Every Friday The Psychogenealogist shares a "Pic of the Week." The intent is to encourage thought and imagination about the spaces where psychology, genealogy, and history converge.
Here we have a cartoon postcard from 1908. It shows an artist sitting at an easel “Drawing His Salary”. Yes, I get the pun: he is both “drawing” with a pen or paintbrush and “drawing” (e.g. “taking”) a sum of money from the eventual sale of his artwork. I am often perplexed by vintage humor. Were some jokes and puns funnier to people 100+ years ago than they are to modern audiences?
The address side of the postcard says that it was sent August 24th, 1908 from Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The back was very difficult to read, so I adjusted the highlighting and contrast to get a better look.
My best guess is that it reads:
Hello old (Pal? Partner?)
Was tickled
to hear from
you. Are you
coming up
to the farm for that job?
Goodbye Old (Pal?)
That might be close? What do you you think?
It appears to be addressed to:
Mr. William Mc (something) in
Vicksburg, Mich
R.R. #3
Vicksburg is a town about 15 miles South of Kalamazoo.
This would be another good genealogical puzzle to solve if you are interested. I would love to find a living descendant of someone connected to this postcard!
Questions:
Who sent and received this postcard?
Were these friends? Siblings?
Where did the postcard itself come from (note the language used in the upper left corner)?
What do you think, feel, and wonder about as you consider the story behind this postcard?
Are there family stories you are hoping to find and tell? Let us help you!
Related Posts: postcards
“Did you know you had a Brother in the world that Looked like the other side” is inscribed on the back of this photo. Who is this mustachioed man and what is his story?