Government Agent cards

Another in the "Government Agent" series, this one happily has a postmark: Oxford, May 9, 1906. Very often these cards weren't actually mailed. The card is addressed to Miss A. A. Pasten, Carlingford, Sidcup and has the message: "Thank you so much for your kind invite. Shan't be able to accept now as I am off to Canada for a 3 months trip the end of the month - Else I had hoped to descend upon you for a night or two! Love from H.G.L."

One of the less interesting looking "Government Agent" cards, showing the successful farm of Benjamin Holden at Indian Head, circa 1905. The card is unused.

A fairly rare example of a Government Agent card that was actually used. This one reads "Dear A - coming on Friday 2.10 Train from Exeter. I shall Book to Bainpark an[d] change at Basingstoke don't you think that best. Took me [?]" The addressee is Mr. Ellis, 49 Trevince Rd, Cottenham Park, W. Wimbledon. The postmark is Exeter, December 19, 1905.

Back of a typical unused Government Agent card. Notice the large number of countries named in the stamp box at this point, when more and more were accepting international delivery of postcards with messages at a cheap rate. The stamp box also assumes mailing in Canada, which is somewhat interesting as many of the cards were distributed in England (three of the four mailed cards that I have were mailed in England, as opposed to just one in Canada).

A lively and orderly looking farm at Glencross (misspelled on the card), a post office that closed in 1909 but which is still on maps on 25W-8N about four miles southwest of the City of Winkler, Manitoba.

I believe there are two scenes of this farm in the Government Agent series. Deleau is on Highway 2, about 15 miles west of Souris.

Winnipeg Tribune, July 24, 1905, p. 12 -- a big find here as we see the Government Agent cards being described. This gives us a rough date for their creation (which is about right given the postmarks on the series, which tend to be late 1905 and into 1906). Click on the Government Agent Cards 'album' at right to see some of the cards in this set.

Unused "Government Agent" card.

Government Agent card, unused. Makes 20 that I now have.