HAPPY DREAMS of long ago

Once they learned HOW, they needed to be reminded of the possible consequences. I believe this fellow is now wondering, "HOW did this happen?"

I gave up trying to decipher the message. Something about getting home safe and wish the recipient had been there.

No information about maker of the card. Mailed on November 29, 1909 at 8 PM.

Teach me HOW!

This is just to let you know the reason you're here today is because long ago some people got together and taught each other HOW. Yes, granny and grandpa found out HOW. Great-granny and Great-grandpa knew HOW.

Today everything is in your face and people are far too blunt. There's never a question about someone's intentions and isn't that a shame. Far more suggestive lines can be found at the check-out stand on the front of a magazine, but somehow seeing these old cards with these suggestive lines seems so very strange. And then we add the message on the back...

say wes, what time
did you get home?
I han’t seen that
card yet, what is the
matter, did I make you sick? Ha. Ha.
do you think
you could teach me how? Ha. Ha.
well write,
let me know
if it will
make any difference
when I come (???)
them (???) are you
going to the fair?
ans soon
Lillian Howard
Lestershine, N.Y.
Box 84 R.8.2.

I think this about says it all, nudge nudge, wink wink.

Okay, the fact that the room they're in doesn't actually exist, nor the chair/table /window /paintings, makes this even stranger. I'm thinking Toonville with Roger Rabbit.

Do it NOW!

Oh my but I'm afraid to say anything with this one. My mind races.

Apparently it also left the person who purchased this vintage postcard so long ago speechless too.

MÉNAGE a...

These old "romance" cards are often odd. Our sensibilities and those from 100 years ago do not mesh. Often they are suggestive in a manner you wouldn't expect with an undercurrent of coyness. Today the same message would be done suggestive and rude. But what makes some of them worthwhile are the messages on the back that have nothing to do with the image on the front. The sender often completely avoids the suggestive image and instead writes a message as if they were sending a photo of a lovely tree. It's these two worlds colliding that make them interesting. Okay, that's often true of post card messages, but these just seem even stranger.

Oh you TAFFY KID you!

These old romance post cards are often pretty funny. Catch phrases from long ago that now make no sense at all. But this one is fun to look at to see the little storefront candy store.

Click on the image to see it larger.

I believe this was printed by Taylor, Platt & Co. The following information is from the Metropolitan Postcard Club of New York City:

Taylor, Platt & Co. (1906-1916)
1161 Broadway, New York, NY

Published a wide variety of postcard types in series from national views, greetings. and artist signed to cards of Blacks and novelties. Their cards were produced in sepia and tinted halftone.

STUNG by a dog...HUH?

Okay, I'm clearly not getting this one.

These old "romance" cards from the first part of the 20th century can be purely odd when looking at them over 100 years later. Some are suggestive. Some are coy. Some make no sense at all. I give you the following example.

The guy looks like he's about to thumb his nose to the dog with a "Naa naa, you can't reach me!"

I'm betting if this dog wanted to it could be over the fence and on that guy lickity split.

As to this message, I think it's safe to say it will never be decoded. It reminds me of one of those spy phrases you're supposed to say when you meet another spy. "Psssst. In the shade of the old walnut tree. Hurrah." Of course then the microdot is exchanged and everything goes along fine and dandy.

It's Spring and A YOUNG MAN'S FANCY TURNS TO...

...apparently blackmail.

Yes, love is in the air and so are geeks with cameras taking photos of your every move. This is a warning to all of those people having out of marriage trysts through online dating. Someone is bound to be watching...and scheming.

This card, with the creepy brother in the bushes, was published by Bamforth & Co. in 1910. To see other cards by them and read a bit of history see my other post Dear Auntie /Dear Cousin...FROM YOUR BAWDY NIECE / COUSIN.

I thought in honor of the royal takeover of the tv this week, and the finale today, that a card of a young couple being watched by paparazzi seemed apropos.

And it might just be me, but I feel like the whole thing looks a bit Monty Python. Surely the woman is actually Graham Chapman.