Greeting Cards
History
This is one of my favorite categories of cards. There were some wonderfully diverse cards that did not feature just one image, but several images of MHC in a collage format. There was an Australian ballot card greeting, which I think is pretty keen. And the humorous "Just a Line" card - that is pretty unusual too. I've even got a handmade card.
Normally, I have not collected images of Mount Holyoke the mountain, but I couldn't resist including a few here, sent on Mountain Day, which is a sacred tradition at MHC.
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.
- Holyoke Collage
- front "Holyoke": a collage of Rockefeller Hall (the original one), Mary Lion [sic] Hall, Dwight Hall, Second Level Canal, Pearson [sic] Hall, City Hall, Soldier's Monument, The New Dam, View of High Str, and Puplic [sic] Library. What a collection of typos! Inscription: "July 13th 1907 Received your letter yesterday Write to you as soon as I have a time Holyoke will surely win pennant of 1907 Arno"
- back Undivided back, postmarked Jul 13, 1907 4:30pm in Holyoke, MA, flag cancel. Transit mark Jul 14, 1907 TR58 in NY & W? RPO. Stamped "Missent". #5486 Ill. Post Card Co., N. Y.
- Greetings From Holyoke
- front "Greetings from Holyoke" Three scenes from MHC: Mary Lyon Hall, Mary E. Wilder Hall, and Safford Hall and Mary Brigham Hall. "Dear folks at home: Every thing is getting along finely I guess. My studies worry me though. I am going to pitch in and study now. I took my physical exam to-day. Lots of love Marion. Oct 8, 1903." and up the side: "I was glad to receive Mamma's letter this afternoon - Hope you are all well."
- back Undivided back. Postmarked Oct 9, 1903 10am in South Hadley. Transit marks: one illegible, the other Oct 10, 1903 12:30pm in Cincinnati, O.
- Greetings from South Hadley, Mass.
- front "Greetings from South Hadley, Mass." Four scenes from MHC: Mary Lyon Hall, Upper Falls, Elizabeth Mead Hall, and Walk to Lake.
- back Divided back, unused, stamp box. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1024. Printed in Germany.
- Greetings from South Hadley, Mass.
- front "Greetings from South Hadley, Mass." Four scenes from MHC: The Foot Bridge, The Old Arch, Cowles Lodge, and Upper Cascade
- back Divided back, postmarked Apr 24, 1912 12:30pm in South Hadley. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1?11. Made in Germany. "I have received everything and thank you very very much for everything. All the rest are having a good time to-day but I have got to grind for Hist. & then will probably flunk it. I will write you a nice letter Fri. and tell you all the news so you can expect a letter Sat. With love Ruth"
- Greetings from Mount Holyoke College
- front "Greetings from Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Two scenes from MHC: Peterson Lodge and The Cascade.
- back Divided back, unused, stamp box. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1016.
- Greetings From Holyoke
- front "Greetings from Holyoke" Three scenes from MHC: Library, Lydia Shattuck Hall, and Rockefeller Hall. "Dear Cora We are to have a social for the Lodge at our home Wed eve Mar 29 add 10.0 and would like to have you come if convenient bring anyone you wish. Your friend Mary. 8 Neptune St. West Lynn"
- back Private Mailing Card, undivided back. Flag cancel. Postmarked Mar 28, 1905 1:30pm in Lynn, Mass. Transit mark, also from Lynn, Mar 28, 1905, but time illegible.
- Greetings from Mount Holyoke College
- front "Greetings from Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Two scenes from MHC:Rockefeller Hall and The Old Arch.
- back Divided back, unused, stamp box. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1074. Printed in Germany.
- Mount Holyoke College
- front "Greetings from Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Five scenes from MHC:Mary Lyon Hall, Upper Falls, Library, Art Gallery, and Music Hall.
- back Divided back, stamp box. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1059. Printed in Germany. Postmarked Nov 16, 1912 7am in South Hadley. "It's 2:30, and I have an afternoon of work ahead on the D. J. paper, due at 6 to-morrow. Had Chem quiz this A. M. and discovered that Chem average much higher than I expected. Your letter and C's came last night. I agree that it wouldn't be wise for C. to come for Th-, much as we want him. Miss Little said it would not be necessary for me to stay on their account, so I shall have three days at home at Th. A. A. R."
- Merry Christmas!
- front OK, so this is an identical card to this one, but it has a large greeting added by the sender that turned it into a holiday card. The card's published title is "Greetings from Holyoke", and has three scenes from MHC: Mary Lyon Hall, Mary E. Wilder Hall, and Safford Hall and Mary Brigham Hall. "Merry Christmas!"
