annieb123's Review of Snapshots and Short Notes

by Kenneth Wilson

Snapshots and Short Notes examines the photographic postcards exchanged during the first half of the twentieth century as illustrated, first-hand accounts of American life. Almost immediately after the introduction of the generic postcard at the turn of the century, innovations in small, accessible cameras added black and white photographs to the cards. The resulting combination of image and text emerged as a communication device tantamount to social media today.

Postcard messages and photographs tell the stories of ordinary lives during a time of far-reaching technological, demographic, and social changes: a family's new combine harvester that could cut 40 acres a day; a young woman trying to find work in a man's world; the sight of an airplane in flight. However, postcards also chronicled and shared hardship and tragedy - the glaring reality of homesteading on the High Plains, natural disasters, preparations for war, and the struggles for racial and gender equality.

With a meticulous eye for detail, painstaking research, and astute commentary, Wilson surveys more than 160 photographic postcards, reproduced in full color, that provide insights into every aspect of life in a time not far removed from our own.

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Images and Messages of Early Twentieth-Century Photo Postcards is a well curated survey of the picture postcard and associated history. Due out 15th June from the University of North Texas Press, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

There are rare postcards here reproduced along with fascimiles of the handwritten notes from the original senders. I found it fascinating to see the words written by people more than a century ago. I think they had more impact because they were everyday observations about life and love and even trivialities ("Had fine luck. Be home Tuesday midnight. Stay at Mays").

The book is arranged thematically starting with a general introduction and history of the rise of the postcard and its use as a means of communication before and during WW1. The second part of the book contains the postcards and messages, arranged by diverse subjects.

The author includes a comprehensive bibliography and links for further reading. There is also an index.

I loved these little glimpses into a vanished world. The emphasis is on American postcards, but there are a number of postcards and photos of European subjects (especially those sent in and around WW1).

Well written and engaging. Five stars. This would make a superlative gift for history interested readers, philatelists, ephemera fans, and the like.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Snapshots and Short Notes

by Kenneth Wilson

Reviewed by annieb123 on Jun 11, 2020

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