This is likely the last batch of postcard ephemera that you’re going to see for a while.
Nowadays, I don’t scan the backs of postcards unless they’re particularly interesting or I’m planning on selling the card on its own. I have too much material for that, and too many stories to tell.
Most of these are from the early 1900s and were sent all over Ontario. I have some pieces that went to Hamilton, some to Toronto, and even a German piece or two. Note how different the handwriting is across each card. I can’t even read some of these, and I was raised with cursive writing.
I think this is one of the cards that was written in German. Look at how neat their penmanship was! I am kind of in love with this style of writing. It’s so pretty, so elegant! … To my eyes, anyway.
A letter to a sister sent in 1910 as an apology for not accepting an invitation, likely to Christmas festivities. The other person in the household isn’t well! I think the South Bay Post Office was located in Prince Edward County.
How quickly did these postcards arrive in the mail, anyway? Bob mailed this one out and stated that he’d write again the next week! 244 Markham Street is an old rowhouse in Toronto and shares the street with a boatload of other century townhomes. The location is worth a look on Google Maps, where you can see how renovations have changed the look of the street over the decades.
Alice wrote to her cousin Katie in 1908 to say she received her card and was happy to hear from her. She asked about “little Sylvia” and mentioned that all was well and the fruit trees were in bloom. It looks like Alice lived somewhere in Tennessee.
Katie Neuman’s home in Hamilton still exists, a humble little duplex with a small front yard.
In this postcard from 1914, the author talks about how surprised they were to hear from Grant and mentions having been “dogged” by him at what I think is the city show and at the Picton Fair. There’s heavy guilt-tripping all through this letter! Oh dear. The author was not happy with Grant and felt like they were being avoided!
It sounds a bit like the postal service may have lost some of their correspondence along the way. Whoops.
This person had so much to say that they wrote at every angle they could possibly find in order to use as much space as possible!
The writer here must be young, as they mention “getting along nicely in school” and their writing is kind of messy. Something is said about Christmas, but that’s about all I can decipher. I’m not sure what the 2000 stamp is about! Maybe this never made it to its destination?
Oh, what a sweet note.
Dear Ross,
I hope Santa will be good and fill your stocking and bring you everything you want don’t eat too much Merry Xmas Aunt Jennie
Arthur, Ontario, is a small-ish town located west of Orangeville, Ontario.
Here we go, I don’t remember what this is! I think it’s the back of an envelope and not a full postcard. The intact postal info is really cool!
Sent to Harrisville, New York, in 1925. It just squeaked by to wish the recipients all the best for 1926! The Merry Christmas stamp is interesting, isn’t it?
Aunt Jane wishing the Clark family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I think that’s a C, anyway! This is a very simple postcard design, I like that.
Corbyville, Ontario is located near Belleville, and a distillery operated there from 1859 to 1989. Another distillery operates in the area now. Olive here has an interesting style of writing, though it may be more due to what she was using to scribble her note than anything else.
Dear Sister—
Why weren’t you out to Rally last night? Father will be out after you sometime on Wednesday. Well I must ring off as I have got to get at washing. Will tell you the rest later. Yours truly, Olive.
Why does every Olive we meet in letters sound kind of like a jerk!?
I do not recognize this writing—is it a form of shorthand?
This postcard definitely uses some short forms for things. Look at the loops! I may not be able to read more than a word of this, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t elegant as heck.
Code? Shorthand? Another language? If you know, tell me!
Allensville is way up north of Bracebridge, near Huntsville. The Muskokas have been very touristy for over a century.
John, the writer, spends this letter informing Mrs. Lawrence that he made it to Brandon and was waiting for a train.
This postcard reads:
Dear Sis
Rec’d your p.c.
Alright it makes me long to come over. Joe wants to know if you remember walking over these stepping stones.
1912
722 Queen St. West is currently part of Terroni, a Toronto trattoria.
J. Beagles & Co., Ltd., was a British postcard printing company that existed from 1881 to 1939. They were best known for producing postcards depicting action scenes from plays, portraits of royals, or portraits of celebrities. This card was mailed in 1908!
Tune in next week for another batch of vintage images, and don’t forget to subscribe to receive the weekly digest! You can find the subscription form in the sidebar.
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