Beware of Free Samples

When someone offers you free samples, this is what they may have in mind. Well, they are pretty cute. O.K., I guess I'll take a couple.

I have seen this 'Nit' on cards before. I seem to recall that it stands for something, but I can't remember what. Does anyone else know? Any guesses?

Also, I have only seen Washington state abbreviated as WA, never as WN.

Here's the back of the card.
The message to Master H.G. Modrell of Tekoa, Washington reads:

Dearest dear:

Why don't you ever write to me? Gee but I would like to have you here now. How are you feeling now? How is your Mama? Well so long and ans soon.Love to u'all. How's my kitty are you taking good care of her for me? 

Lovingly 

Aunt Elsie

Tekoa is a small town in eastern Washington near the Idaho border. It currently has a population of around 800 people, but back in 1912 when this card was sent, the population was closer to 1,500. Cheney, Washington, which is located in Spokane County (also eastern Washington) had a similarly-sized population in 1912, but their population has continued to grow and is now over 10,000.

What Were They Thinking?

If you had been a fly on the wall, this is the conversation you might have overheard:

Museum Director: We really need to do something to attract more visitors to the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum.
Marketing Director: Well, perhaps we should print a postcard.
Museum Director: Great idea, but which exhibit should we feature? There are so many good ones to choose from.
Marketing Director: Well, we could feature a photo of the atomic bomb along with a catchy slogan.
Museum Director: Or something about the Cold War or Israel...
Marketing Director: Maybe we should go with something less controversial.

As you can see, the results were very good. The eye is drawn to numerous points of interest: flags, lectern, electrical outlet, presidential seal, heating vent, wide expanse of wall, metal windows with photos attached to the glass. You can't go wrong.

And then there's this memorable postcard. I don't know. Am I missing something? Who would send this? And who would they send it to?

Here are the backs of the postcards.

Take the Leap!

Did you notice that we have one extra day this month? Leap year is better news for people who are paid by the hour than for people who are on a monthly salary, so it all depends on your perspective whether you appreciate it or not. Here's a card from some previous leap year, circa 1920.

Initially I was puzzled by this card because I didn't make the connection between leap year and 'taking the leap', i.e. getting married. I can't say I've heard the expression used in conversation. More often it's something about tying the knot or making an honest man/woman out of someone. In the early 1900s there were plenty of humorous postcards that pointed out the perils of marriage and courtship, mostly, though not always, presented from a man's perspective.

This one's a little odd, isn't it?

And this one's pretty unusual too.

Here's the back of that last card, sent in 1909 to Miss Verlene Hall in Sargent, Nebraska. You didn't think the card was that old, did you?

The message reads:

Made good connections in Joe 8:45 there is little difference in weather conditions here and there. The weather is gloomy and so ___ _. ha: he, he!

I am mad at that hello girl because she wouldn't let me say all my say. 

X---

I think 'Hello Girls' were telephone operators.