WW I era Military Christmas & Other Holiday Cards

[world war I nerd]

Given that it's the so called holiday season, I thought I'd start a topic that's devoted to WW I era military Christmas & other holiday themed cards and postcards.

 

Feel free to add other WW I era Christmas Cards or postcards, plus any WW I era holiday cards or postcards (Easter, New Year, 4th of July, etc.) that are not Christmas themed.

 

Starting today, I'm going to post a dozen or so Christmas cards up to, and including Christmas Day. After Christmas, I'll post the other holiday military themed postcards that I've encountered.

 

 

I'll post the cards in what I think is chronological order (earliest to latest). A number of them are undated or do not bear a postmark, so it's anybody's guess if they were printed in 1917, 1918, 1919, or earlier.

 

Thanks for looking … World War I Nerd

 

 

An un-mailed "Star Spangled Banner" Christmas card that bears a 1904 copyright date.

 

 

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A 1905 copyrighted "On Furlough" Christmas card.

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This combined Christmas and New Year card was mailed from the battleship U.S.S. Tennessee in 1909.

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This navy themed Christmas postcards was mailed in 1913.

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1917 postmarked Christmas greetings from Camp Dix, sent by William G. Brown, HQ Company, 308th MG Battalion, 78th Division.

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One of many military Christmas cards designed by the prolific Archie Gunn. This example was postmarked December 21, 1917, Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina and signed by an Army recruit named Jeb.

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Another 1917 postmarked Archie Gunn Christmas card that was also mailed by Jeb from Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina.

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This 1917 postmarked Christmas card (also designed by Archie Gunn) was sent from Camp Devans in Massachusetts by an Army recruit Edgar Moore.

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The following three Christmas postcards were all un-mailed - designed by Archie Gunn - and presumed to have been printed in 1917 … On Christmas Day, a soldier imagining his snow covered home.

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Christmas wishes with a scene showing the three wise men.

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To greet you on Christmas day … Santa and soldier shaking hands.

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A typical generic military scene, in this case troops in formation, framed by holly and some Christmas ribbon. This Christmas card, as is the example that follows is undated and un-mailed. The imagery, however, is typical of other military themed postcards that were made in 1917.

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Another Christmas card from that series, this one features a military band.

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The front cover of a folding Christmas Card that was printed in France for the YMCA in 1917.

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The inside of the above YMCA Christmas card signed by Jimmie, a member of the 17th Engineer Regiment, AEF.

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The back of the above YMCA Christmas card bears a calendar for the upcoming year of 1918.

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Here is another example of the front of a folding YMCA Christmas card that was fabricated in France in 1917.

 

Photo courtesy of the Missouri Over There collection

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In this example, the second page of the above YMCA Christmas card is a calendar for the year 1918.

 

Photo courtesy of the Missouri Over There collection

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The third page of this YMCA Christmas card informs us that it was sent by Private George Mapuolo of the 447th Engineer Regiment, AEF

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On the final page, or back, of the above YMCA Christmas card is a festive sprig of holly.

 

Photo courtesy of the Missouri Over There collection

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The last Christmas card of this batch bears a 1917 Boston postmark and a patriotic flag and wreath theme.

 

I'll post an equal measure of WW I era Christmas postcards tomorrow.

[mikie]

More neat cards here. Are these from your collection? If so, do you use them for decorations around the house this time of year? I'd put some out of I had any.

Mikie

[world war I nerd]

Mikie, Yes, all but one of the above cards are from my collection, and seven of the following eleven cards are also part of my collection. Of the other four cards, one is an eBay seller's photo (I didn't win that auction), while the remaining three are courtesy of the New York Historical Society and the Ephemera Society of America.

 

And, so far, I've not used any of the WW I Christmas cards and postcards as decorations, but it's a good idea though.

 

More cards will follow tomorrow ...

 

Knights of Columbus Christmas Greetings sent by "Stan". The card has been stamped by an AEF censor and bears a December 27, 1918, Mullan, Idaho postmark.

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Knights of Columbus "On Active Service, A.E.F. Christmas greetings, sent by Laurence C. Davis. 1918 is the only thing legible on the postmark.

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Same as above, but unused.