Front — A group of store employees or proprietors pose with a display case of umbrellas.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Not Visible
Sent From: None
Sent To: None
Distance Traveled: None
Postage: Not visible (no stamp)
Card Details: Divided Back, Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) with “A Z O” stamp box (circa 1907-1920s).
Back — A list of names
Transcription
Fred Peasley Waldo Mason Miss Erbroidt Miss Osborn Tom Roberts Carrie Campbell Maude Biggs Mabel Roberto
Mason Dry Goods Store, La Harpe
Historical & Family Notes
This charming real photo postcard, likely dating to the early 20th century, captures a slice of small-town commerce, possibly the very store where Harvey Sights worked or visited. The image presents a bustling scene with employees, a counter, and umbrellas for sale, suggesting a dry goods or department store.
Front — An engraving depicts the Old Gittings Seminary in Laharpe, Illinois, noted as having burned on January 13, 1889.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: N/A
Sent From: N/A (Laharpe, Illinois implied by subject matter)
Sent To: (Address lines are blank on the card)
Distance Traveled: N/A (No addresses for calculation)
Postage: No stamp visible
Card Details: Undivided Back (common pre-1907), manufactured by A.T.F. Co. Chicago.
Back — Correspondence from Unidentified to Implied Recipient: Pearl Byers
Transcription
Show where the present F. A. Nelson home is.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard offers a glimpse into local Illinois history, featuring an engraving of the Old Gittings Seminary in Laharpe, a town approximately 20 miles north of Carthage. The front explicitly notes the seminary’s destruction by fire on January 13, 1889, placing the card’s publication sometime after this event. The Undivided Back design suggests it predates 1907, aligning with the early courtship years of Pearl Byers and Harvey Sights.
The back of the card, while lacking a clear sender or recipient address, contains a brief, almost enigmatic message: “Show where the present F. A. Nelson home is.” This laconic note implies a shared local knowledge between the sender and the intended recipient, characteristic of correspondence between friends or family members within a close-knit community. It’s easy to imagine a young Harvey or Pearl sending such a card to the other, perhaps during one of their brief separations, sharing a point of interest known only to them.
The card serves as a tangible piece of the era, illustrating how local landmarks and everyday observations found their way into personal communications. While not a direct love letter, its inclusion in Pearl’s collection suggests it held some personal significance, possibly marking a location they visited or discussed, further knitting the fabric of their early relationship within the familiar landscapes of Hancock County, Illinois.
Front — A hand-tinted postcard featuring a scenic view of Indian Mound Park in Quincy, Illinois, overlooking the Mississippi River.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Quincy, Ill. — AUG 25 4 PM 1908
Sent From: Quincy, Illinois
Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 32 miles
Postage: One Cent U.S. Franklin stamp, green.
Card Details: Divided back postcard, printed by “Leipzig Berlin Dresden Litho-Chrome”, trademark indicates “Printed in Germany”.
Back — Correspondence from Elva to Miss Pearl Byers
Transcription
Hello kids! Got here p.m. sound. Have a dandy room. Will have to write before long. Elva 438 N. 8th st.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard offers a glimpse into Pearl Byers’ social circle before her eventual marriage to Harvey Sights. The sender, Elva, is likely a friend or relative, providing a quick update from Quincy, Illinois. The casual tone and simple message, “Hello kids! Got here p.m. sound. Have a dandy room,” reflect the common use of postcards for brief, informal communication in the early 20th century, a time when such exchanges were cherished links between distant friends and family.
The card’s front depicts Indian Mound Park in Quincy, a notable local landmark with its historic earthworks and scenic views of the Mississippi River. Such picturesque views were popular subjects for postcards, allowing senders to share a bit of their travels or local attractions with recipients back home. Even a relatively short trip to a nearby town like Quincy would have been an occasion worth noting and sharing with friends like Pearl in Carthage.
While Harvey Sights isn’t directly mentioned in this particular correspondence, this postcard beautifully illustrates the rich tapestry of relationships Pearl maintained. These frequent, small exchanges kept her connected to a broad community of friends and family, forming the supportive network that would surround her as she eventually married Harvey and started her own family, enriching the Sights’ family legacy.
