Wednesday, August 6, 2014

On the Water Wagon

From the steamer trunk.

2014-8-6. 1913-02-20-a
(Click on images to enlarge)
Images courtesy of E.H.


This card was mailed in 1913, when the phrase "on the water wagon" and its variations were already in common parlance when alcohol was being discussed — as it was so often in those days.

Someone sent this card to Herman Harms, but I don't know who.

2014-8-6. 1913-02-20-b

Herman did not have a little sister. The handwriting and the general style don't look like Minnie Rossow's, and as for signing her initials "M.H." — that was far in the future. I can only suppose that Herman had some cousin or friend in Chicago whom he treated like a little sister.

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