- back Undivided back. Flag cancel. Postmarked Dec 23, 1903 10:30pm in Holyoke.
- Greetings from South Hadley, Mass.
- front "Greetings from South Hadley, Mass." Two scenes: Mrs. Winchester's and Soldier's Monument.
- back Divided back, postmarked the 28th of an unidentified month, 1913 12:30pm in South Hadley. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1029. Printed in Germany. "Dear Mama - Just rec'd your letter. I planned to write last night but am very busy this week as always. I had a letter from Leon last night also one from Lucy Doe. She didn't say anything about my coming out there. Wish I could go there Thanksgiving. She sent her love to you. I have just been to German, I hate the stuff. It is my hardest course. The cross indicates our room. Much love, Miriam."
- Greetings from South Hadley, Mass.
- front "Greetings from South Hadley, Mass." Two scenes: Croysdale Inn, and "This is the House that Jack built", which is also Croysdale Inn.
- back Divided back, unused, stamp box. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1055. Printed in Germany.
- South Hadley, Mass.
- front "South Hadley, Mass." Five scenes: Gaylord Library, Village Church, School House, C. A. Gridley & Son, and Post Office.
- back Divided back, unused, stamp box. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. #1058. Printed in Germany.
- Just A Line
- front "Just A Line From Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Inscription: "This doesn't equal the two donkeys and the other, but I have an envelope addressed, in the process of writing a letter. This meanwhile. L. E. C."
- back Undivided back, stamp box. Postmarked May 18, 1905 12 midnight in South Hadley. Three transits in So. Weymouth Mass May 19,: 2:30pm and 6pm and 8pm - several address changes!
- Australian Ballot
- front "Australian Ballot Post Card" "Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass., [blank] 190 [blank]" "The items marked with an X express my sentiments and tell the news". Inscriptions: dated May 4, 1908; Signed Mae Belle; and selected 15 of the 50 categories. The word "ride" was substituted for "bat" in "Just been on a bat to Springfield" and partially blocks the category above, which reads "Made up six gym cuts to-day".
- back Undivided back, stamp box. Published by Hammond Publishing Co., Milwaukee, Wis. Flag cancel. Postmarked May 4, 1908 10am in South Hadley. Transit mark May 4, 1908 10:30pm in Montclair NJ.
- Gary Larson at Mount Holyoke?
- front "Between classes at Mount Holyoke College of Laboratory Assistants" A handmade card, using an image from a Gary Larson cartoon.
- back Divided back, postmarked Jun 14, 1994 in Portsmouth, NH. Produced by Wally Turgeon, Jr. Yes, it was made for me! "Hello Donna, I saw your name on the pcard list, and thought you would like a homemade card. As you can see, the cartoon is one from the "Larson" series. The caption is my own. I prefer making cards. I think it makes it more personal. If you can, please send me a card. Thanks Wally '94 Wally Turgeon Box 76 Merrimac MA 01860-0076" and a note by the fawn postcard stamp says "Is this Bambi?"
- Greetings from the Summit
- front "Greetings from the Summit of MOUNT HOLYOKE, Northampton, Mass." Two scenes from the summit: Inclined Railway to Summit, and The Tennis Courts. Inscription: "Senior Mountain Day". Northampton flag cancel bled through to front. Author.
- back Undivided back, stamp box. Flag cancel. Postmarked June 13, 1906 10:30am in Northampton, Mass. Transit Mark June 14, 1906 7am in Plainfield, NJ.
- Greetings from the Summit
- front "Greetings from the Summit of MOUNT HOLYOKE, Northampton, Mass." Two scenes from the summit: The Prospect House on the Summit of Mt. Holyoke, and Thatched Roof Summer House. Inscription: "Yours for tutoring - L.". Northampton flag cancel bled through to front.
- back Undivided back, stamp box. Flag cancel. Postmarked June 13, 1906 10:30am in Northampton, Mass. Transit Mark June 14, 1906 7am in Plainfield, NJ.
- Greetings from the Summit
- front "Greetings from the Summit of MOUNT HOLYOKE, P. O. Northampton, Mass." A scene from the summit: The Prospect House on the Summit of Mt. Holyoke. ' "If thou art worn and hard beset/With sorrows, that thou wouldst forget,/If thou wouldst read a lesson that would keep/Thy heart from fainting and thy soul from sleep,/Go to the woods and hills!" - Longfellow' Inscription: "June 29, 1910. 1000 feet high. Phoned Addie from here Want to get home but am very busy will write tonight Lovingly your daughter Clara."
