Biographical Sketch

This extensive collection of early and unusual greeting cards was originally donated to librarian Janet Reed.  The collection included 1 letter, 10 misc. cards and 20 valentines.  The collection was a gift from Mrs. Jessie Hodge.  Other acquisitions have increased the collection, including a donation of cards by Beebe Brewster.   The collection is comprised mainly of cards designed by Louis Prange and Raphael Tuck. 

Sources and Further Reading 

Research was done on the cards by Gwen Mayer, descriptions and designer biographies are available. 

Scope and Content

This collection is wholly comprised of greeting cards from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some are bound in scrapbooks.  The greeting cards are divided by occasion, with a collection of unknown cards.  The collection also includes research done on the card collection, including online sources and handwritten notes.  The collection is not dated other than a note citing the acquisition of the collection being  February 28, 1948 .  The greeting cards have not been identified by designer or date. 

Series Descriptions

Series 1.  Background, 1948 & 2002, 1 f.

This series contains a note regarding the gift of the collection dated  2/28/48 .  

Multiple printouts of history and research information on the greeting cards. 

Series 2. Birthday Cards, n.d., 1 f. 

This series contains four cards. 

Series 3.  Christmas Cards, n.d., 20 f. 

This series contains 71 cards. 

Series 4.  Mother’s Day/Father’s Day, n.d., 1 f. 

This series contains four cards. 

Series 5.  Easter Cards, n.d., 2 f. 

This series contains five cards. 

Series 6.  Reunion Letters and Regrets, 1959, 1946, 1930, 3 f. 

This series contains eight cards. 

Series 7.  Unknown Cards, n.d., 9 f. 

This series contains 34 cards. 

Series 8.  Valentine’s Day Cards, n.d., 17 f. 

This series contains 36 cards. 

Series 9.  Scrapbooks, n.d.  

Two scrapbooks containing more greeting cards. 

Series 10.  Card Box, n.d. 

Card box reading Prang’s Valentine prints on satin. 

Provenance

Gift of Mrs. Jessie Hodge to Janet Reed, Librarian of  Hudson Library and Historical Society, February 28, 1948.  Some also donated by Beebe Brewster.  Other part of the collection unknown.

Related Materials

Inventory

Box 1  

Series 1.  Background, 1948 & 2002, 1 f.

 

Series 2.  Birthday Cards, n.d., 1 f. 

B1 – 4 cards

Series 3.  Christmas Cards, n.d., 20 f

C1 -- 4 cards

C2 - 4 cards

C3 – 3 cards

C4 – 3 cards

C5 – 3 cards

C6 – 2 cards 

C7 – 4 cards 

C8 – 3 cards

C9 – 2 cards

C10 – 4 cards 

C11 – 4 cards

C12 – 4 cards

C13 – 4 cards

C14 – 3 cards

C15 – 4 cards

C16 – 3 cards

C17 – 3 cards

C18 – 2 cards

C19 – 3 cards

C20 – 6 cards

C21 – 4 cards 

Series 4.  Mother’s Day/Father’s Day, n.d., 1 f. 

MF1 – 4 cards 

Series 5.  Easter Cards, n.d., 2 f. 

E1 – 2 cards 

E2 – 3 cards 

Series 6.  Reunion Letters and Regrets, 1959, 1946, 1930, 3 f. 

R1 – 3 cards 

R2 – 2 cards 

R3 – 3 cards 

Series 7.  Unknown Cards, n.d., 9 f.

U1 – 2 cards

U2 – 2 cards

U3 – 3 cards

U4 – 4 cards

U5 – 4 cards

U6 – 3 cards

U7 – 3 cards

U8 – 4 cards

U9 – 6 cards (pieces)  

Box 2     

Series 8.   Valentine’s Day Cards, n.d., 17 f. 

V1 - 3 cards

V2 – 2 cards 

V3 – 4 cards 

V4 – 2 cards 

V5 – 4 cards 

V6 – 1 card 

V7 – 1 card 

V8 – 1 card 

V9 – 1 card 

V10 – 3 cards 

V11 – 3 cards 

V12 – 2 cards 

V13 – 2 cards 

V14 – 1 card 

V15 – 2 cards 

V16 – 3 cards 

V17 – 1 card

 

Series 9.  Scrapbooks, n.d. 

 

Two scrapbooks filled with greeting cards. 

 

Series 10.  Card box, n.d. 

Administrative Information

Clevnet Library Access Information:  

Copyright: 

Preferred Citation:  MS G14 

Processing Information:  Charlotte Blasier on  December 3, 2004

Notes: Collection to be identified and dated at a later date by a practicum student, intern or volunteer.