Michael Bushnell
Northeast News

“Here’s to a happy New Year! A year wise in its plans, persistant in its efforts, fortunate in its opportunities and prolific in good results,” reads this postcard sent Dec. 30, 1913, to Miss Harriett Alexander, 218 W. 16th St., New York City. The message on the back reads, “How kind of you to write us. We often think of you and the good work you are doing and thank God for you. May the coming year bring you many rare joys in Christian service. The Ferralls in Buffalo.”

In the early years of the 20th century, postcards were a primary mode of communication due to not only their being inexpensive to use and mail, but also their prolific availability. Between 1901 and 1906, often considered the golden years of picture postcard publishing, printing of “penny postcards” doubled almost every six months. By 1907, European card publishers began to open offices in the United States and accounted for more than 75 percent of all postcards sold in the country.

The hobby of postcard collecting was also gaining popularity all over the world. Local interest cards were and still are some of the more valuable and collectable cards in the market, some garnering prices in the hundreds of dollars at auctions. Official figures from the U.S. Post Office indicate in June 1908, when the United States population hovered near the 88 million mark, almost 7 million postcards were mailed during the prior fiscal year.

From all of us here at the House of News to all of you faithful readers, may your 2019be, as the card indicates, prosperous, fortunate and filled with good results.