- back Undivided back, stamp box. Flag cancel. Postmarked June 30, 1910 10am in Northampton, Mass. Also postmarked "Mailed on The Summit of Mount Holyoke." I bought this card because it was addressed to a home not far from where I live. I did drive by to find #56 Wellesley Park; the home is painted pink now, but still there!
- Greetings from Holyoke
- front A very similar card to this one, but the card's published title, "Greetings from Holyoke", is located in the top right corner rather than the bottom left corner. "N. L. H. Jan 1st 1905"
- back Undivided back, unused.
- Holyoke Collage
- front "Holyoke": a collage of Rockefeller Hall (the original one), Mary Lion [sic] Hall, Dwight Hall, Second Level Canal, Pearson [sic] Hall, City Hall, Soldier's Monument, The New Dam, View of High Str, and Puplic [sic] Library. Typos ... and glitter around each picture!
- back Undivided back, stamp box, unused. Illustrated Postal Card Co., N. Y.
- Greetings From Holyoke
- front "Greetings from Holyoke" Four scenes from MHC: Lake, Mary Lyon Monument and Porter hall, Walk to the Lake, and Pavilion.
- back Undivided back, stamp box, unused. A Private Mailing Card.
- Greetings From Holyoke
- front "Greetings from Holyoke" Three scenes from MHC: Library and Rear of Mary Lyon Hall, Rockefeller Hall, and Shattuck Hall.
- back Undivided back, stamp box, unused. A Private Mailing Card.
- Greetings From Mount Holyoke College
- front "Greetings from Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Shows Mary Wilder Hall in a fancy border.
- back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Jan 10, 1915 4:30pm in South Hadley. #1098 Published by C. A. Gridley & Son. Printed in Germany. "Dear Buff, I hope you'll have a very nice birthday. Marie & I are working awfully hard again. Won't you write to me please. Love from Kathleen."
- A Few Scratches
- front "A Few Scratches from Mt. Holyoke College So. Hadley, Mass." Inscription: "How about some from Waterbury Conn? Let's go for a drive this afternoon. E."
- back Undivided back, postmarked Oct 22, 1906 10am in South Hadley, and Oct 22, 1096 7:30pm in Waterbury CT.
- Extension Post Card
- front "Extension Post Card Five Feet Long Souvenir Views Holyoke, Ma. - Mt. Tom" Several views of MHC are in the collection, including a page with views of Mead, Brigham, and Shattuck/Williston; a page with Mary Lyon Chapel and the choir; a page of Dwight Art Memorial and the Gym; and a page that shows a view of the campus from in front of Williston looking toward Brigham and Safford.
- Season's Greetings
- front "The Season's Greetings for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." A real photo portrait of a young woman in a wooded area.
- back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed: "From Annie Sutcliffe Taken on Mount Holyoke Sept. 1914" AZO.
- Greetings from South Hadley
- front "Greetings from South Hadley"
- back Divided back, stamp box, inscribed and stamped but not cancelled: "Well how are you and how did did [sic] you feel when you got home hope every thing was all right have been looking for Auntie ever since you went but have not seen her yet. All well. [four signatures]"
- Greetings from Holyoke
- front "Greetings from Holyoke" The letters of the word "Holyoke" have scenes from the town of Holyoke in them, including two scenes from Mount Holyoke College (Dwight Art Memorial and Rockefeller Hall). Inscription: "Haven't heard from you this week. Hope no one is ill. Or have you been taking a vacation at Quon.? Every thing as usual here. Am anx. to know if you got the deed in time & all about it. M. S. K."
- back Divided back, postmarked Oct 21, 1907 11:30am in Holyoke. Flag cancel. Published by Illustrated Postal Card Company.
- Mary Lyon Hall and Upper Lake
- front Views of Mary Lyon Hall and Upper Lake.
- back Undivided back, postmarked Apr 19, 1914 8pm in Northampton. Published by Scott. #F808. "Souvenir of Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Addressed to Mrs. Gustave E. Kurth.
- Greetings from the Summit
- front "Greetings from the Summit of Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Mass." Two scenes from the summit: a pathway to the summit house, and the inclined railway to the summit house. Inscription: "In a few days we leave this beautiful country, perhaps never to return but then the memories will be pleasant, and something to look back on, during the hard days to come. Sept. 7, 1903. K. F. S." An arrow points to the inclined railway view: "This is the view we get from our lawn."
- back Undivided back, stamp box, postmarked Sep 8, 1903 11:?0am in Northampton, Mass. Transit marks Sep 8, 1903 9:30pm in Brooklyn, NY and Sep 9, 1903 1am in Brooklyn, NY Station B.
