Vintage Thanksgiving postcard lot of 6 — a rich and varied grouping from the Golden Age of postcards, circa 1908–1911. Five cards are postmarked and used; one is unposted but inscribed 'Priscilla, Thanksgiving 1908.'
The six cards showcase the full range of Edwardian Thanksgiving imagery: majestic single-turkey portraits, a harvest cornucopia scene with cornstalks and pumpkins, a humorous singing-turkey quartet with a Thanksgiving proclamation scroll, and a boy-with-turkeys farmyard scene.
Together they make a wonderful collector's lot or a seasonal display grouping with genuine documented history.
Details
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Item: Lot of 6 antique Thanksgiving postcards
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Holiday / Theme: Thanksgiving / Harvest / Autumn
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Cards Included:
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(1) Silver-gray ground, large turkey with fan tail, 'Thanksgiving Greetings' in red script, 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' sign; Series 72 E noted on back; back unposted but has significant age toning/foxing — see photos
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(2) Harvest scene — cornstalks, pumpkins, squash, lake view above; turkey with iridescent plumage below between hanging corn; 'Thanksgiving Greetings'; Thanksgiving Series No. 3 noted on back; postmarked Decatur Michigan Nov 23 1909; addressed Miss Thresa Eichler, South Haven Michigan; written by 'Goldel & Charlie Decatur RFD Mich'
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(3) Large turkey on country path with dark tree background, 'Thanksgiving Greetings' in gold script; back postmarked Flint Michigan Nov 24 10AM; addressed Fred E. Dockham, Kingston Michigan RFD; written 'How is the farm and family?'
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(4) Singing turkey quartet — four turkey heads close-up with open beaks, gold wheat and ivy, pumpkin, sheet music scroll reading 'Thanks to him who spared our living / We're here, we're here till next Thanksgiving'; wax seal emblem; gold border; back postmarked Saginaw Michigan Nov 27 1911; addressed Mr. Enid Eger, Osceola Indiana RFD 2; message reads 'Hello, how are you getting along / I am fine and dandy / how are all the rest / tell them I said hello and best regards'
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(5) Mother turkey with chicks and boy reading Thanksgiving Proclamation at fence; 'Thanksgiving Greetings'; back postmarked Ohio; addressed Miss Lenora Shoup, Vickery Ohio; written message visible
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(6) 'Glad Thanksgiving Greetings' — large realistic turkey in autumn landscape with blackberry brambles, 'May the day be fine / Your appetite finer / and the Turkey the finest'; back written only 'Priscilla / Thanksgiving 1908' — unposted; N601 series notation
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Era: Approximately 1908–1911 (postmarks and inscriptions confirm)
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Publishers: Series 72 E; Thanksgiving Series No. 3; N601 noted on individual cards
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Postmarks: Decatur Michigan Nov 23 1909; Flint Michigan Nov 24; Saginaw Michigan Nov 27 1911; Ohio postmark visible
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Size: Standard approximately 3.5 x 5.5 inches; landscape format cards also present
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Sold as a lot of 6
Condition Grade: Fair
Positives
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Silver-gray turkey card: Strong front color and detail; 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' sign clearly visible
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Harvest cornucopia card: Vivid color, rich harvest imagery, clear Decatur Michigan postmark
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Country path turkey card: Good color, fine feather detail, Flint Michigan postmark clear
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Singing turkey quartet card: Highly distinctive and humorous image; gold border intact; Saginaw postmark and Indiana address add cross-state interest
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Mother turkey with boy card: Charming farmyard scene, Ohio postmark present
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'Glad Thanksgiving Greetings' turkey card: Strong realistic turkey illustration, good color
Issues / Wear
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Silver-gray turkey card (Series 72 E): Back shows significant age toning and foxing spots — front displays well but back condition is Fair; noted in photos
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General age toning across all cards consistent with 110+ year age
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Five cards postally used with handwriting, stamps, and postmarks on backs
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Some light edge and corner wear consistent with era and age
See all photos for detail — sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
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Near Fine: Minimal to no wear; appears unposted and unhandled
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Very Good: Light wear only; displays well; minor flaws noted
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Good: Honest wear consistent with age and use; all features present; clearly noted flaws
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Fair: Heavy wear, damage, or significant flaws; listed at reduced value
Collector's Notes
The singing turkey quartet card is the standout of this lot — four turkey heads belting out a Thanksgiving hymn over sheet music is genuinely rare and humorous imagery that collectors remember.
The cross-state provenance is also notable: a card mailed from Saginaw, Michigan to Osceola, Indiana in 1911 adds a real sense of geography and connection. The 'Glad Thanksgiving Greetings' turkey is one of the finest realistic turkey illustrations of the Edwardian postcard era — the feather detail and autumn landscape are exceptional.
The 'Priscilla / Thanksgiving 1908' inscription on the unposted card gives it a quiet personal charm.
Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)
- Photo-verified condition (no surprises)
- Packed with our protective packaging standard
- Ships in 1 business day
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Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions
