A truly multi-purpose postcard by Paul Gerhardt. The sender could fill in the blank, a nod to the fact that elite customers—Christian, Parsee, Hindu, Muslim—all had their own words to add after “Happy”: Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Navroze, indeed whatever you wanted, even Birthday. The title also works perfectly, with no annotation, to describe a woman thrilled to be holding a sickle after harvest.
<p>Postmarked March 4, 1905. Addressed to Col. And Mrs. [Charles] A. Gibson, 2713 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. [Recto, handwritten] “Bombay, India, Feb. 5, 1905. 13,000 miles from 2714 Sac[ramento] St. Had a fine voyage from Egypt.- weather cool. – Usually 100o here and no breeze from the Sea.- Pop. 900,000- Interesting city – Very Oriental About 80 Different Styles of Fancy Turbans worn. Hotels all crowded. Will be 5 weeks in India or more then to Ceylon.- We are now 1⁄2 way around the world. Wish you were with us. How’s little Charlie and the dog Jack. Best wishes from Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Marstens.”
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The Ravi Varma Press. 12.25x8.80cm.
Paper Jewels
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