• General Info,  Presentation/Appearance,  Social,  Thomas Gray Haile subcollection

    Chrysanthemums fill me with hope

    Thomas Gray Haile subcollection, cards 1, 60, 42, and 61 First up, a new year. The card was evidently sent with that message and nothing else–and as you can see it received more damage than most in this group (which is saying something): Nothing much really to say about this in this instance. I’m sure a collector of date-oriented cards could speak more to it, or perhaps someone familiar with the maker. It’s signed Genia Bryant, and postmarked Haydenburg, Tennessee, and that’s about all I can offer without tracking her down someway (perhaps someday). Then there’s this card from a Myrtle of Nashville–perhaps a rival (of sorts) to Madge? She…

  • Collecting,  General Info,  Presentation/Appearance,  Social,  Thomas Gray Haile subcollection

    With love and best wishes

    Thomas Gray Haile subcollections, cards 32, 2, 44, 50 Time for some more cards from Madge! First up, some flowers. You wouldn’t notice, since I’m sharing the cards here in the order they were posted, but the flower cards were bunched together. Ditto other topics. The collector(s) whose album contained these cards was one of many who may have collected in part based on subject. I can’t say for certain whether they sought out specific subjects as the album had a fair range–but they most definitely arranged most by subject. The inscription on the reverse is fairly tame for Madge. June 29.08 How are you? Hope you got home all…

  • General Info,  Presentation/Appearance,  Social,  Thomas Gray Haile subcollection

    Be good and enjoy your self

    Thomas Gray Haile subcollection, cards 19, 46, 104, 166 A variety of mysteries for you this week: disappearing writing or, rather, the fading writing (due in part to card condition. For this one — I have guesses as to parts of the message, but not the whole. For the most part with the Haile cards, I’ve only been showing the front. Here’s the front and back. You tell me (if you choose) what you think the message is. As for the image, it’s a saying (humorous or not) in a frame. Rather a pretty frame, too. The card doesn’t have an easy-to-find insignia or maker’s mark. Someone with a keen…

  • General Info,  Social,  Thomas Gray Haile subcollection

    Truth, Deception, and a Lucky Wishbone

    Thomas Gray Haile subcollections, cards 24, 5, and 22 We’re back! With some lovely roses to start us off, and a nice sentiment for a 1 April (1908) card. This is fairly tame for Madge, in image and message. The inscription itself is short: “April 1st Received your card tonight. Guess you were not disapointed about the letter. I was good last Sun. I am afraid to say much There is a show in town tonight Mary has gone.” Again, this offers hints about their layered communication in cards and letters, plus Madge’s being “afraid to say much” about being “good.” Then there’s this card. Sent for a holiday, given…

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