Thanksgiving is not a typical card-sending holiday. The basic idea is to meet with family members, share a meal, and express gratitude for everything good in our lives. Yet, for many reasons, this is not possible. Sending Thanksgiving greetings by mail is still a popular alternative. The peak in popularity of Thanksgiving postcards was in the Golden Era before the Great War (World War I), and since then, the custom of sending all kinds of postcards is slowly dying out. Still, sending a nice thought and a good vibe will never be out of fashion. Instead of sending postcards by classic mail, a lot of people opt for an alternative of sending an email to MMS with a Thanksgiving card as an attachment. Ellen Clapsaddle's vintage Thanksgiving postcards are a perfect choice.
We prepared several groups of Thanksgiving picture cards by one of the most successful postcard artists in history. Her achievements are even more praiseworthy considering she was one of the rare female artists in the harsh business of cards (and the only one with her own company) when everybody and their grandmother tried to squeeze as much as possible from the hot market. Ellen Clapsaddle didn't 'just' illustrate and design cards. She also supervised the manufacturing process and actively participated in promoting and selling. After all, her business-like approach led to considerable losses when the market crashed at the beginning of World War I.
Let's start our selection of Thanksgiving cards signed by Clapsaddle in her most recognizable style - with cute pictures of children.
As you can see, a printed greeting is also present on most of the cards.
If you would like to use the same wording, here it's the transcription ready to copy-paste:
Thanksgiving Day is here again,
And come this year to crown:
Oh pray receive my wholesome wishes,
For well prepared Thanksgiving dishes.
Or simply:
Best Wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.
Food sharing is the foundation of Thanksgiving and turkey is in the main role.
There were no turkeys at the first Thanksgiving dinners. Instead, venison, different wildfowl, vegetables, and fruit were served. Turkey became a symbol of Thanksgiving dinner later. Its look suggesting abundance and authentic American origin, greatly contributed to that fact. Let's enjoy a few more old Thanksgiving postcards with turkeys, this time in vertical format.
Ellen H. Clapsaddle covered the whole horizon of the Thanksgiving menu. Her postcards present other food as well.
Did you notice another old tradition? Breaking a wishing bone is a custom most of the younger generation is not accustomed to anymore. This can be a bit of a problem. Our progress is built on people with articulate wishes.
More food and some fall leaves:
Do you need some more Thanksgiving greetings for inspiration or just a copy?
Good Wishes for Thanksgiving Day.
Best Wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.
Cordial Thanksgiving Greetings.
Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving.
Hearty Thanksgiving Greetings.
This should be enough for one year. You are officially ready for the Thanksgiving table setting. Bookmark this webpage or pin it so you can find it when next Thanksgiving approaches.