Art Nouveau Fundraising Cards
History
There are at least six cards to this series. According to the blurb on each card, they were published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. These cards were all postmarked between 1907 and 1912, and the seventy-fifth anniversary of the College was in 1912. Since there was a seventy-fifth anniversary campaign called the Half Million Dollar Fund, I would wager that this is the campaign for the endowment fund for which these postcards were distributed. I don't know yet how much money was generated by the sales of these postcards, but they sure are interesting!
I've also included another fundraising card besides the Art Nouveau ones, because I didn't know where else to put it.
The Images
All cards are available with both front and back scans, and comments about what is written on the front or back, either by the user or by the publisher, are included below.
- Senior Rope Day
- front "Senior Rope Day" Inscription: "Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a Bright New Year. C. G. T" It was a tradition in the early 1900's for the seniors to try and skip rope in their long black robes in the pathways near the grove. It was a practice in coordination to try and maneuver the rope past the robe and its wide sleeves, and pinning the sleeves was not considered fair play. Senior rope skipping did not continue after 1935.
- back Divided back, stamp box. Published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. Postmarked Dec 23, 1907 in Bridgeport, Conn at an indecipherable time. Transit mark Dec 28, 1907 6pm in Burlington VT. "I started a letter to you several weeks ago but am sorry to say never finished it. Trusting you and your people are well. Yours with love Celia"
- The Lake in Winter
- front "The Lake in Winter" Inscription: "Would you like to skate on this Lake? I am thinking of you as at Christmas. What a good time you will have! Did you go to the circus? Aunt Abbie"
- back Divided back, stamp box. Published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. Postmarked June 11, 1912 5:30pm in South Hadley.
- Senior Serenade
- front "Senior Serenade" Senior serenade began in 1902 as a spontaneous tribute to the sophomore, or little-sister class. It has evolved over the years into the Canoe Sing held during commencement weekend. Inscription: "Do these lanterns make you think of Jack O. Lanterns and Halloween. I wonder if you went up to Grandma's or if Baylis went up all alone. Take in all you can. Abbie"
- back Divided back, stamp box. Published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. Postmarked June 11, 1912 5:30pm in South Hadley.
- Senior Serenade
- front "Senior Serenade" Inscription: "S. Hadley, June 14, '08 Dear Harry, am having a grand time here at college. There were 97 of class at the banquet last night. Does this picture look like anything you saw two years ago. 1908 serenaded us last night after we got back from Holyoke - at about mid-night. Class headquarters at Miss Miller's where we all take our meals. Class meeting this A.M. Baccalaureate sermon also. Sing on campus this P.M. Vesper service this evening. Fine weather but hot. Wish I could have arranged to go from Springfield to Albany on same train with Uncle Harry tomorrow. Yours, B.A.F."
- back Divided back, stamp box. Published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. Postmarked June 14, 1908 in South Hadley.
- Junior Lunch
- front"Junior Lunch" Inscription: "Let me know if I have. How's church and Sunday School? And are your mother and father and yourself, all well? Cordially, Mary Jenness"
- back Divided back, stamp box. Published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. Postmarked May 11, 1909 12midnight in South Hadley. "Dear Julia: Here's one more for your postal collection. I don't think I have send [sic] one like it before have I?"
- The College Choir
- front"The College Choir" Unused.
- back Divided back, stamp box. Published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. Unused, but there are a few glue marks.
- Ye Pastymes of ye Glad May Daye
- front"Ye Pastymes of ye Glad May Daye" Inscription: "Dear Mother - Am in Greenfield station waiting for train for West. Had an hour & a half to wait so went over to call on cousin Emma. She was out on the porch knitting and was so pleasant & cheerful as ever Josie was not at home. Have had a splendid time at college. Lots of alumnae were back. Wish I could take the train East for home and not have to go back to Salem for this week of correcting papers, making out grades etc. Goodbye. You'll hear more from me soon B.A.F."
- back Divided back, stamp box. Published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. Postmarked Jun 15, 1908 at the Bos. Troy & Albany Rail Post Office.
- Don't Disturb
- front"Don't Disturb by Florence Foss" "Sold for the TWO MILLION FOR MOUNT HOLYOKE Fund" Moss Photo, NY.
- back Completely blank. My heartfelt thanks to Sue Greenleaf Anderson for locating this card and graciously gifting me with it.