In the early 1900s, notes of holiday greeting were often sent as postcards. These mass-produced postcards — many with short verses — were quick to write and inexpensive, and quickly became extremely popular.
Here’s a look back — a hundred years and more — at some pretty vintage Thanksgiving postcards of yore.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving
May rich blessings – plenty, peace and prosperity – be yours this Thanksgiving Day.
Give Thanks
For sweet hopes born, for sorrows dead. For true songs sung, for fond words said. For the ready cup, for the daily bread.
Rejoice
When the harvest time riches strew our way, let us all rejoice on Thanksgiving day (c1914)
Thanksgiving Day
Wishing you a Thanksgiving harvest of good luck and happiness
A glad Thanksgiving
Thankful to be needed, thankful to be here. Many be your reasons for thankfulness this year.
A Happy Thanksgiving
Friendly folk, a bounteous board. Contentment deep and true. May this Thanksgiving day afford these blessings three for you.
Sunshine around each turkey (c1897)
Dull clouds may overcast the sun, the day be dark and murky. But you will find, if not too blind, sunshine around each turkey.
Hearty Thanksgiving greeting (early 1900s)
Ah, on Thanksgiving Day, when from East and from West, from North and from South, come the pilgrim and guest. What moistens the lip and what brightens the eye. What calls back the past like the rich pumpkin pie. – J G Whittier
Thanksgiving Day Greetings
I welcome this good season of mellot fruitfulness. As just one more occasion to wish you happiness.
Thanksgiving greetings
While we indulge in the prosperity and pleasures of the present, let us have high hopes for the future.
Thanksgiving greetings
May you have abundant reason to be thankful at this season.
Thanksgiving hand of industry (c1913)
In fertile lands, wheveer busy bee abides, the sure and faithful hand of industry provides.
All antique postcard images courtesy of the New York Public Library