Postcards: The Text Messages of Yesteryear?
Were our ancestors glued to the mail like we’re glued to our phones? Historical postcards suggest they may have been.
By Cathe Mizell-Nelson, editor
November 19, 2021
By Cathe Mizell-Nelson, editor
“Cellphones have completely changed the way we communicate!” It’s a true enough cliché—who actually calls anyone anymore? If you just have a quick message to deliver, you text. If you want to let a loved one know you’re thinking of them, you text. And if you need to squirm your way out of an awkward situation—you’d better believe, you’d better text.
But even before most households had telephones and cars, people did have a relatively cheap and easy way to keep in touch: the postcard. Then as now, postcards were often sent to friends far away—a “wish you were here” note from a scenic vacation spot. In the early 20th century, though, a postcard was also the simplest way to send the equivalent of a text message to a pal across town.
Not all of the postcards in the Historic New Orleans Collection’s holdings were actually sent through the mail, but many of the ones with handwritten messages on the back were postmarked “New Orleans” and delivered to addresses within Orleans Parish. “City” in the last line meant the card was bound for a New Orleans address.
Below, we’ve listed 17 of our favorite cards from HNOC’s holdings, each a glimpse into the everyday lives of people long gone, reviving for a moment a community of people linked together through stamps, cards, and ink.
Planning a Get-Together
Sometimes we reach out to a close friend for a fun outing . . .
"I’ll be down Wednesday afternoon to go shopping. L. B."
Miss Louise van Manan
815 Delachaise St.
City
Hammering out the Details
Sometimes we just need to take care of business.
Dear Ernestine—
Our class is to meet at 4 P.M. Wed., May 29, to decide what we are to do about the class gift.
(Meet at N.O.N.S.)
Leona Smith
Miss E. Mouledoux
2529 Annunciation St
New Orleans, La. HNOC, 1978.191.10
Checking in After the Meetup
In December 1907 Ed sent greetings 3.5 miles down Prytania Street to Ada, along with a promise to get together again the next year.
Dear Ada
Have some of the turkey yet? pie is all gone. We’ll [come down?] next year.
Ed
839 State St.
Mrs. Ada Burkhardt
1429 Prytania St.
City HNOC, 1982.135.17
The Safety Check-in
L.S. wanted to make sure Irma and her maman got home all right.
Dear Irma:—
I hope you and [maman?] reached home in safety. I went [direct?] home & left the Ks on Canal Street shopping—I am well but still cannot use my eye—Regards to your father—Love to you & your [maman?]—L.S.
1418 Josephine
Miss Irma [Isnard?]
#1219 St. Bernard
City HNOC, gift of Mrs. Bernard J. Manning, 1960.65.6
Thank You Note
Like a text message, a postcard was a convenient way to quickly acknowledge a small gift.
Dear Friend,
What a treat you did send me—the oranges arrived ok, & are perfectly delicious—Did your place produce them? Hope you are well & enjoying the pleasant change in the weather. Love, FMH
Miss Ida Leony
Venice La HNOC, gift of Boyd Cruise, 1959.2.83
Sending a Photo with Text
It's a snap now, but in 1907 you had to find someone with a camera, wait for the film to be developed, and get the photo printed on special postcard paper stock. but if you wanted to show off your new house, it was worth the effort.
Dear Cousin
Love to all
our Residence
From
Louise
Miss Louise Sabanaw
#430 Bermuda St
Algiers HNOC, 1981.350.55
Apology for Not Replying Promptly
You might suspect that Camille was making excuses:
Dear Viola
Postal Rec’d and appreciated it very much. Would have answered sooner but really dear I had forgotten your address and only found it out just now. Hoping to hear from you and soon. I remain
Camille M.
(Excuse writing)
Miss Viola Walker
#608 Hagan Ave.
New Orleans La
[At top edge, written in pencil:] if not delivered in 3 days return to 1027 Royal HNOC, 1977.117.39
Other cards addressed to Miss Viola show that she lived at 708 Hagan Avenue, not 608, so it's possible Camille really did forget her address—or she was a skillful liar!
Guilt Trip for Ghosting
Don't feel too bad for Viola. She didn't always respond when others reached out.
Say kid don’t forget to answer.
The note is unsigned, but City Park scenes seem to be a favorite choice for amorous writers. (Yes, we'll get to them soon!) This card, in its brevity, invites the modern reader's imagination to run wild.
Miss V. Walker
708 Hagan Ave.
City HNOC, 1977.117.32
A Hidden Message
A view of cemetery vaults sets a chillier mood.
Dear Friend
I have been to see you several times, and could never find you home, why don’t you come to see me.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. F. N. Longtire
A hint that the relationship will be dead if Mrs. Longtire’s “friend” doesn’t return the visit soon, perhaps?
Mrs. L[?]
1920 Tulane Ave.
City HNOC, gift of Boyd Cruise, 1958.85.383
Before Venmo and Cash App . . .
This cheery assembly of kids was perhaps supposed to take the edge off the message on the other side:
Please make returns for basketball tickets
[Lu? Ldi?] Benedetto
In other words, pay up already.