Front — A bustling view of Main Street in La Harpe, Illinois, featuring storefronts with awnings and a partially colorized brick building.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Burnside, IL — June 20, 1907
Sent From: Burnside, Illinois
Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 11 miles
Postage: U.S. One Cent (Franklin)
Card Details: Undivided Back era (1901-1907), manufactured by Curt Teich & Co., Chicago
Back — Correspondence from Viwa S. to Miss Pearle Byers
Transcription
Viwa. S.
Historical & Family Notes
This early postcard, sent to the young Miss Pearle Byers, offers a quick glimpse into her social world during her formative years. The card features a common street scene of the era from nearby La Harpe, Illinois, a familiar type of imagery used for brief communications. The message, simply “Viwa. S.” on the front of the card, is characteristic of the concise messages exchanged on undivided back postcards where space for writing was limited.
Originating from Burnside, a mere 11 miles from Carthage, this card likely came from a local acquaintance or friend, Viwa S., whose brief greeting is preserved in this collection. These everyday interactions paint a picture of Pearl’s life before her marriage to Harvey Sights, highlighting the connections she maintained within her immediate community.
The postcard itself is an excellent example of the transitional period in postcard history. Though postmarked in June 1907, after divided backs were permitted, its layout with “NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE” firmly places it stylistically within the Undivided Back era, suggesting an older card still in circulation.
Front — A scenic view of palm trees and other tropical foliage reflected in a tranquil body of water under a colorful sky, labeled “Ormond Key near Daytona.”
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Lady Lake, Florida — March 10, 1906
Sent From: Lady Lake, Florida
Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 970 miles (1560 km)
Postage: One cent United States stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin, green.
Card Details: Undivided back, typical for postcards sent before March 1, 1907.
Back — Correspondence from C.H.S. to Miss Pearle Byers
Transcription
Ormond Key near Daytona. Many thanks for your card, exchange again and again. Your friend C.H.S. Send me a small novel not complicated with love something of your own. Box of flowers.
Historical & Family Notes
This early postcard, dating from 1906, shows the sender, C.H.S., corresponding with Pearl Byers from sunny Florida. The reference to “Ormond Key near Daytona” places the sender on what was then a popular winter resort destination, indicating some travel or leisure activities. The message, though brief, hints at a warm and continuous exchange, stating “exchange again and again.”
The most intriguing part of the message is the playful postscript: “Send me a small novel not complicated with love something of your own. Box of flowers.” While signed simply “Your friend C.H.S.,” the initials “H.S.” align with Harvey Sights, Pearl’s future husband. The request for a novel “not complicated with love” could be a teasing remark between two individuals who are perhaps just beginning to navigate the complexities of their own budding affections, subtly hinting at an interest beyond mere friendship. The mention of “Box of flowers” further adds to this gentle flirtation.
This card provides a charming glimpse into the early stages of communication between Pearl and her circle, potentially even with Harvey Sights himself, before their relationship fully blossomed. The request for a personalized “novel” suggests an intimate understanding and shared sense of humor between the correspondent and Pearl, laying groundwork for a deeper connection in the years to come.
Front — A serene, sun-drenched palm-lined avenue with pedestrians strolling, labeled “Palm Walk, Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Fla.”
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Lady Lake, Florida — March 1, 1906
Sent From: Lady Lake, Florida
Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 955 miles
Postage: One-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp (green)
Card Details: Early Divided Back (postmarked 1906, before official US domestic authorization in 1907; sender utilized both address and message sections for correspondence)
Back — Correspondence from Ernest D. Sh. to Miss Pearle Byers
Transcription
Published in Ger. for Geo. R. Lawrence. Palm Walk, Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Fla. Merry Xmas for exchanging cards with Mr. Sights. Ernest D. Sh.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard, sent from sunny Florida in 1906, provides an intriguing glimpse into Pearl Byers’ social sphere before her marriage to Harvey Sights. The message from Ernest D. Sh. explicitly mentions “exchanging cards with Mr. Sights,” suggesting that Harvey was already a known figure within Pearl’s wider network of acquaintances and that social correspondence was a common practice. This early mention, even if indirect, foreshadows the deeper connection that would eventually develop between Pearl and Harvey.
