Vintage Comic Humor Postcard Lot Set of 3 — 1940s–1953 WWII Military, Hunting, Dog Humor, Mailed with Handwriting, Dexter Press Tichnor L.L. Cook

A set of three vintage comic humor postcards from the 1940s and early 1950s — each one different in style, publisher, and story. Two were mailed and carry real handwriting, postmarks, and stamps.

One is unused. Together they make a small, interesting bundle of mid-century American humor ephemera.

The Three Cards

Card 1 — "Boy! Am I Dehydrated!" (Dog at Fire Hydrant)

• Publisher: Colorcraft, made by Dexter Press, Pearl River, N.Y. — No. 77
• Back marked: "Place One Cent Stamp Here / Made in U.S.A." — one-cent postal rate dates this to pre-1952, likely 1940s
• Image: Cartoon dog tied to a fire hydrant with a garbage can behind, looking frustrated
• Condition: Deckle edge card; colorized cartoon art; general age toning and wear consistent with era
• Status: Unused / unmailed

Card 2 — "I Gotta Use Mustard on These Dogs, Too!" (Military Soldier)

• Publisher: Tichnor Quality Views, Boston, Mass. — No. 70489
• Image: Cartoon soldier in camp with steaming feet in a foot bath, referencing "dogs" (slang for sore feet)
• Status: Mailed — handwritten on back by Pvt. Richard Hilbourne, A.S.N. 35232970, 8th Student Pre Sq., Buckingham A.A.F., Fort Myers, Florida — sent to Miss Violet Schnicke, 311 Fairview St., North Canton, Ohio
• Message reads in part: "A funnier from me sending you my new address. I'll have a good life. I sure wish I was home right now with you all... I'm still going to school and don't know when I'll get home but soon I hope. Write me. (Dick)"
• This is a genuine WWII-era mailed card from an Army Air Force enlisted man — the handwriting, military address, and "Place One Cent Stamp" postal marking all confirm the era

Card 3 — "You Know — I Got a Feeling I'm Gonna Get My Goose" (Hunters and Deer)

• Publisher: © L.L. Cook Co. 1950, Milwaukee, Wis. — Distributed by The L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee. Code L.C. 34, artist initials S.V.A.
• Image: Black and white ink cartoon — two hunters at a marsh aiming at ducks while a deer leaps over them from behind
• Status: Mailed — postmarked East Tawas, Mich., Aug 17, 1953 — 3-cent Thomas Jefferson stamp affixed. Sent to Mr. & Mrs. Don Graham, 3139 Ray St., Saginaw, Mich. Signed "from the Pringles"
• Message reads in part: "Fishing is just grand... cottage is right on the lake... breezes switch but I like my fish. The picture shows the future you have."

Details

• Item: Set of 3 vintage comic humor postcards
• Publishers: Dexter Press (Pearl River, NY); Tichnor Quality Views (Boston, MA); L.L. Cook Co. (Milwaukee, WI)
• Era: Approximately 1940s–1953
• Size: Standard postcard size, approximately 5½ × 3½ inches each
• Status: 1 unmailed; 2 mailed with handwriting, stamps, and postmarks
• Suggested Use: Vintage ephemera collection, WWII collector, postcard collector, humor ephemera display, framing, scrapbook or journal use
• Sold: As a set of three

Condition Grade: Good

Positives

• All three cards intact — no tears, missing pieces, or significant damage
• Cartoon art on all three cards is readable and largely clear
• Both mailed cards carry original handwriting, stamps, postmarks, and addresses — intact and legible
• WWII military card handwriting is clear and the military address is fully readable
• 1953 Michigan card carries original 3-cent stamp and East Tawas postmark
• L.L. Cook hunting card has strong black and white ink illustration

Issues / Wear

• Card 1 (dog/dehydrated): significant age toning and yellowing throughout — this card shows the most age; deckle edge is intact but card has a worn, aged overall appearance
• Card 2 (soldier): general age wear and handling marks; postal use consistent with era
• Card 3 (hunters): light wear and handling marks; otherwise clean
• See all photos for detail — sold as pictured. Sold as a set of three.

Collector's Notes

The standout piece in this set is the WWII-era military humor card — mailed by Pvt. Richard Hilbourne from Buckingham Army Air Field in Fort Myers, Florida, a real WWII training base. The handwriting is personal and warm, and the military address is specific and dateable. Cards mailed by servicemen during wartime carry a layer of history that unused cards simply do not. .

A small bundle worth having for anyone who collects ephemera, WWII material, Michigan history, or mid-century humor.