- Views of Mount Holyoke College
- front An aerial view of north campus. "Views of Mount Holyoke College by Asa Stephen Kinney, Instructor, Department of Botany, Mount Holyoke College. A souvenir edition of forty-two half tones (cuts 4x5 inches) of buildings and college life at Mount Holyoke, also a brief historical sketch. Price, sixty cents, post paid, United States and Canada. Address all correspondence to Mrs. A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. Stamps not accepted in payment." Flag cancel bled through from the back. Once in the collection of William Clark.
- back Undivided back, postmarked Mar 7, 1905 7am in South Hadley. Transit mark Mar 7, 1905 8:30am in Holyoke, Mass (flag cancel), Mar 7, 1905 11:30am in Brattleboro, VT, and Mar 7, 1905 12midnight in Brattleboro [...]. A Private Mailing Card.
- South Hadley Pennant Card
- front "Der is a Madchen at So. Hadley dat is shtuck on me."
- back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Dutch Kid Pennant Series #32. The "So. Hadley" stamp on the front shows through faintly on the back.
- Packet of 25 Mini Cards
- front The box states there are 20 Mt. Holyoke College views, but actually there were 25. Cards measure 2 5/8" x 1 5/8" in size. Photobelle Works, Inc.
- back The other half of the collection. Backs of all of these views are blank.
- Greetings from Los Angeles Cal.
- front "Greetings from Los Angeles Cal." Attached is a calendar for 1905.
- back Divided back, postmarked Feb 17, 1905 in Los Angeles, and Feb 23, 1905 7:30pm in South Hadley Falls. Addressed to Mrs. E. G. Pierce in South Hadley Falls. I was getting desperate after nearly 20 years of never finding a leather South Hadley postcard; this tided me over until my luck changed and I found one of Dwight.
- Packet of 12 Postcards
- front "Views of Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts" 12 black and white postcards published by Robert A. Glesmann and The Albertype Company, Brooklyn NY, circa 1930. Views include: The Gate, Mary Lyon Hall, The Library, Dwight Hall, Student Alumni [sic] Hall, Skinner Hall, Gymnasium, Music Building, Front Campus, Campus from Wilder Hall, View from Toboggan Slide, and Pageant Field. All unused and still in the folder.
- Greetings from South Hadley Falls
- front "Greetings from South Hadley Falls" The letters in "Greetings" are enhanced by glitter, and the words "South Hadley Falls" are written entirely in glitter.
- back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed: "May 30, 1907 Jennie Davison Just a reminder of a year ago today"
- Greetings to the Mt. Holyoke Girl
- front "Springfield, Mass. Shipping on the River" Overprinted with: "Greetings to the Mt. Holyoke Girl / Johnson's Bookstore of Springfield has an immense stock and store. It will give us great pleasure to have you drop in. Meet your friends at Johnson's" Published by Johnson's Bookstore, Springfield, Mass.
- back Undivided back, stamp box, unused. The Metropolitan News Co., Boston, Mass. Manufacturers of Souvenir Postal Cards. Made in Germany.
- Mount Holyoke Panorama
- front "Mt. Holyoke College Campus, So Hadley, Mass." A panoramic view, left to right: Safford, Brigham, Mary Lyon, Library, Dwight, Shattuck, Williston.
- back Undivided back, stamp box, unused. Published by Merry Job Print, Springfield, Mass. This postcard is the length of four postcards, and the back of it is mostly blank. The scan shows the one panel that has printing. The card was intended to be folded and rubber banded in order to be mailed, for only one cent. I was surprised there wasn't a surcharge because of the extra weight.
- Greetings from the Summit
- front "Greetings from the Summit of Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Mass." Three scenes from the summit: Prospect House, the inclined railway, and a horse-drawn carriage.
- back Undivided back, postmarked Aug 22, 1904 8:30pm in Northampton, Mass. Transit mark Aug 22, 1904 11:30am in Chicopee. Received before it was mailed??
- Greetings from the Summit
- front "Greetings from the Summit of Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Mass." Three scenes from the summit: the thatched roof summer house, the summit house, and the oxbow in the Connecticut River as seen from Mt. Holyoke.
- back Undivided back, postmarked Aug 22, 1904 8:30pm in Northampton, Mass. Transit mark Aug 22, 1904 11:30am in Chicopee. Received before it was mailed??
- Greetings from the Summit
- front "Greetings from the Summit of Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Mass." View of the summit house.
- back Undivided back, postmarked Aug 22, 1904 8:30pm in Northampton, Mass. Transit mark Aug 22, 1904 11:30am in Chicopee. Received before it was mailed??