Miss Ca[?] Dodge
4015 Daneel St.
City HNOC, 1981.350.250
Health Crisis
We sometimes have to impart urgent, unpleasant news. The writer's rush left us with an illegible signature, unfortunately.
Mama has had a slight stroke of paralysis. Come down and see me when you can.
Yours in haste
[name illegible]
Miss Cecile Carriere
1619 So. Rampart St.
City HNOC, 1981.350.83
Lovers—or Would-be Lovers?
Tiny writing on the front, no other message on the back—just the recipient’s address. A 1907 booty call?
Will be down tonight about 7.45 P.M Bob
What do you suppose Bob and Bertha got up to after 7:45 that evening?
Miss Bertha Charpio
#1542 Painters St.
City HNOC, 1981.350.316
A Romantic Rivalry
Another watery City Park view, another would-be Romeo. The unlucky Mr. Evans seems to have a rival when it comes to Alice’s heart.
[Front, very small handwriting]
Doesn’t this look familiar? Looks good to me. M. E. Evans
[Back]
Looks like you would write a fellow once in a while. I don’t know when the picnic will be, but I will let you know, so you can come and stay with me while you are here. Say[,] he went home yesterday. Don’t cry too much over it, he’ll come back someday. M. E.
Abita Springs, La.
Alice’s Other Suitor
Ah, City Park once more. Well, whaddaya know? A note from the competition.
Dear Alice:—Hope to see you up to the house one of these days I guess you will have to count blots as kisses
Ans. soon.
Regards to all,
I remain
as ever
Jesse
Miss Alice Crisler
5330 Dauphine
Local HNOC, gift of Mr. Boyd Cruise, 1958.85.326
The Could-You-Set-Us-Up Request
Breathless Bob entreats his sister for help courting Hilda:
Invite Hilda to go to the French Opera with you Sunday matinee (Tell her to answer soon) Tell her what times the opera starts and I will go and get her at any time she wishes if she so desires. Your brother Bob.
Miss Marcelle Landry
1137 N. Broad
New Orleans, Louisiana HNOC, 1981.350.75
Passing the Buck(s)
E. H., apparently short on cash, wisely decides to allow her more knowledgeable mother to buy shoes for her.
My dear mama, I received your letter and last night and were [we’re?] very glad to receive the [money?] sorry to know you were so worried. I will wait until you send me some shoes because you know more about strong shoes than me.
You must not worry so much because you will make yourself sick.
Come to see us just as soon as you can. Love and kisses to you and Brother.
E. H.
Mrs. C. E. Hartz
153 S. Rampart St.
New Orleans, La. HNOC, gift of Charles L. Mackie, 1981.317
The “Novel”
Then there’s the writer who professes surprise or ignorance in response to someone else’s message, chucks in a red herring (or hat) to throw the recipient off the trail, and goes on at greater length than necessary. Mm-hmm . . . a likely story.
Darling Irma, I just can’t get over that you saw me yesterday and I didn’t see you. I was indeed very sorry. You are always scolding me but I am going to give you one red hat for the foolish thing you are doing. With love and kisses and [G. I.?] sends you a kiss. Mercedes I. Leguin
Miss Irma Jaubert
#543 St. Ann St.
City HNOC, 1973.8.18
Miss E. Mouledoux
2529 Annunciation St
New Orleans, La. HNOC, 1978.191.10
Miss E. Mouledoux
2529 Annunciation St
New Orleans, La. HNOC, 1978.191.10
Mrs. Ada Burkhardt
1429 Prytania St.
City HNOC, 1982.135.17
Miss Irma [Isnard?]
#1219 St. Bernard
City HNOC, gift of Mrs. Bernard J. Manning, 1960.65.6
Miss Ida Leony
Venice La HNOC, gift of Boyd Cruise, 1959.2.83
Miss Louise Sabanaw
#430 Bermuda St
Algiers HNOC, 1981.350.55
Miss Louise Sabanaw
#430 Bermuda St
Algiers HNOC, 1981.350.55
Miss Viola Walker
#608 Hagan Ave.
New Orleans La
[At top edge, written in pencil:] if not delivered in 3 days return to 1027 Royal HNOC, 1977.117.39
Miss V. Walker
708 Hagan Ave.
City HNOC, 1977.117.32
Mrs. L[?]
1920 Tulane Ave.
City HNOC, gift of Boyd Cruise, 1958.85.383
Miss Ca[?] Dodge
4015 Daneel St.
City HNOC, 1981.350.250
Miss Cecile Carriere
1619 So. Rampart St.
City HNOC, 1981.350.83
Miss Bertha Charpio
#1542 Painters St.
City HNOC, 1981.350.316
Miss Bertha Charpio
#1542 Painters St.
City HNOC, 1981.350.316
Miss Alice Crisler
5330 Dauphine
Local HNOC, gift of Mr. Boyd Cruise, 1958.85.326
Miss Marcelle Landry
1137 N. Broad
New Orleans, Louisiana HNOC, 1981.350.75
Mrs. C. E. Hartz
153 S. Rampart St.
New Orleans, La. HNOC, gift of Charles L. Mackie, 1981.317
Miss Irma Jaubert
#543 St. Ann St.
City HNOC, 1973.8.18
Miss Irma Jaubert
#543 St. Ann St.
City HNOC, 1973.8.18
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