John Fischer III’s “Random Golf Footnotes”
In the early 20th century, it was not uncommon to send golf-themed holiday postcards. I have attached two early Easter postcards of rabbits, bunnies and chicks with the necessary implements of the game.
The top card was printed in Germany and was unposted. Germany had the best lithography equipment and many fine cards were printed there even though the scenes may have been from other countries around the world. Germany ceased to be a center of postcard manufacture at the time of Word War I. This card with the chick caddying for the rabbit who is preparing to hit an Easter egg teed on a stump was printed and the gold highlights were added later and can be felt by rubbing a finger over them. The sentiment reads, “Easter Greetings.” I have seen this same card reversed with the rabbit on the right, but with the greeting being, “A Happy Easter.”
The second card was printed in the United States and was also unposted. However, on the back of the card is a short message in pencil, “Easter, 1916 from little Henry.” It may have been sent in an envelope or hand delivered. Many cards were unposted and saved in scrap books. This time the caddie is a bunny and the rabbit is getting ready to hit an Easter egg with the legend, “A Happy Easter.”
Enjoy the Easter weekend, and if you have a chance for golf, make sure the golf ball is round and not egg-shaped!