Antique Postcard Lot Josh Billings American Pun Comic Novelty Check Chicago
These two postcards from the early 20th century highlight classic American literary humor and early novelty gift ephemera:
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Josh Billings Proverb Comic: A vibrant red and gold patterned postcard featuring a humorous phonetic farming quote from one of America's earliest beloved humorists. He pioneered a wildly popular style of comedic writing defined by intentional misspellings, rural slang, and clever homespun aphorisms ("phunny pellows" style).
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Novelty Financial Speculation Poem: A minimalist card utilizing decorative gothic text and an open perimeter box designed to hold a small token or paper check accompaniment. The term "spec." refers to speculation in business or the stock market, capturing the era's booming commercial spirit. It served as an interactive greeting card, giving the sender a playful, stylized format to mail monetary gifts or bank checks directly through the postal service.
Size: Standard 3.5 x 5.5"
Era: Divided Back Era (1907–1915)
Type: Lithography
Condition: The Josh Billings card is stamped with a pitch for localized sales agents, reading: "USE PEARLS OF WISDOM POST CARDS: Do good and safely earn without much effort, publicity or expense $10 to $20 weekly. For samples and plan 10c. Address Self Culture Society, U.S. 75 Auditorium Building, CHICAGO, ILL." This offers an incredible glimpse into early 20th-century "work-from-home" side hustles, where everyday citizens were recruited to sell quote cards for a handsome inflation-adjusted weekly profit.
This is an authentic vintage item. Use the zoom tool to inspect the photos for a detailed view of the condition.