2nd Annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Postcards

The Advent calendar is used to count down the days of Advent (the period of preparation for the celebration of the nativity of Jesus) in anticipation of Christmas.  Its use was a practice started by German Lutherans as early as the beginning of the 19^th century.

As a German Lutheran, I would like to continue this practice.  Starting December 1st I will be activating a link each day, thru December 25th, on the below advent calendar of Santa Claus.  When you click on the link, you will be taken to an antique or vintage Christmas postcard I have listed in my store, Remember When Vintage Postcards.  Purchase is nice, but not required.  I only ask that you enjoy each Christmas postcard as it is revealed.  (intro courtesy of my ‘2009 advent calendar blog post)

Dec. 01

Dec. 02

Dec. 03	Dec. 04
Dec. 05	Dec. 06	Dec. 07
	Dec. 08	Dec. 09
		Dec. 10	Dec. 11	Dec. 12
		Dec. 13	Dec. 14	Dec. 15
		Dec. 16	Dec. 17	Dec. 18

OOOOOO	OOOOO	OOOOO	OOOOO	OOOOOO
OOOOOO	OOOOO	OOOOO	OOOOO	OOOOOO

	XXXXXXX	Dec. 19		Dec. 20	XXXXXXX
	XXXXXXX		Dec. 21		XXXXXXX
	XXXXXXX	Dec. 22	Dec. 23	Dec. 24	XXXXXXX
	XXXXXXX	XXXXXXX	Dec. 25	XXXXXXX	XXXXXXX
		XXXXXXX	XXXXXXX	XXXXXXX
		XXXXXXX	XXXXXXX	XXXXXXX
			XXXXXXX

Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays) from Remember When Vintage Postcards!

If you want to return to this Advent Calendar to reveal the antique or vintage postcards behind the remaining days counting down to Christmas, please bookmark this blog post.

** Be sure to stop by the blog, The Best Hearts Are Crunchy, to view the many postcards shared on Postcard Friendship Friday.

I also wouldn’t mind your sharing this blog post with friends and family; especially those interested in antiques and collectibles (hint).  If you repost/mention it on your blog or other social bookmarking platform, please remember to give me credit as all images/text are copyrighted.

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Are You Dead Or Alive Postcard Message

I found this antique postcard message funny as it’s a question I’ve asked a few of my immediate relatives a time or two over the years (and them of me).

German made antique Christmas postcard of the nativity postmarked 1910

“Dear Emma
are you dead or alive I would like to hear from you or see you if you are alive how are all the folks come down when you can
Alice McEwans”

It’s a safe bet Alice’s English teachers would have a field day with this message.

The above message was rather blunt.  Apparently, this approach was necessary in order to get Emma’s attention.  It can therefore be assumed it’s been awhile since Alice’s heard from Emma.

Also…

If Emma is dead, I somehow don’t think Alice would like to experience a paranormal event by hearing from Emma.  I also don’t believe Alice would like Emma to “come down when you can”.  I certainly wouldn’t like a visit from a ghost.  Would you?

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Surprise, It’s A Santa-In-The-Box Postcard

It’s again Postcard Friendship Fridays at The French Factrice blog.  This is an event, hosted by Marie, where postcard collectors share an example of what they feel is “postcard perfect”.  It’s a great way to show why this hobby is so fun.  This week, I’m sharing two postcards featuring the children’s toy, the Jack-In-The-Box.

Christmas postcard of girl enjoying a toy Santa-In-The-Box from series 288

 

Box Toy’s Origins

 

The first wind-up toys were made in Grecian times.  The art of making this type mechanical toy was revived in the 1400’s by watch and clock makers, with versions based on clocks which had a bird “popping” out.

  

  

 Another theory regarding this wind-up toy’s origins has it evolving from captured runaway black slaves, or “Jacks”, put in wooden boxes.  Children playing around these boxes, would poke sharpened wooden sticks though the knotholes.  The Jack inside would yelp, often busting through the box’s top.  If this theory were true, it makes me wonder how many parents would have let their children play with such a toy had they known it was based on mistreatment of a human being.

Christmas postcard published by Davidson Bros. no. 761-4

  

** Remember to hop on over to Marie’s and check out all the postcard enthusiasts sharing this week. 

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My Favorite Vintage Postcard Images

It has occured to me that many of my posts on antique and vintage postcards, while informative, have been a little too factual and “dry”.  This resulted in a slight detour from why I personally collect postcards – more the enjoyment of the postcard images themselves than the details and history behind them.  Below you will find a few of the many postcards I’ve sold in my web store, whose images I’ve found very beautiful.  Enjoy! 

