This postcard is a wonderful example of the artistic and elaborate designs popular in the Edwardian era and immediately preceding it. It is a true piece of sentimental art, though the simple, brief message leaves us with a lovely little mystery.
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| Vintage "Birthday Greetings" Postcard with Portrait and Vase |
The Image: Birthday Greetings
The front is a colourful, composite design that combines a floral still-life with a portrait:
Design: The background appears to be a textured, grey wall. A large, ornate metallic vase holding a bouquet of pink and white roses stands on a ledge.
The Portrait: Set into a circular frame on the wall is a hand-coloured photographic portrait of a young woman with a classic, voluminous hairstyle and a dark shawl.
The Message: Across the top, in elegant gold script, are the words: "Birthday Greetings. Best wishes for Peace, Health And Prosperity."
Style: This style of postcard, where a portrait is integrated into an artistic setting, was very popular around the early 1900s. The detail, like the roses spilling out of the frame and down the base, is exquisite.
The Message: "With Love and Best Wishes From Us Both"
The back of the postcard is an undivided back (meaning it has no line separating the address and message, typical of postcards before 1902 in the UK, but common for a period after in other countries, or simply a style choice).
The message is brief, elegant, and perfectly suited for a heartfelt greeting:
"With love and best Wishes from us Both."
The sender's signature is just "B.th."
A Note on the Mystery
The most intriguing part is the simple signature, "B.th." Who is "B.th."? And who is the unnamed person in the portrait?
The Sender: Could "B.th." stand for Beth? Or perhaps Bartholomew?
"From Us Both": This phrase suggests two people sent the card—perhaps a couple, a parent and child, or two friends. The simple signature may represent just one of them, or a combined initial.
The Recipient: Since there is no address on the back, we don't know who received the card, or when it was sent, though the "PHILCO SERIES" marking may offer a clue to the publisher.
This card is a sweet reminder that even the briefest message can leave the largest impression, making us wonder about the people who sent and received this beautiful birthday wish over a century ago.
