A window with a branch of festive holly declares “A Happy Christmas” and the sentiment:
May Health and Happiness unite
To make thy Christmas truly bright
Mailed in 1914 from Boston to Anna Chodl, the card carries a kind note signed by Brother Chas.
A window with a branch of festive holly declares “A Happy Christmas” and the sentiment:
May Health and Happiness unite
To make thy Christmas truly bright
Mailed in 1914 from Boston to Anna Chodl, the card carries a kind note signed by Brother Chas.
Dated 1912, here’s a postcard sent to Anna Chodl in Chicago, sending “Christmas Greetings.” I wasn’t quite sure what the object on the front of the card was supposed to be. Is it a horse’s harness? A wreath hanger? Whatever it is was decked with holly and balsam.
This particular card features a lovely poinsettia bouquet, tied with an actual ribbon. The greeting came from the Fritsch Art Gallery in Owatanna, MN. It could be a complete coincidence, but there is an artist named Katherine Fritsch who has a sculpture placed in Owatanna – a giant blue rooster.
Giant Blue Rooster Sculpture in Owatanna
The more likely sender of the card was Henry Fritsch, in business between 1938-1953 +/-. He was in operation on West Vine at two different locations.
Poor Martha Smith, her image is fading so we can’t see much of her profile any longer. What we can see shows us a middle-aged woman in a rather nice dress. There is a lot of trim and adornment going on there.
The back tells us a little, but it will be nearly impossible to find Madam Smith due to such common names. She was photographed by J. W. Bryant in La Porte, Indiana. I’d put the image in the 1870s.
This pretty doorstep scene inspires a welcoming feeling, and comes with a funny twist. The front reads
Happy Chirstmas
May wishes come
From far and near
Fill heart and home
With
Christmas Cheer
The card was mailed in 1926 to Mr & Mrs Frank Bartholow of Thurmont, Maryland. It was signed
Best wishes to you and yours from us and ours, Mr & Mrs Brosius
The funny thing here…I buy these cards from antique dealers across the US, none are my own, but this particular one features a family name, and our family lived in and around Maryland for many generations. It’s quite possible this card was sent by a distant relative nearly 100 years ago, only to wind up with me!
Who Were They? 