This humble artifact, an estate-related postal card from 1883, encapsulates significant historical information, touching on communication methods, postal services, business practices, and daily life in late 19th-century America.
Evolution of Postal Communication
The postal card we’re examining is a product of a revolution in communication that occurred in the United States in 1873. The U.S. Post Office Department introduced postal cards as a new, affordable means of correspondence. These cards, precursors to the picture postcards we know today, allowed people to send brief messages for just one cent, half the cost of a letter at the time. This innovation democratized written communication, making it more accessible to a broader segment of society and paving the way for more frequent and casual correspondence.
The card’s design is a testament to the aesthetic sensibilities of the late 19th century. The header, with its ornate POSTAL CARD lettering, showcases the intricate Victorian typography popular during this period. Below this, we find the instruction: NOTHING BUT THE ADDRESS CAN BE PLACED ON THIS SIDE, a rule that would later be relaxed to allow for the development of picture postcards. The pre-printed one-cent stamp features the profile of Liberty, a common motif in American postal design of the era, symbolizing the freedom of communication.
Postal Development in Small Towns
The postmark, which reads HARRISONVILLE MO. APR 12 1883, provides valuable historical and geographical context. It places our artifact in a specific time and place – Harrisonville, Missouri, in the spring of 1883. This was a period of rapid westward expansion and economic growth in the United States, and even this small town in Missouri was part of the nation’s burgeoning postal network.
Many such towns first received postal services through informal arrangements, often with a local store serving as a mail drop-off point along established routes. As towns grew, they typically gained official post office status. This progression usually coincided with the arrival of railroads, which revolutionized mail delivery speeds. Harrisonville would get its post office when local population growth, economic development, and transportation access added up. Local historical records or United States Postal Service archives would tell us more, especially how the town developed in the decades following the Civil War.
19th Century Business and Personal Affairs
The handwritten message on the reverse of the card offers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century business practices and personal matters:
“Sir, The amount of Probate cost now due on the Estate of Jefferson Long deceased is $34.73. Please remit the amount. Resptly, J.T. Lisle”
This brief note reveals how postal cards were used for business communications, including matters as serious as estate settlements. The specific amount due, $34.73, gives us an idea of the costs involved in such proceedings at the time. Adjusting for inflation, this sum would be equivalent to approximately $950 in today’s dollars. This significant amount underscores the financial impact of settling an estate in the 19th century, a process that could be costly even for modest estates.
For the recipient, Fred Long, this card likely carried emotional weight. Maybe it signified the final administrative tasks in laying someone to rest, a tangible reminder of his loss and the responsibilities he had completed. But we don’t really know how Fred felt or what the card meant to him. The card’s preservation suggests its importance to Fred in some way. Was Jefferson his father, or perhaps his son?
Why do we keep such mundane mementos? These objects serve as anchors to our personal histories, tangible proof of lives lived and challenges overcome. It’s human nature to hold onto connections to our past, even when they represent difficult times. In a world of constant change, these small, unchanging artifacts provide a sense of continuity with our past selves and to those who came before us.
Hints in the Handwriting
In an age before typewriters were common and long before digital communication, handwriting was the primary means of written expression. The flowing script on this card is more than just words; it’s a personal mark of the writer, J.T. Lisle.
The handwritten text and signature remind us of a time when a person’s handwriting was as distinctive and personal as their face. The ability to write at all was a professional skill, evidence of education at a time when it was not provided for the many. Modern handwriting analysis would reveal more insights into the writer’s social class and personality, adding even more information and intrigue.
The fact that important business could be conducted via a simple handwritten note on a postal card speaks volumes about the trust placed in the postal system and the weight carried by a person’s handwriting.
Past in Present Time
While methods have changed dramatically, fundamental human practice remain the same. We still seek efficient ways to communicate, conduct business, and create legal records of our transactions. The postal card has evolved into emails, text messages, and digital documents, but the core purpose – to facilitate the facts – endures.
This humble postal card from 1883 serves as a time capsule, more than just a relic of a bygone era. It is a window into our past, a mirror reflecting our progress, and a reminder of the life experiences we all endure in one way or another no matter our age or era. In our fast-paced digital world, it is a poignant reminder of the value of slowing down, examining the details, and appreciating the significance in the everyday artifacts around us.
The Posted Past 