1915 Thanksgiving Postcard: Child Eating Turkey, Excelsior

Historical Context & Overview

During the Golden Age of Postcards (1907–1915), sending illustrated holiday greetings was a cherished American tradition. Millions of vibrant, embossed, and lithographed cards traversed the U.S. Postal System each autumn, connecting loved ones with witty rhymes and wholesome domestic scenes. This delightful 1915 Thanksgiving postcard stands as a quintessential artifact from the twilight of that golden era, capturing both the lighthearted humor of early 20th-century holiday imagery and a tangible slice of Midwestern family history.

Charming Holiday Illustration and Sentiment

The front illustration features a rosy-cheeked child perched eagerly in a tall wooden high chair at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Holding a clean turkey bone in one hand and inspecting an empty plate in the other, the young diner embodies the joyful indulgence typical of holiday feasting. Rendered in vivid color lithography with expressive line work, the artwork is paired with a festive verse: "On Thanksgiving Day I Hope that You, Will be Full of Thanks And Turkey too." Below, bold hand-lettered typography wishes the recipient a "Happy Thanksgiving Day," reflecting the cheerful art style popular in American print culture prior to World War I.

A Missouri Connection: Excelsior Springs to Gallatin

Flipping the postcard reveals a rich historical footprint preserved on its divided back. Cancelled with a clear postmark from Excelsior Springs, Missouri, on November 23, 1915—just two days before Thanksgiving that year—the card bears a green one-cent George Washington postage stamp. Excelsior Springs was then gaining national renown as a booming mineral spa resort city, celebrated for its therapeutic waters and grand hotels.

The card was addressed to "Master Richard B. Trotter" in Gallatin, Missouri, c/o Chas. Trotter. Handwritten in elegant black fountain pen ink, the sender—Aunt Susie—adds a clever personal touch referencing the card's illustration: "Dear Dick, I see there is not much left in your plate. Love to all, Aunt Susie." This warm, humorous message demonstrates how early postcard senders directly integrated the printed artwork into their personal correspondence.

Collector Significance and Archival Appeal

For collectors of holiday ephemera, regional Missouri history, or antique juvenile illustration, this piece offers exceptional visual and historical appeal. Dated near the definitive end of the Golden Age of Postcards, it showcases the high print quality, rich color depth, and charming typography characteristic of American postcard publishers from 1915. Preserved with authentic postal usage, period handwriting, and a crisp postmark, it serves as a evocative window into American family life over a century ago.