Sold the Farm for Almost Nothing

Miss Annie Booker, 1909

Oct. 09

“Dear Friend Annie,

Received your letter long ago. Hope you and Nellie are well. Brother Tommy (?) lives in Columbus. Have just sold the farm for almost nothing. Do you hear from your sister Selena? Aunt Jane had a letter from her not long ago about her granddaughter’s death. My daughter Eva attends night school studying shorthand. With love to both yours in truth.

Your Friend Mary E. Lightly

Goodnight. God is Love.”

This particular letter is packed full of information and overall has (what I feel) a somber mood. Mary’s cramped writing, short sentences, and earnest tone draw me into this particular postcard. I wonder what the connection between Mary and Annie was, and if marriage separated the two friends.

Mary’s chosen postcard; a solitary boat moored on a windswept beach, further adds to the tone of the letter. It’s a beautiful postcard, textured in a way that photo doesn’t show. The boat and ridges of the waves are raised giving the entire postcard a tactile and satisfying feel.

Front of Postcard