The card itself, an early example of a divided back design postmarked a year before its official authorization for U.S. domestic mail, reflects the evolving nature of postcard communication. The sender’s decision to write the message across both the designated message and address portions of the card highlights a charming disregard for strict postal conventions, prioritizing the full message over proper formatting.
Such exchanges served as vital threads connecting individuals across distances in the early 20th century, fostering relationships and maintaining social ties. For Pearl and Harvey, this postcard from a faraway destination underscores the broad geographical and social contexts that shaped their lives before they became central to each other’s.
A scenic view of two people in a rowboat on the Ocklawaha River, Florida, surrounded by cypress trees draped with Spanish moss.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Lady Lake, Florida — May 11, 1906
Sent From: Lady Lake, Florida
Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers. Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 988 miles
Postage: One Cent, U.S. Postage, Benjamin Franklin stamp
Card Details: Undivided Back era (pre-1907), Address only on right side. Publisher: No. 1219. Frank Huld, Publisher, New York.
Back — Correspondence from Ernest Bligh to Miss Pearle Byers
Transcription
Off for the picnic How would you like this trip— Ernest Bligh.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard, sent to Pearl Byers in May 1906, offers a glimpse into her social life before her marriage to Harvey Sights. The sender, Ernest Bligh, describes a picnic on the scenic Ocklawaha River in Florida, asking Pearl if she would enjoy such a trip. This suggests a friendly relationship, perhaps a travel companion or an admirer, highlighting Pearl’s wider connections before settling down.
The Ocklawaha River, famous for its lush landscapes and cypress swamps draped in Spanish moss, was a popular tourist destination in the early 20th century. This postcard captures the allure of such natural beauty and the burgeoning trend of travel and leisure, with postcards serving as a common way to share experiences from afar.
While this card is not from Harvey, it enriches Pearl’s personal narrative, painting a picture of a young woman receiving mail from various acquaintances and experiencing life’s adventures, even if vicariously through postcards. The Carthage postmark indicates receipt on the same day as dispatch from Florida, a common yet intriguing postal anomaly for the era, suggesting a rapid journey or perhaps a timestamp discrepancy.
Front — A vibrant illustration of a banana tree’s large, pendulous blossom with emerging fruit.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Lady Lake, Florida — March 20, 1906 (Received LaGrange, Illinois — March 23, 1906)
Sent From: Lady Lake, Florida
Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 1150 miles
Postage: One Cent U.S. Postage (Benjamin Franklin)
Card Details: Undivided Back era (Pre-March 1, 1907), manufactured by B. D. Kropf, Milwaukee.
Back — Correspondence from Ernest D. S. to Miss Pearle Byers
Transcription
Letters and card received will write soon. Ernest D. S.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard, sent from a warmer climate in Florida, offers a glimpse into the diverse correspondence Pearl Byers received. While not from her eventual husband, Harvey Sights, it confirms Pearl was an active recipient of mail, maintaining connections with various friends and family members across the country. The sender, Ernest D. S., acknowledges previous correspondence, indicating an ongoing exchange.
The postcard’s depiction of a banana blossom highlights an exotic fruit for many Midwesterners at the turn of the 20th century. Such imagery provided a window into distant lands and unfamiliar flora, a common theme for postcards intended to transport recipients beyond their immediate surroundings. This particular card showcases the aesthetic appeal of nature photography combined with the practical function of postal communication during a burgeoning era of travel and correspondence.
Front — A colorized vintage view of St. James Cathedral in Toronto, Canada, with a tall Gothic spire dominating the skyline.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Toronto, Ontario, Canada — August 14, 1909
Sent From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 620 miles (1000 km)
Postage: Canada Post, One Cent, King Edward VII stamp
Card Details: Divided Back (post-1907)
Back — Correspondence from Unknown to Miss Pearl Byers
Transcription
Miss Pearl Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard, postmarked from Toronto, Canada in August 1909, offers a glimpse into Pearl Byers’ social circle and the broader world she connected with, even without a personal message. The absence of a handwritten note beyond the address suggests this might have been sent as a simple greeting or a souvenir from a traveler, perhaps a friend or family member exploring outside the United States. It highlights the growing popularity of postcards for casual correspondence during the early 20th century, enabling quick and inexpensive communication across significant distances.
