April Fools and Fish

"April Fool. August Hutaf. Copyright 1908 P.C.K. "

"Don't be in a hurry to run home if someone tells you your house is on fire, it is only the work of an April Fool!"

"Don't walk around town placated as this chap is, remember it's April Fool! Kick me. Copyright 1908 P.C.K. August Hutaf."

"Dear Sir, In recognition of your valuable and efficient services, we have this day doubled your salary and reduced your working time two hours. You will also find enclosed several shares in the business which we take pleasure in presenting you. Yours truly, The Boss. April 1st." Postmarked April 1, 1910.

"Dear Sir, I have sent you by express, prepaid, several sample boxes of my 15, 10, and 25 cent cigars. You will also find matches and a cutter in the package. Should they please you, just drop us a postal and we will send you more samples. Your obliging servant, A. Stogie, Cigar Maker. April 1st"

For similar April Fools' Day postcards, see Dear Sir, We Have This Day Doubled Your Salary, The Boss and Dear Sir, I Have Sent You Several Boxes of Cigars . April 1st Dear Sir, Pardon this intrusion, but as you seemed to scared to speak, or write, I took the liberty. Before proceeding farther I must tell you that I have a peculiar affliction. After drinking a few quarts of champagne, I sing, dance, and spout poetry. As my temperament is to love and be loved, I cannot resist the impulse, and don't! Understand, I am a perfect lady always, one who loves her home, but " Oh you kid ." So just press the button, and I will do the rest. Yours bubbling over with love. Mazie D.

"Good monring! They can't April-Fool us, eh? Kick me. Bernhardt Wall. Copyright 1909 The Ullman Mfg. Co. N.Y."

"Nobody can April-Fool me. I am a fool. Bernhardt Wall. Copyright 1909 The Ullman Mfg. Co. N.Y." Printed on the other side of this postcard: "American Post Card. 'April Fool' Series No. 156. Subject No. 2490." This foolish fellow didn't fall victim to the Brick in a Hat trick, but he is wearing a "I am a fool" sign. For a similar April Fools' Day postcard, see They Can't April-Fool Us, Eh?

Bonheur d'Avril Confident des coeurs amoureux Ce beau poisson porte mes voeux. Rough translation from Google: Happiness of April Confident of loving hearts This beautiful fish carries my wishes.

1er Avril. Tout mon Coeur. Devinez-qui? Google translation: April 1st. All my heart. Guess who? A French April Fools' Day postcard.

"1er Avril. L'amitié vous l'envoie." A hand-tinted French real photo postcard for the first day in April.

"1er Avril" (April 1st.). A French real photo postcard for April Fools' Day, called poissons d'avril (April fish) in France. This hand-tinted card was postmarked on March 31, 1910.

1er Avril Le port est payé d'un baiser Vous n'allez les refuser. Possibly translated as: April 1st The shipping is paid with a kiss You will not refuse it. A French real photo April Fools' Day postcard dated 1926.

A French April Fools' Day real photo postcard. As Wikipedia's April Fools' Day article explains, "In Italy, France, and Belgium, children and adults traditionally tack paper fishes on each other's back as a trick and shout 'April fish!' in their local languages ( pesce d'aprile! , poisson d'avril! , and aprilvis! in Italian, French, and Dutch, respectively). Such fish feature prominently on many French late 19th to early 20th century April Fools' Day postcards."

"Je vous l'offre de bout cœur." Translated as: "I offer you this with all my heart." [Thanks to John FitzGerald for the translation.] A French real photo April Fools' Day postcard from 1912.

Devinez qui? Devinez quoi? Je pense a vous; pense à moi! Avec ce poisson et ces fleurs Recevez mes vœux de Bonheur. Google translation: Guess who? Guess what? I think of you; think of me! With this fish and the flowers Receive my wishes for happiness. A French real photo April Fools' Day postcard, circa 1900s or 1910s.

Poissons d'avril (April fish). A French real photo postcard for April Fools' Day, called poissons d'avril (April fish) in France. This hand-tinted card was postmarked on March 30, 1908.

"1er Avril. Souvenir d'une amie." Handwritten on the back: "Devinez qui vous aime." "April 1st. Remembering a friend." Handwritten: "Guess who loves you." A French hand-tinted real photo postcard commemorating the initial day in the month of April.