Today, social media is flooded with cute animal photos, but over a century ago, if you wanted a delightful image of a dog to send good cheer, you used a postcard like this one! This card from my collection is a fantastic example of the popular use of animal portraits in early 20th-century greetings.
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| Edwardian Puppys |
The Front: Best Wishes, from Man's Best Friend
This postcard is titled "Best Wishes" and features a charming duo of dogs resting on what looks like a heath or hillside, framed by heather and grass.
A Real Photograph: The card is a Real Photograph (marked on the back), which gives the image a sharp clarity and depth of tone often missing from printed illustrations. It captures the texture of the dogs' coats and the rugged setting beautifully.
The Breeds: On the left is a Cairn Terrier or similar small, shaggy terrier, known for its alert expression. On the right is a gorgeous English Springer Spaniel, a classic gundog breed, looking placidly at the camera.
The Verse: A decorative text panel on the right contains a flowery, traditional birthday poem:
"This bears a hearty Greeting, A message, just to say, I wish you many glad returns, On this your Natal Day."
The Message: A Simple Token of Love
The reverse is simple, direct, and full of affection, signed by "Muriel."
"Best Wishes, from your loving friend Muriel"
Below the short message, there are several rows of large, X's, representing kisses. This tradition of drawing X's for kisses was, and still is, a common and heartfelt way to sign off a personal letter or postcard. The message is simple, but the sentiment—a loving birthday wish sent with a charming, high-quality photo—is pure Edwardian warmth.
This postcard, likely dating from the 1910s, reminds us that while communication methods change, the desire to send a token of love and good wishes for a special day, often delivered by a charming animal mascot, remains timeless.
