Page 12 - 1118

Page 12 The Antique Shoppe November, 2018
COLLECTORS ARE GRATEFUL

FOR THANKSGIVING DAY POSTCARDS

by Roy Nuhn

Postcards of Thanksgiving Day, a created the loveliest. The company, recalls different Thanksgiving Days Of the 17 sets, series number 1234
uniquely American holiday stretching a latecomer to the industry, of the last 300 years. of 24 cards, which included some
back to the earliest days of settlement produced postcards for a brief ten Another important distributor drawings by R.J. Wealthy, ranks as
in the New World, have long been years. Winsch began business at a was Raphael Tuck & Sons, of the most plentiful. It appeared on store
collectable. This is due to their themes time when postcards were losing London, England. Their New racks throughout the East, South and
of patriotism, history and comedy. their appeal with the general public York City branch office marketed Midwest every Thanksgiving season
Some are graced by the presence of and store shelves overflowed with at least 17 different sets between for many years after its first printing in
Uncle Sam, the American eagle, and cheap imports from overseas. 1906 and 1914. Like most of their 1910. Scenes of turkeys dominate - they
Old Glory. The most reoccurring topic, The copyright years for Winsch’s holiday greeting postcards, these are portrayed driving a car, standing in
though, is family scenes of the past. Thanksgiving postcards are 1910 were intended for over-the-counter an open pumpkin field, strolling down
Of all the holidays celebrated by through 1915, and then a lapse sales to the general public. People a lane, in parade formation, and being
postcards during the first two decades of time until the last date, 1920. bought them to mail and exchange chased by a man wielding a hatchet.
of the 20th century - and they include The Winsch set favored by most with friends and relatives. Retailers Some of the printings had gold borders.
tens of thousands of different artistic collectors came out in 1912. This continued to sell left-over Tuck Laubrie & Elkus (identified by the
designs, only those for Christmas were magnificent set of six postcards stock well into the 1920s. initials “L&E”) sold postcards for
more family oriented than most holidays, including
Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving. Practically their
Some Thanksgiving entire line was designed by
postcards are comical; the one artist, B.B. Griggs, whose
favored portrayal being “BBG” signature is familiar
children confronting or being to many collectors. Part of his
chased by an aggressive (or her) 400, or so, designs
turkey. A rare few contain included approximately seven
scenes of blacks, making sets of six cards each for, the
them desirable from two November holiday. More
collecting viewpoints. than any other artist, Griggs
Often confused with “pure” interjected a great comedic
Thanksgiving cards are touch into his or her often
those depicting Pilgrims and quirky Thanksgiving Day
early Massachusetts Bay postcards.
Colony and Plymouth scenes, Other publishers heavily
particularly those issued by involved in printing
A.S. Burbank Co. Thanksgiving Day postcards
There were even a few for pre-1920 America
advertising postcards issued were E. Nash, which was
for the day. One is a double- responsible for at least 27
fold card, drawn by famed different sets; P.F.B., a much-
etcher Bernhardt Wall, of admired German company
a child leading a turkey which exported three sets of
by a string. Inside could six into this country; Fred
be found advertising by Lounsbury, whose two sets
the International Tailoring were on sale in 1907 and
Company of New York and Chicago. 1908; and P. Sanders, with seven sets.
Another, a black-and-white photo Surprisingly, Uncle Sam can be
style, promoted the North Platte found on many postcards for the
Valley Co-Operative Poultry holiday. Our nation’s favorite folk hero
Marketing Association. Pictured is the is often shown sharing honors with, of
turkey destined for President Calvin all things, a turkey. Long recognized as
Coolidge’s dinner table. a distinctively American icon, Uncle
Signed artist postcards, eternally Sam was a natural for the cards of
popular regardless of subject matter, Thanksgiving since the holiday is so
form the pinnacle of this topic. Most patriotic and historical.
of the great artists of the day were Novelties abounded. These ranged
involved. Francis Brundage, famous from add-ons of turkey and Pilgrim
for her children, did Thanksgiving figures to mechanicals of turkeys with
designs for Gabriel & Sons. kaleidoscopic tails. There were also
Ellen Clapsaddle illustrated several postcards with real feathers attached to
sets for New York City’s International illustrations of turkeys.
Art Company. Her employer also sold Thanksgiving Day postcards
several Thanksgiving Day sets by are as diverse a category as can be
other artists. Top Left: A robust Thanksgiving greeting, publisher not identified, embossed. found anywhere. Collectors have
Of all publishers involved with Top Right: The airplane was less than a decade old when the artist portrayed always considered them to be a nice
marketing souvenir postcards for this turkey in bi-plane. No publisher identification. Above: International Art complementary to their Americana
this holiday, the firm of John Winsch Publ. Co. of New York City was one of the largest producers of postcards in the category, as well as a separate topic all
is generally considered to have country. Card depicted is from an unnumbered set. to itself.