Jump to content

WW I era Military Christmas & Other Holiday Cards


world war I nerd
 Share

Recommended Posts

world war I nerd

Another 1918 Red Cross Christmas postcard showing Santa as a Doughboy doling out cigarettes.

 

Photo courtesy of an unknown eBay seller

post-5143-0-84277800-1545576863_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

The remaining six Christmas postcards for today were all printed in France for the YMCA.

 

This example, displays joyful French children cheering the arrival of St. Nickolas in an AEF biplane.

 

Photo courtesy of the New York Historical Society

post-5143-0-07563800-1545576996_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

The message, written by Rosco T. Sill, on the back of this French made YMCA card is dated December 8, 1918, and informs the recipient that he is still in the hospital recuperating from some sort of an ear and throat ailment. The artwork depicts a Doughboy being tutored in the French language by a French child. I've no idea what the significance of the black elephant is though?

post-5143-0-71204300-1545577305_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

French made YMCA Christmas card bearing French urchins examining the Christmas swag received from American Doughboys.

 

Photo courtesy of the Ephemera Society of America

post-5143-0-44441500-1545577608_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

French made YMCA Christmas card with a scene showing Sammies and tanks in action.

 

Photo courtesy of the Ephemera Society of America

post-5143-0-45176600-1545577758_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

The last card for today is ...

 

Another French made YMCA Christmas card showing the arrival of St. Nick wearing a French Army uniform with a sack full of American Doughboys in pursuit of a terrified German soldier.

 

I'll post another dozen or so WW I Christmas cards tomorrow.

post-5143-0-86901300-1545578043_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Salvage Sailor

Just prior to the entry of the USA in WWI.....

 

Company A, 2nd US Infantry Regiment, Fort Shafter, T.H. Christmas 1916

1916 2nd US Infantry Co A Fort Shafter 001.jpg

1916 2nd US Infantry Co A Fort Shafter 002.jpg

1916 2nd US Infantry Co A Fort Shafter 003.jpg

1916 2nd US Infantry Co A Fort Shafter 004.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another 1918 Red Cross Christmas postcard showing Santa as a Doughboy doling out cigarettes.

 

 

Photo courtesy of an unknown eBay seller

Santa delivering cigarettes! How times have changed!

 

Merry Christmas!

Mikie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

In respect to Santa and cigarettes, maybe they're not cigarettes. Perhaps Santa stopped by McDonalds and he's handing out fries instead.

 

This series of YMCA Christmas cards all featured a frame around the artwork. I'll be putting up four cards, but I have no idea how many cards were in this series. I suspect there are more though.

 

This YMCA card depicting a U.S. Navy warship was signed "Al, somewhere in France," and dated November 22, 1918.

post-5143-0-52493500-1545665378_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

The same frame, but inside this one is an American Doughboy giving a young French girl a doll and a miniature American flag.

 

Photo courtesy of the Ephemera Society of America

post-5143-0-92942400-1545665539_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

The primary message on this framed YMCA Christmas card, dated Paris, November 24, 1918, and signed "Hugh", is "Advance" … presumably towards victory.

post-5143-0-10240100-1545665701_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Based on the following six Christmas cards, it would seem that a number of organizations within the AEF and the U.S. Navy had unit specific Christmas cards printed for use by their personnel.

 

This example was designed specifically for the battleship U.S.S. New York.

 

Photo courtesy of the Ephemera Society of America

post-5143-0-21219000-1545666385_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

This Christmas card was provided to its men by the 328th Field Artillery Regiment, 85th Division, AEF.

 

Photo courtesy of the Ephemera Society of America

post-5143-0-21041600-1545666558_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

world war I nerd

Last card for today ...

 

A combined Christmas and New Year greeting featuring a stars & stripe motif with a nicely done watercolor portrait of a youthful American soldier superimposed over a wreath of holly.

 

I'll post the last of the WW I era Christmas cards tomorrow.

 

post-5143-0-64721300-1545667821_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...