Michael Bushnell
Publisher

This week we continue our novelty postcard series with a couple of postcards that follow our “Remember This” column by Dorri Partain. Featured are two calendar postcards advertising two businesses in Amsterdam, Mo., the Blaker Lumber and Grain Company and the Amsterdam Produce Company.

Both postcards were used as advertising for the businesses listed on the front and mailed to potential customers, advertising prices for items the business offered on the back of the postcard.

On the back of the Amsterdam Produce postcard, prices are listed for hens, turkeys, roosters, geese, eggs and cream. The card for Blaker Lumber and Grain bears a typewritten message that reads, “Brighten up with Sherwin-Williams Paints and varnishes. We also carry a full line of brushes. Our stock of lumber and shingles is complete. Remember us when you build. White pine screen doors.”

Much like emails today, advertising postcards were an inexpensive way for businesses to put their advertising message in front of their customers for little more than the cost of the postcard and the penny stamp for delivery. Each postcard features a handy little hole at the top so it could be hung in a prominent place in the customer’s home during the month that was at the bottom. The calendar postcards for Amsterdam Produce also feature a finely dressed model holding a bouquet of flowers.

Both the Blaker Lumber and Grain card and the Amsterdam Produce card were mailed to Mr. R. Julien of Amsterdam, Mo. They were purchased from a collection of a local Historic Northeast resident who was going to toss them in the trash. They are on tap to be donated to the Jackson County Historical Society as part of a larger collection.