Sepia Saturday challenges bloggers to share family history through old photographs.
In the Sepia Saturday march through the alphabet, we are at the letter “C.” I have been going through the STUFF found in my grandparents’attic. Among the many bundles of letters that my mother saved from her high school and college years are these itty bitty cards.
Cards sent to my mother from 1945-1950
The largest cards were 4.5”x3.5” and 4” square.
The largest cards
The smallest were 3.5”x2.25”.
3 1/2" x 2 1/4"
Most of these tiny cards are invitations
To a birthday party
To join the Spanish Club in high school
To the Junior-Senior prom
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| 4" x 3 1/8" |
To attend a party her first year at Madison College (now James Madison University – GO DUKES!)
Rumpus Room - now there's a word
you don't hear much anymore!
But the PRETTY ones are the shower invitations.
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| 3 1/4" square |
Betsy was popular. She was showered twice!
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| 3 3/4" x 2 3/4" |
4 1/2" x 3 1/2"
4 1/4" x 3"
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| 3 3/4" x 2 5/8" Shower for Cookie Mutter - must have been for her first son Steve |
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| 3 1/2" square |
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My favorite one is actually this envelope that my mother used to blot her lipstick. Now there's a keepsake!
In November 1945, all it took to mail such a small invitation was a 1 ½ cent stamp. But in 1948, that same size card required a 3-cent stamp. I wonder if such small envelopes are even allowed to go through the mail these days.
“C” what else there is to “C” at Sepia Saturday.
© 2021, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.
These are so interesting! I'm so glad that you shared them.
ReplyDeleteI just love vintage cards like these! So fun to look at.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great take on the "C" theme! And how wonderful to have all those little invitational cards. Those are real antiques and personal to boot! :)
ReplyDeleteWell done! I can understand the sentimental quality in those cards that your mom saved. (Or maybe a better phrase would be: "not throw away.") But I'm impressed that the more ephemeral wrappers to the ephemera, i.e. the envelopes, were saved too. I confess to saving an occasional letter or card in my lifetime, (though not recently) but never an envelope. That's takes the resolute dedication of a professional hoarder! :—}
ReplyDeleteI love this! I have lots of cards, too which I need to spend some time going through. But first I need to complete transcribing letters, letters, and more letters.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely set of cards! The stamps are fun, too. I have a similar set and I, too, was amazed at the many shapes and sizes. Now, if you send anything out of the ordinary, the charge extra.https://mollyscanopy.com/2021/04/undaunted-seventh-blogiversary-atozchallenge/
ReplyDeleteThat is fascinating. I remember as a kid all birthday party invitations were written and of course you replied in the same way. We always wrote thank you cards for presents, parties, dinners erc. What a pity we don't use this charming way of communicating much now. I guess texting is the modern equivalent.
ReplyDelete