The card’s journey from Toronto to Carthage, Illinois, underscores the extensive postal networks of the era. While the sender remains unknown, such a card could have sparked conversations or shared memories for Pearl, connecting her small Midwestern town to a bustling Canadian metropolis. This piece, though brief in its written content, contributes to the narrative of Pearl’s life, illustrating the everyday interactions and mementos that shaped her experiences before her eventual marriage to Harvey Sights.
Front — A view of the Chanute Public Library in Chanute, Kansas, with a handwritten note “Miss Pearl 3.5.08” at the top.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Chanute, Kansas — November 23, 1907
Sent From: Chanute, Kansas
Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers Carthage Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 410 miles
Postage: One Cent U.S. Franklin stamp, green
Card Details: Divided Back Era (1907-1915)
Back — Correspondence from Harvey Sights to Miss Pearl Byers
Transcription
Dear Pearl, Was glad to hear from you. We are having nice weather here this week. Had a good rain yesterday. I wish I was there to spend my birthday with you. Your Harvey
Historical & Family Notes
In this heartfelt message, Harvey Sights sends an early birthday wish to Pearl Byers, lamenting his absence for her December 4th celebration. The postcard, postmarked November 23, 1907, captures the anticipation of Pearl’s special day from afar, as Harvey expresses his desire to be with her. The front of the card depicts the Chanute Public Library in Kansas, where Harvey was at the time, offering a glimpse into the locale from which he sent his affections.
This card perfectly illustrates the challenges of courtship across distances in the early 20th century, relying on the postal service to bridge the miles between Chanute, Kansas, and Carthage, Illinois. The sentiment “I wish I was there to spend my birthday with you” speaks volumes about the growing bond between Harvey and Pearl, hinting at the romantic connection that would eventually lead to their marriage.
The small, handwritten note “Miss Pearl 3.5.08” on the front of the postcard appears to be a later annotation, possibly by Pearl herself or a collector, indicating a date that doesn’t align with the 1907 postmark but might mark a significant memory associated with the card. It further solidifies the postcard’s personal significance within Pearl’s collection.
Front — A hand-colored postcard depicting the brick Town Hall of Peabody, Massachusetts, with a large tree on the left.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Peabody, Massachusetts — January 20, 1907
Sent From: Peabody, Massachusetts
Sent To: Miss Pearle Byers, 318 N. Fayette St., Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 1,050 miles
Postage: One Cent U.S. Postage, Franklin (green)
Card Details: Divided Back Era (produced by The Rotograph Co., N. Y., City, Germany; postmarked before the widespread domestic Divided Back adoption in March 1907)
Back — Correspondence from M. M. Powers to Miss Pearle Byers
Transcription
1-18-’07 M. M. Powers.
Historical & Family Notes
This early postcard, dated January 18, 1907, and postmarked January 20, 1907, presents a hand-colored image of the Town Hall in Peabody, Massachusetts. Sent by M. M. Powers to Pearle Byers in Carthage, Illinois, it is unusual in that the only handwritten message beyond the address is the sender’s signature and the date on the front of the card. This suggests a very brief, perhaps casual or purely demonstrative, exchange.
The card is a product of The Rotograph Co., based in New York City but with manufacturing noted as “Germany.” This highlights the significant role of German printers in the early postcard boom in the United States. Its “divided back” design, with a dedicated space for the message and address, was officially sanctioned in the U.S. for domestic postcards starting March 1, 1907. This card, postmarked slightly before that date, indicates it was likely an imported card using the divided back format already popular in Europe, predating the American regulation.
Although the sender isn’t Harvey Sights, this postcard adds another piece to Pearle’s growing collection of correspondence, showcasing her connections across different parts of the country. It captures a moment in her life just a few years before her eventual marriage to Harvey, documenting the diverse array of people who communicated with her during her youth in Carthage.
Front — A vibrant garden path lined with white and pink marguerite hedges in Santa Monica, California.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Not visible
Sent From: Not specified by sender
Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers, Carthage, Ills.
Distance Traveled: Cannot calculate, sender’s location not specified.
Postage: Missing/Not applied (Domestic: One Cent specified)
Card Details: Divided Back era (post-1907), published by Edward H. Mitchell, San Francisco / Wellington, Kansas.