I almost kept this one.

I find all BW Angel Postcards soooo darling.

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Butt Flap Pajama Postcards

Every postcard collector has a topical interest that spurs their interest in this great hobby.  I’ve already posted about one of my favorites, Santa Claus.  I’d now like to post about another, children in footed pajamas (or pyjamas- originally from the Persian word “payjama” meaning leg garment).

The Butt Flap

I noticed many of the postcards in my collection showed flaps in back.  According to the blanket sleeper section on Wikipedia, the flap in back was called the drop seat, trap door, or butt flap.  This flap allowed the wearer to use the toilet without removing the sleeper, and was traditionally closed with buttons.  OK, then how does the wearer open the flap, then re-button when done if it’s in back?  MOMMY!! 

In some US states, laws were passed preventing zippers or buttons in back as it was considered abusive (the wearer being forced to ask for assistance when using the bathroom).  This puzzled me.  The footed pajama was worn mainly by infants (who didn’t know how to dress/undress themselves and used a diaper), and toddlers (who probably didn’t know how to dress/undress themselves, thus needing to ask for assistance any place).  Some laws go just a teeny bit too far.

Another Footed Pajama Feature

The elastic back waist was a band around the rear half of the waist in larger sleepers designed to give a better fit.  In many of the postcards in my collection, this is shown as a buttoned strip of cloth.

No matter what the specific pajama feature is, the children wearing footed pajamas on antique and vintage postcards are still darling.

Note:  Marie over at The French Factrice blog is hosting Postcard Friendship Fridays.  Hop on over to Marie’s and check out all the postcard enthusiasts sharing this week. 

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Sow The Wheat – In Dec?

Okla.  Dec 27th  1922

“All are well here.  having nice weather.  Got home all right.  found everything all right but the wheat.  had to sow it over.  To Emma and ?     Lew”

When I first read this vintage postcard message, I thought “that’s odd, why would Lew sow (plant) wheat in December?”  OK farmers, go ahead and groan.  So, I looked up the planting and harvest time for wheat.  I found out winter wheat (Oklahoma’s number one crop) is planted in September and harvested in summer.

Oklahoma farmers actually want complete snow cover as it benefits wheat by being warmer underneath the snow than on top.  This might explain why Lew had to “sow it over”.  He might not have had the protective snow cover and had to replant as a result.  I’m not a farmer, so there could be other explanations.  After all, he did say the weather was nice.  I still think it’s odd to plant in December as I’m from WI where NOONE farms in winter.

A Bit of Ephemera Trivia: 

It takes less than ten seconds for a combine to harvest enough wheat for 70 loaves of bread. And one acre will produce enough wheat for 2 thousand five hundred loaves.     (courtesy of America’s Heartland)

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The Postcard’s Pudding Is on Fire!

1909 Antique Christmas Postcard published by B.W., no. 370

 The mother on this antique postcard is making the traditional dessert served on Christmas Day, Christmas Pudding or Plum Pudding.  It is a dark, steamed pudding, with sweet spices, dried fruit and nuts, and usually made with suet that originated in England.  This pudding is definitely not for those on a diet. 

History of Christmas Pudding 

Christmas Pudding can be traced back to the 1420s.  Back then, it was not a confection or dessert, but a way to preserve meat (dried fruits acted as the preservative).  I wonder how long this preservation method lasted.  

The ancestor of the modern pudding was the pottage, a meat and vegetable concoction.  During Queen Elizabeth 1’s reign, plums were added (a popular ingredient).  As the sweet content of the Plum Pottage increased, it became increasingly known as Plum Pudding.  Around the 1830’s, it became more and more linked with Christmas. 

Christmas Pudding Traditions 

Traditionally, Plum Puddings were made four to five weeks prior to Christmas (usually the last Sunday before Advent) as they needed to age in the traditional pudding cloth.  The household members (at least the children, see pictured antique postcard) took turns making a wish while stirring the concoction.  This is why the day became known as Stir-up Sunday. 

Tokens (initially a silver coin) were included in the pudding.  Whomever’s serving included it, kept the token. 

The Christmas Pudding is ceremoniously brought to the table after being doused in brandy and flamed.  It was greeted with applause. 

