Comic Linen Postcard - Woman Needs a Pan Adjustment.

Some things just make you ask questions, and this one makes me ask "Why is this funny?".  I look at and I can find no reason for me to laugh or chuckle, but I do.  Every time.  If anyone knows why this is funny, please let me know.  I think it is, I just don't know why.

This is a comic linen postcard, probably from the 1940s, published by Tichnor Bros., Boston, Mass.

That's about all I can think to say about this postcard.

Only Enough Gas - WW II rationing - Linen Comic Postcard

This is a linen comic Curt Teich postcard.  It is circa 1942 (per the serial number in lower right), so that means it is World War II era.

It took me awhile to realize what this postcard was about.  It's a comic, but yet I didn't really see any humor in it, and comics usually make at least an attempt to be humorous.  But after some thought I realized that people in 1942 may have smiled at this - not because it was funny, but because it was so real.

The man in the car is pointing at his gas gauge, which is almost on empty, and basically complaining that he needs more gasoline, but the attendant refuses to sell him anymore, even though the gauge on the pump seems to indicate there's plenty to sell.  In WWII gasoline was rationed, and you could only buy so much in a given period of time.  I'm pretty sure that's what this card is about.

Just a little social history.

Update: Sold!

This is a linen postcard advertising Krieg Brothers Chevrolet, out on US Highway 79 in Thrall, Texas.  Thrall is a small town 35 miles or so north of Austin.  If you'd like a little history of Thrall (including a present day view of Krieg Bros Chevrolet), you can check out this site: http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasHillCountryTowns/Thrall-Texas.htm.

Linen cards were made from around 1930 to 1952, and I'd say this card is from near the end of that era, probably early 1950s.  I like that it advertises a specific business in a specific place, something that people around there remember.  I don't know the whole history of the business, but I'm pretty sure it not longer exists.  You look at a business like this, the impressive building, the activity, the people employed, customers coming and going and you think it'll be around forever.  Nope.

Also what is neat about this card is its condition.  This is a card which is at least 60 years old, and it still has sharp corners, bright colors, no damage or marks that I can see.  I'm extremely cautious about saying a card is in mint condition, but this one is close.  It is in much better condition than most cards from that era.

If you're interested in going to the listing for it just go to our eBay site and search for Thrall - you'll find it.

 

Update: Sold!

Dirigible Flying Over Lower Manhattan Linen Postcard

This is a linen postcard showing the lower Manhattan Skyline in New York City.  What I find interesting is the dirigible flying overhead.  There are lots of Manhattan Skyline postcards out there, from all eras, but not so many with dirigibles in them, and that makes this card kind of neat.

This card has the look of a white border (about 1918-32), but when you look closely, and tilt it a little, you see the ridges, so it's a linen card (about 1932-52).  I wonder if this was printed from an image originally used on white border cards.  I've seen old linens reprinted on chromes before, so it's possible a white border could be reprinted on a linen. 

Comic Linen Postcard - Love Thy Neighbor

This is a comic linen postcard, probably from the 1930s, perhaps early 1940s.  It was published by CurtTeich-Chicago, very big in postcard circles.  It depicts a couple of travelers at a campground.  It is also part of a series of 10 cards, though I have no idea what the other 9 cards are.

Linen postcards were popular from around 1932 to 1952 or so.  The cards get their name because they were made from ragstock, and you can see & feel the ridges in them.   Sometimes these cards have borders (like the previous generation white border postcards), and sometimes the ink bleeds all the way to the edges.  However the white border postcards have a smooth surface and linen cards do not.  Also, the colors on linen cards are generally brighter and more garish than earlier cards (and the later chromes for that matter). Subjects were pretty much anything you can think of, including comics.

Comics were drawn, sometimes even signed by the artist.  They frequently pushed the limits of risque-ness allowed during the era (you could buy these in any drugstore, after all).  Some barely hinted at it, and some did a lot more than hint. A few might have some strong social commentary.  Lots lampooned husbands & wives.  And some just had Scottish Terriers saying "Hoot Mon" to each other. 

Update:  Sold!