Back — Correspondence from W H Nelson to Miss Pearl Byers
Transcription
Dec. 4th 1909 Best wishes and many happy birth days yet to come. W H Nelson Miss Pearl Byers Carthage Ills.
Historical & Family Notes
This festive postcard, dated December 4th, 1909, marks a special occasion for Miss Pearl Byers: her birthday. The sender, W H Nelson, extends heartfelt “best wishes and many happy birth days yet to come,” highlighting the tradition of celebrating milestones through handwritten notes. The front features the picturesque Marguerite Hedge in Santa Monica, California, an intriguing choice for a sender likely from further east given Pearl’s Illinois residence, suggesting a souvenir from travel or a purchased scenic view.
While this card doesn’t explicitly involve Harvey Sights, it captures a glimpse into Pearl’s social circle and the importance of personal connections during her formative years. These early birthday wishes underscore a period of her life before her eventual marriage, emphasizing her individuality and the network of friends and family who celebrated her. It’s a reminder of the simple yet profound ways people connected across distances in the early 20th century.
Front — A scenic view of the American Falls at Niagara Falls, New York, with the Upper Steel Arch Bridge and tourists on Goat Island.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Niagara Falls, N.Y. — August 14, 1909
Sent From: Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Sent To: Miss Pearl Byers, Carthage, Ill.
Distance Traveled: Approximately 580 miles
Postage: U.S. POSTAGE ONE CENT green stamp, featuring a profile of George Washington.
Card Details: Divided Back era (1907-present), allowing separate sections for message and address.
Back — Correspondence from Frank to Miss Pearl Byers
Transcription
Niagara Falls, N.Y. Aug. 14. To fine Pearl, Great. Frank.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard from Niagara Falls to Miss Pearl Byers in Carthage, Illinois, provides a glimpse into Pearl’s social circle before her eventual marriage to Harvey Sights. Sent by a sender simply identified as “Frank” on August 14, 1909, the brief message, “To fine Pearl, Great,” suggests a casual yet warm acquaintance. Niagara Falls, then as now, was a quintessential destination for scenic wonder, often associated with romantic getaways and honeymoons, though Pearl was still a young, unmarried woman at the time of this correspondence.
The simplicity of the message, a common characteristic of early 20th-century postcards, doesn’t reveal the nature of Pearl’s relationship with Frank. He could be a friend, a family member, or perhaps even a suitor before Harvey Sights entered her life more prominently. Regardless, the card serves as a charming piece of ephemera, documenting a moment in time when Pearl was receiving greetings from various individuals and locations, contributing to the rich tapestry of her personal history.
Front — A hand-tinted postcard depicting the Royal Hotel and a coastal road in Auchterlochan, Kyles-of-Bute, Scotland, with a lone figure walking and boats moored by the shore.
Postcard Metadata
Postmarked: Wever, Iowa — JUL 22 1908
Sent From: Wever, Iowa
Sent To: Miss Pearle B. Byers, Carthage, Illinois
Distance Traveled: Approximately 23 miles
Postage: United States of America, One Cent (Benjamin Franklin stamp)
Card Details: Divided Back Era (post-1907)
Back — Correspondence from Ray to Miss Pearle B. Byers
Transcription
Hello Pearle when are you coming over in this country again. I expect me from not waiting before I have biansy two. Ray.
Historical & Family Notes
This postcard, featuring a picturesque scene of the Royal Hotel in Auchterlochan, Kyles-of-Bute, Scotland, offers a glimpse into Pearl Byers’ social connections prior to her marriage to Harvey Sights. Despite the Scottish imagery on the front, the card was postmarked from Wever, Iowa, and sent to Pearl in Carthage, Illinois. The sender, identified only as “Ray,” asks Pearl, “when are you coming over in this country again,” implying Pearl may have been traveling or was expected to visit Ray’s locale.
The message suggests a friendly, familiar relationship, possibly with a relative or close friend who lived a short distance away in Iowa. The casual nature of the message, despite the exotic foreign scene, highlights the common practice of using any available postcard stock for correspondence, regardless of its pictorial content, focusing primarily on the message itself.
This card is a small testament to Pearl’s life and relationships before she became Pearl Sights, showcasing her network of acquaintances and the broader world she navigated through correspondence, even as simple as a postcard sent across a short regional distance.
