4304B. [Newboro - colour]

This unassuming looking card is actually a great find -- my first Canadian-produced pre-1904 real photo postcard (postmarked August 5, 1903 at Newboro, Ont.). It appears to be of a steamer on the Rideau Canal waterway. www.rideau-info.com/canal/maps.html

It appears that the writer has travelled (likely on the steamer depicted) from Merrickville through Smiths Falls (the "Falls" mentioned in the letter) to Newboro. The young man (Ben Moag) mentioned in the letter lived in Smiths Falls at the time of the 1901 Census of Canada, so that checks out nicely.

The letter reads:

"Newboro, Aug. 4/03 -- Dear Florence: Well Florence how are you and your patient? We are having a swell time. When going through Falls I called on Ben Moag HaHa. Do you know him? I met his cousin Miss Moag on boat. Bye Bye. Harold W."

The letter is addressed to Miss Florence MacDonald, Merrickville, Ont. (see separate image of back)

It may be a card that was sold or given to passengers on the ship.