Back in August, linked to Sepia Saturday 636, I wrote a post about the addresses where my great-aunt Gerda worked as a maid in Chicago back in 1903-10. The information I have about that comes from an album with postcards she saved from those years.
The cards show how during her first four years in Chicago, Gerda moved around quite a lot, until, before Christmas 1906, she ended up at 3328 Michigan Avenue; where she then remained until she went back to Sweden in 1911. Because she was also recorded at this address in the 1910 US census, I also know that her employers at this address were Otto L Schmidt with wife Emma, both of German heritage. They had three children in their teens. At the time of the census there were also three more white female servants besides Gerda in the household, plus a 'mulatto' chauffeur with wife and two children. I also know that Otto L Schmidt was a physician and a prominent Chicago citizen.
Most of the postcards in this postcard album are Christmas and New Year greetings, both from family back in Sweden and from friends in the new country - most of those probably other Swedish girls also working as maids in Chicago.
In this post I'm showing the cards Gerda got for Christmas & New Year 1906/07.
 |
| R.006.01 |
I've given up trying to decipher the text written in pencil all over the front of this card. The language used seems to be Swedish, though. The girl on the card is also dressed in a Swedish folk costume and holding the Swedish flag. However, the printed text on the front says "Sweden" (not "Sverige"), the trade mark on the back says "National Art Company N.Y.", and it was posted in Chicago - so I'm guessing it was sent by a fellow Swedish emigrant.
 |
| R.006.02 |
God Jul önskas af Anna Johnson
Merry Christmas from Anna Johnson
 |
R.007.01
"Merry Christmas" |
Säfsjö den 14/12 1906.
Kära du! Vi bringa dig en Julhälsning! Du dröjer som icke medelst bref låter höra av dig. Månne du fått det bref Oscar sände först på förlidna adressen? Vi hafva nu genom Ester fått din nuvarande adr. Vi må eljest alla godt. Hoppas du snart skrifver till oss att vi icke måtte glömma hvarandra. Jag sänder dig samtidigt härmed en liten jultidning, får väl sedermera höra om du får tillfälle läsa den. Hjärtliga hälsningar följa från oss alla. Din tillgifna Elin.
Säfsjö, 14 December 1906
Dear Gerda, Happy Christmas to you! We're waiting for a letter from you, and are wondering if you received the letter that Oscar sent to your last address? We have now got your current address from Ester. I hope you will write to us soon, so that we don't lose touch with each other. At the same time as this card I'm also sending you a Christmas magazine, I guess I'll learn later if you found the time to read it. Best wishes from us all. Yours affectionally, Elin.
[Elin was Gerda's sister-in-law, married to her brother Oscar]
 |
| R.007.02 |
 |
| R.008.01 |
 |
| R.008.02 |
 |
| R.08.02B |
 |
| R.08.02B |
En god Jul och ett gott Nytt År önskas dig från Annie
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you from Annie
 |
| R.09.01 |
From Agnes Andersson
 |
| R.09.01B |
 |
| R.09.02 |
from Anna Johnson
 |
| R.09.02B |
 |
| R.010.01 |
 |
| R.010.01B |
 |
| R.010.02 |
Snälla Gerda, du har väl hört att jag tog platsen och skall börja den nästa torsdag. Jag var inte ute igår, jag var rädd för rängnet. A Happy new Year från din vän Tekla [?]
Dear Gerda, I hope you have heard that I took the job and will start next Thursday. I didn't go out yesterday, I was afraid of the rain. Happy New Year from your friend Tekla [?]
 |
| R.010.02B |
Going with the theme "wireless" communication... ;-)
This communication was definitely wireless, and such beautiful postcards they are. I particularly love the one with the mistletoe bouquet, and I'm struck by the lovely New Year's cards, which are not typically sent now unless one is late with the holiday cards. Wishing you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMolly, it's the same here with New Year greetings, one doesn't see many cards printed especially for New Year nowadays.
DeleteSuch great memories for your relatives and their friends. Thanks as always for posting. Happy Solstice/Christmas/New Year! Oh and Hanukkah! I'm trying to be inclusive.
ReplyDeleteHappy 'Everything' to you too, Barbara! :-)
DeleteA beautiful collection of 1907 holiday postcards & I love your description of them as "wireless communications". Indeed they are! Very clever! :))
ReplyDeleteThanks La N. I'm glad Alan used the word "wireless" in his prompt - I'd have had more difficulties with "radio"!!! :))
DeleteAll delightful relics from a different time. The two elves trying to fatten the pig is an interesting cliche which I've seen before. Do the red caps depict a Swedish folklore elf or gnome or is it a more Scandinavian cliche? I was also intrigued by the Swedish girl and flag on the first card and recognized the date 1906 as coming just a year after the Dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden. Could it be a political card too? It makes me wonder it the postcard publisher produced the same image with a Norwegian flag too. When I looked up Swedish immigration I learned that Chicago once had more Swedes then than many Swedish cities. It seems that in that era many national groups were striving to define or preserve their heritage.
ReplyDeleteMike, about the elf/gnome etc in Swedish folklore, I suggest you read this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisse_(folklore) A lot of different traditions have been woven together through the centuries, and still keep changing...
DeleteAs for the card with the Swedish flag and traditional costume, I suppose it can be seen as an expression of romantic nationalism, but I'd say for Swedish emigrants in the US more general nostalgia than politics. I doubt anyone would see it as related to the dissolution of the union with Norway, as it was Norway that broke free from Sweden and not the other way round. If there was indeed also a similar Norwegian card printed, that may have a stronger ring of political nationalism, though.