The first card, probably from the 1910s, would raise eyebrows today because of the "mooning" suggestion and the mildly racist slang attributed to the Native American population. Did you notice the swastika symbol in the top corners? I didn't until they were pointed out to me. I didn't know until I researched "swastika in America" that the symbol is one of the world's oldest cross emblems, formed with four "L's" standing for Luck, Light, Love, and Life. It was a good-luck sign for centuries, and Native Americans as well as other segments of the population used it in art, clothing, home decor, and architecture. The symbol was abandoned here when it became associated with the Hitler regime.
The next card, with its caricature of a boy in Chinese attire, could also be considered politically incorrect by today's standards.
The following cards, many of them addressed to Sarah's children, are from the first years of the 1900s through maybe the late 1920s. That's my best guess, as dates are not noted in Sarah's scrapbooks. The handwriting "He stole all hearts" may have referred to Sarah's youngest child, David, who would have been younger than 5 years old when this card was sent. |
2 comments:
What a wonderful collection of family valentines, Fran. I did like your introduction (alliteration always appeals to me), and I learnt something with your explanation of the swastika - I never knew that. I have my favourites but they are all lovely in different ways.
Those cards are adorable. I wish I had more things like that from my ancestors. I certainly enjoy your posts.
Post a Comment