- Packet of 8 Postcards
- front "Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts" Eight black and white postcards published by College Bookstore. Postmarked Jan 29, 1945 in Philadelphia PA.
- back Also marked from The Albertype Co., Brooklyn NY. Inscription: "Sat. Dear Eleanor: Arrived here last night Lots of snow (the nice white kind) and very cold but so dry we do not mind it. Had fun on the train with my two little girls one 15 and 17. They are so thrilled and happy to take such a trip. Have had Charlotte and many of her friends out with us to luncheon and dinner and I am really having the time of my life. My cold is gone and I feel like a new man. Hope to see you soon. Call me Monday or Tues evening around 7:30 Get home Sunday night late. - Bill"
- inside Views include: Field Memorial Gateway, Student-Alumnae Hall, Chapel Garden, Williston Library, Skinner Hall, Rockefeller Hall, Emily Abbey Hall, Cornelia Clapp Laboratory, Abbey Memorial Chapel, Mount Holyoke Campus - North End. All unused and still in the folder.
- Holyoke Collage
- front "Holyoke": a collage of Rockefeller Hall (the original one), Mary Lion [sic] Hall, Dwight Hall, Second Level Canal, Pearson [sic] Hall, City Hall, Soldier's Monument, The New Dam, View of High Str, and Puplic [sic] Library. Pasted portrait in the center.
- back Undivided back, stamp box, addressed but unused. Illustrated Postal Card Co., N. Y.
- South Hadley Pennant Card
- front "Oh! You! So. Hadley Chicken."
- back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Auto Pennant Series - 16 designs. The "So. Hadley" stamp on the front shows through faintly on the back.
- Greetings from So. Hadley Falls Mass.
- front "Greetings from So. Hadley Falls Mass." The town name is added to a printed card with glitter.
- back Undivided back, postmarked Jun 1907 in Holyoke. Published by United Art Publishing Co., New York City.
- Greetings from South Hadley, Mass.
- front Untitled view of sailboats on a mountain-ringed lake. I believe this is a stock photo and that this scene does not really exist in South Hadley.
- back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Greetings from South Hadley, Mass." A quote by Thomson: "Give a man a boat he can sail..." Color photo by Herbert Lanks. #5277G Printed by Natural Color Card and Scenic Art, PO Box 1373, Richmond, California.
- College Girl Pennant Leather Card
- front A college student in a graduation cap, holding a red pennant with an H on it. (A red pennant normally signifies Harvard, not Mount Holyoke.) Sender signed: "F.C."
- back Undivided back, postmarked Mar 13, 1906 in Newburgh, NY. Transit mark Mar 13, 1906 3pm in South Hadley. Addressed to Miss Lulu D. Brower at Mount Holyoke.
- I'm Fishing for a Line from You Leather Card
- front A man in a top hat fishing off a pier. "I'm Fishing For a line from you at South Hadley"
- back Undivided back, postmarked Apr 7, 1905 in South Hadley. Transit marks Apr 7, 1905 in Springfield, Mass. and Apr 7, 1905 pm in East Windsor, Conn. Addressed to Miss Lulu D. Brower in East Windsor Hill, Conn.
- Picturesque Letter
- front "Picturesque Letter South Hadley, Mass." Published by C. A. Gridley & Son, South Hadley. Postmarked Jun 21, 1907 10am in South Hadley. Addressed to Miss Vida B Snyder, Oak Hill, NY.
- page 1 Image of Mary Lyon Hall. "So. Hadley, Mass., June 21 1907 / My Dear Vida - Last night was the first night that I staid in So Hadley since leaving three weeks ago, and it certainly seemed rather lonely not to see Rex, I havent [sic] heard any thing of him and I guess he must have gotten waylaid. We had quite a thunder shower here last P.M. and this AM is very pleasant."
- page 2 Images of College Library and Dwight Memorial Art Building.
- page 3 Images of College Street and Stone Arch.
- page 4 Images of Pearson's [sic] Hall and Brigham Hall.
- page 5 Images of Rockefeller Hall and Porter/Gym/Wilder Halls.
- page 6 Images of Safford Hall and Shattuck/Williston Halls.
- page 7 Image of the road to Goodnow Park. "Tomorrow their [sic] is a circus at Holyoke think maybe I will go down and see it. If I can find the price today. Wish you was here to go with me. When are you a coming out. You had better come before July 15th as I think I will make a change about then or Aug 1st. Well as my paper is nearly full will say bye bye - Very Sincerely from Ed [?]"
- back Postmarked Jun 22, 1907 7am in Catskill, NY and Jun 22, 1907 in Oak Hill, NY. Made by New England Paper & Stationery Company, Ayer and Boston, Mass.