Postcard Metadata
Transcription
Hello Sis: How are you? I am fine and dandy. Vergie, Albert, Mayme, Jim, Ray and I were down to Porters last night had a fine time. Everyone is well and happy but me. ha, ha. I am lonesome. I want to send Hiram a card to day. I suppose you know he and John are in Monmouth. Why don’t you write I haven’t heard from you for ages. Write me soon, your Sis Emma.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard, sent by Pearl’s sister Emma, provides a charming glimpse into the everyday life and familial connections within the Byers family. Emma, writing from what is inferred to be Burlington, Iowa (based on the front image and “IOWA” postmark), expresses a common sentiment of the era: loneliness and the desire for more frequent communication. Her message highlights the vital role postcards played in maintaining relationships across distances, especially when visits were less frequent.
Emma shares news of a “fine time” at “Porters” with a group of friends or family, listing names like Vergie, Albert, Mayme, Jim, and Ray, illustrating Pearl’s broader social network. The mention of Hiram and John in Monmouth further expands the geographic and relational web, demonstrating how these small missives served as updates on various acquaintances and family members. This card underscores the casual, yet deeply personal, nature of postcard correspondence as sisters shared their daily happenings and emotional states.
The heartfelt plea, “Why don’t you write I haven’t heard from you for ages. Write me soon,” beautifully encapsulates the longing for connection. This exchange between sisters is a testament to the enduring bond between Pearl and her family, setting a personal context for her future relationship with Harvey Sights, who would also become a prolific postcard writer to her.