Comic Postcards

"How we do things at Ephrata, Pa." Wisconsin photographer Alfred Stanley Johnson, Jr., reused these same onions in another tall-tale postcard that he entitled Onions (below).

"Independent Order of Hot Air Dispensers Membership Card. Local No. 463 - Card No. This certifies that [H. H. Melhorn?], Glen Rock, Pa., is a member in good standing of the Hot Air Dispensers, and is fully qualified to supply hot air on any and all occasions. James Gasbag, president. Wm. Buttonholer, sec'y."

Fish is a brain food, Which is said to never fail. I therefore recommend That you should eat a whale.

"Am on a flying trip. Will see you soon, G.S."

"You know how much I love you, but I just cantaloupe [can't elope] with you." See also You Had Better Ask Papa :

Ouch!

Adams Express Company is now a "publicly traded diversified equity fund," as Wikipedia puts it, but in the early part of the twentieth century it was still a shipping company, like UPS and FedEx are today. Back then, you could use this postcard to poetically alert a friend or relative to the imminent delivery of a Christmas present by the Adams Express Company. Adams Express Company Today I am sending by Adams Express A Christmas package to your address; And furthermore I wish to say, Don't open until Christmas day.

"We Are Owl [All] Wishing You a Merry Christmas." A leather postcard published circa 1905-1910 by W. S. Heal, whose "W.S.H" monogram appears in the lower left-hand corner of the card. There isn't any message, address, or other information on the back.

An Erie Railroad car appears on the front of this exaggeration postcard, and the description on the back of the card (see below) mentions the railroad company twice. It seems likely that the Erie Railroad sponsored the card, but there's no indication of a publisher's name on the other side. Addressed to: Traffic Dept., Kalamazoo Tank and Silo Co., Kalamazoo, Mich. Postmarked: Detroit, Mich., Aug. 2, 1913. Printed on the back: Incandescent Lamps. The present yearly production of incandescent lamps in this country amounts to about 114,000,000--ranging from ¼ to 500 candle power. The largest factory is located in Harrison, N.J. (on the Erie Railroad); other important important points of manufacture are: New York City, Chicago, Cleveland, Youngstown, O., and Warren, O. (all of which are located on the Erie Railroad). A carload shipment of incandescent lamps contains 40,000 lamps of ordinary size--more than three times the number required to equip a modern skyscraper office building accommodating 7500 people.

"5/1/1906. Come and join me in a bath. Bathing scene, Heinz Pier, Atlantic City, U.S.A. Seashore home of the 57 varieties." Addressed on the back to "Miss Sue I. Barger, 1307 Flora St., Phila., Pa." This amusing advertising postcard published by the H. J. Heinz Company features the Heinz Pier in the background and includes the food processing company's pickle logo and 57 Varieties slogan. The pier was destroyed by a hurricane in 1944. For another Heinz card from the early twentieth century, see H. J. Heinz Company, Main Plant and General Offices, Pittsburgh, Pa. :

"How We Do Things at Fearnot , Pa. Apples." Postmarked Valley View, Pa., Oct. 11, 1912, and addressed to Clarence Wolfgang, Valley View, Pa. Handwritten message: "Dear Friend, I wish you good luck for every day. I came home safe. Hoping to hear from you soon. Minnie." A tall-tale postcard by Wisconsin photographer Alfred Stanley Johnson, Jr. For a similar postcard with an automobile and oversized eggs and potatoes, see The Modern Farmer :

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.

"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.

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.

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.