This Week’s Bit of Ephemera Trivia: 

The Plum Pudding was originally eaten at the Harvest Festival, not Christmas. 

Note:  Marie over at The French Factrice blog is hosting Postcard Friendship Fridays.  Hop on over to Marie’s and check out all the postcard enthusiasts sharing this week. 

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Sip of History With Lion Coffee

I was looking thru my Victorian trade cards for one with Christmas features, and found this trade card by Lion Coffee.  In researching Lion Coffee, I found out they were part of the first great advertising campaign in history.  Guess what?  They’re still around thanks to a specialty coffee company in Hawaii.

Lion Coffee’s Pioneering Start

L.B. Shattucck and partner C.C. Warren started Lion Coffee (which also ground spices), in 1864 from a factory in Toledo, OH.  By the 1870’s, they prospered in part due to advertising that boasted 8,000 lbs. of coffee roasted every day.  This advertising also mentioned Lion Coffee was sold in 1lb papers; a pioneering effort back then to establish a brand name packaged coffee. 

In the 1870’s, La Monte C. Bidwell joins the company, now called Warren & Bidwell, as partner and L.B. Shattucck is heard of no more.

Woolson Spice Co. Buys Up Struggling Coffee Company

After returning from the Civil War and working on the railroad, Alvin M. Woolson moved to Toledo, OH where he clerked in a country store.  After a year, he set up shop for himself in Wauseon, OH with capital of $125.  He moved back to Toledo after marrying in 1875, where he opened a grocery store.

Alvin M. Woolson snapped up the financially struggling Warren & Bidwell at an auction.  So in 1882, the Woolson Spice Company was born with $30,000 and significant support from Toledo’s business community.  It took 10 years to realize a profit.  Over the next five years, millions were realized.

Lion Coffee Today

In 1897, Woolson retired.  Rights to the Woolson Company assets were bought by Delano West Ltd, a Hawaiian company, in 1980.  The coffee is now Kona rather than Rio based.  And yes, premiums are still offered. 

More Victorian trade cards with great graphics can be found in my store, Remember When Vintage Postcards.

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Letters to Santa Claus

1906 H.I. Robbins Santa Claus Postcard Published by The Metropolitan News Co.

Weekly Ephemera Trivia:

Approximately 500,000 letters to Santa addressed “Santa, North Pole” are sent to the North Pole Post Office branch on Candy Cane Lane every year.  

What Happens to All Those Letters?

They are taken to the North Pole Middle School, where the students try to answer as many letters as they can.  Sounds like a great way to teach teenagers about community and that kindness towards others has priceless benefits (warmth and happiness).

I hope they have a lot of students at that school to answer all those letters.

** Don’t forget to check out my Postcard Advent Calendar where I will be activating a link to a different Christmas postcard each day thru December 25th.

Note: Marie over at The French Factrice blog is hosting Postcard Friendship Fridays.  Hop on over to Marie’s and check out all the postcard enthusiasts sharing this week.

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Why Does Santa Fill Stockings?

1915 Santa Claus Postcard with Gel Finish & Gold Trim

The time of year where we prepare for and follow Christmas traditions has arrived.  Ever wonder wonder what’s behind these traditions (i.e. like the hanging stockings as pictured in this vintage christmas postcard of Santa Claus)?

Christmas Stocking Legend

A poor father was in despair as he could not afford the dowries needed for his three daughters to marry.  One night the daughters washed out their stockings and hung them over the fireplace to dry.

St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th century bishop, heard of the father’s despair and decided to pay a visit.  Late at night, riding his white horse (this must be a Dutch version, see Santa Claus Rides in Dandy Motorboat ) St. Nicholas stopped by their house.

Seeing the stockings through the window, St. Nicholas climbed on the roof and tossed three full bags of gold coins down the chimney.  The bags fell into the hanging stockings.  His unselfish gift made it possible for all three daughters to marry.

 My Christmas Stocking Tradition

When I was growing up, my sisters and I hung our stockings (knitted in green and red with our names at top) on the back of the bookcase facing the kitchen.  We didn’t have a fireplace.  Every year, we would get either an orange or apple, nuts, and Christmas taffy.  I still hang a stocking.  My adult daughter fills it (I fill hers).  Most years, an apple or orange finds it way into both our stockings.

The above vintage christmas postcard of Santa Claus is from my personal collection.  I found it cute that Santa was sooo little in comparison to the hanging stocking.  More Santa Claus and christmas postcards, with festive holiday graphics, can be found in my store.

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