Nov. 22.

answer, Lane + Lee

Uncle Sam Talks Turkey

Uncle Sam is saying, "O.K., it's the day after Thanksgiving, now give it back." Well, at least it looks that way.

This card was sent in 1909. As best as I can tell, the message reads:

Hello Ed

Are you a liveing in the mountains

This nice weather.

Looked for you up this fall are you not a coming up.

This turkey is for your dinner.

from Mrs. H

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's wishing you a happy Thanksgiving, just as Mr. Bumpus did when he sent this beautiful card to his daughter in 1911.