Comic Postcards

"You auto have a happy Halloween. Oct. 31. Painting only copyrighted by International Art Pub. Co. 1908."

Yawning--that's what's contagious!

But still holding up the old holiday traditions.

A one-of-a-kind handpainted Christmas postcard made from some sort of art board. Postmarked in Chantilly, Virginia, Dec. 16, 1955. Sent to Lancaster, Pa., with a return address in York, Pa. I believe that the artist who painted this postcard (it's not a print) was H. Robert Hildebrand, who was known for his paintings of dogs and other animals. See the following blog postings: York County Native H. Robert Hildebrand Was a Prolific Pet Portraitist and More Cute Dogs with Famous Owners Painted by York Native H. R. Hildebrand . For another postcard painting by the same artist, see Noel, Bob Hildrebrand, 1956 .

"A Merry Xmas. He's looking for you." So watch out! You better not cry, and you better not pout! You know why.

A hand colored photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park . "Vœux Sincères. Dédé, Paris, 1200." This French hand-tinted real photo postcard combines images of a house, flowers, and a carload of babies to deliver a message of "Vœux Sincères" (sincere wishes) for the New Year.

"The Procrastinator's Hereafter. Take a friend's advice: Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today--Answer that letter." Sign: "Bottomless Pit Drop In." Pity the poor procrastinator who doesn't answer his letters! This pathetic fellow obviously failed to keep up with his correspondence while he was alive, and now in the "hereafter" the devil is looking over his shoulder to make sure he responds on time--and for all time! In order to avoid falling into the fiery "Bottomless Pit" below, the procrastinator is precariously perched on an endless roll of paper as he scribbles out his message. The last few lines he's written on the paper suggest that he's trying to explain away his current predicament: "...in my new home. Although everything is up to sample, I'm not stuck on the place but circumstances over which I have no control impel me to stick...." -------- Reverse of postcard: Postmarked: "Hartford, Conn., Aug. 25, 1912." Addressed to: "Mr. W. J. Ross, 131 River St., N. Adams, Mass." Handwritten message: "Dear Will: What do you think of this for a card? I don't hear from Flora very often. I'm working and not having much fun either--just existing. Not as tired as when I came here. Hastily, Cora."

"Here's a big hello from Jane Lewis at the Roosevelt Hotel, Pittsburgh."

"A Cat in a Knot in a Tree." Hmm, wasn't that the title of one of Dr. Seuss's early books?

"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.

Postcard postmarked Pittman, Ohio, Oct. 23, 190[7?].

"X-mas Greetings. N. America. Merry Christmas Series 403." Even Santa Claus noticed the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914! See also Panama Canal Drawing Book, 1914 :

A tall-tale postcard by Wisconsin photographer Alfred Stanley Johnson, Jr. The large fish on this card (at bottom center) appears to be the same one he used on another card (see below for the other postcard and a comparison of the fish ).

"How we do things at Jackson, Pa." These same onions appear in another tall-tale postcard entitled Onion Harvest (below), which was also published by Wisconsin photographer Alfred Stanley Johnson, Jr.