Early 4th Of July Postcards

Early 20th-century postcards manufactured for the Fourth of July were very popular. Thousands of colourful cards featured such themes as Uncle Sam, the Goddess of Liberty, eagles, cannons, flags, liberty bell, fireworks, Statue of Liberty, Native Americans, Revolutionary War figures, nautical subjects, and the nation's founders.

From the early 1900s the production of postcards neatly coincided with the Safe and Sane movement that was initiated in a number of major cities to get dangerous fireworks away from the public. Many cards demonstrated the seriousness of this issue but interestingly did so in a humorous vein. One popular card included the message: How to prevent your boy being killed on the Fourth of July - kill him on the third!

Postcards, for the most part, were typically sold in sets of six. Illustrators such as Ellen Clapsaddle and E. Nash were household names to those who collected these cards. Ellen H. Clapsaddle (1865-1934) was active in New York, and later in Germany in the early 20th century creating illustrations for thousands of postcards. Her focus was mostly children. She worked for the International Art Company and produced an imaginative series of Fourth of July cards.

"Greeting" cards often included verse that was similar to Fourth of July poetry published in newspapers at that time. The quality was mediocre at best. Examples include: "Day of flags and cannon and jubilee! Guarded well, gloried in, so may it ever be" and "Oh spirit of honor of freedom of peace! Guard well with a vigil that never shall cease."

The sense of guarding the nation's freedom and the idea of stewardship was a common notion that all shared and continue to share today. Still the 4th of July Postcards were the favorite of their day and are quite collectible in our times. The brilliant colours and the obvious patriotism that was prevalent in the United States during these periods shone through.

Patriotism is one of the central themes in America and even though times get turbulent the Americana postcards of the past and present still hold dear to the hearts of many Americans and provide reminders of past 4th of Julys.

Despite wars, social issues and political differences, Americans celebrate the birth of their country with honour and respect for the nation they love and are proud to be a part of. Looking at the history of the 4th of July postcards and the careful thought taken with the words used on the postcards are great ways to remember past celebrations and to share present ones.

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