An interconnected family archive of six (6) original Real Photo Postcards (RPPCs) from early South Dakota, c. 1903-1912, one clearly postmarked De Smet, 1909. Most are addressed to the same household in De Smet - Miss Vera Cawley and Mrs. J.W. Burdick - and the messages keep returning to the same people (Vera, Myrtle, Grandma, the Burdicks). A rare, personal glimpse of one prairie family\'s social life for genealogists, local historians and RPPC collectors.
ABOUT DE SMET: De Smet, the Kingsbury County seat, was founded as a railroad town in 1880 and is famous as the \"Little Town on the Prairie\" of Laura Ingalls Wilder\'s Little House books - the Ingalls family settled there in 1879. Its 1910 census population was about 1,063, so these cards come from a small, close-knit community of that era. Other towns represented include Canton (Lincoln County seat) and Redfield (Spink County seat).
THE 6 CARDS:
1. Pioneer log house with earth-covered roof, two women, a chair and a dog in front on open prairie. Message to Miss Vera Cawley, De Smet, signed \"Florence\": \"Do you know anyone here?... Give my regards to your Grandmother and Myrtle.\" Postmarked OCT 10 (town partly illegible, ending \"...IXBY\"); 1908-series 1c Franklin stamp. Dated c. 1908-1912.
2. Ladies\' tea / luncheon party in a parlor decorated with Japanese paper lanterns, the women marked with check marks and identified around the border (names appear to include Mrs. Dooley, Miss Henderson, Mrs. Derby and Mrs. Manning). Sender notes the picture \"is not very good as it was a dark day\" and promises to \"send some more as soon as they are finished.\" Addressed to Mrs. J.W. Burdick, De Smet; Canton, S.D. postmark (October); 1902-series 1c Franklin stamp. Dated c. 1903-1909.
3. \"Vera\'s party\" - a large crowd of children and adults gathered at a newly built two-story frame house. Caption on front: \"Myrtle says ask Grandma if she can find her.\" Message mentions the house will look better once the porch is on. Addressed to Mrs. J.W. Burdick, De Smet; 1902-series 1c Franklin stamp. Dated c. 1903-1909.
4. \"New High School Bldg., Redfield, S. Dak.\" - Copyright 1909, photo by Johnson & Olson, Alexandria, Minnesota (regional RPPC photographers). Redfield postmark SEP 17. Message to Miss Vera Cawley, De Smet: \"This is our new High School here. How would you like to go to High School here? Tell Myrtle hello for me.\" Dated c. 1909.
5. Turn-of-the-century frame house with porch and shade trees. Postmarked De Smet, S. Dak., 1909. A local business note to J. Burdick, \"City,\" with a printed L.A. Dunklee, De Smet, So. Dak. return. Dated 1909.
6. Early open touring automobile seen from the rear, with a toddler in the seat, a dog beside him, a shotgun and game birds hung on the back - a great early automotive and hunting image. Long letter to Miss Vera Cawley, De Smet, that appears to mention Christmas gifts and candy from the Christmas tree, the initials \"J.W.B.\", Myrtle, and a No. 2 Brownie camera received as a birthday gift - the sender seems to have taken the photo. 1908-series 1c Franklin stamp; no legible postmark date. Believed c. 1908-1912 based on the stamp, the car and the related cards.
DATING NOTES: All are divided-back cards (messages on the address side were allowed from 1907). Two carry the ornate \"Series 1902\" 1c Franklin stamp (issued 1903, replaced 1908-09) and four carry the 1908-series 1c Franklin profile stamp. Dates above are based on postmarks, the 1909 copyright and the stamp series. Where a year is not legible it is given as a range.
CONDITION: Good to very good vintage condition with honest age. Crisp real-photo images; light toning, foxing and soiling; some corner wear, a corner chip on the parlor card and soft creases. Please review all photos - fronts and backs are shown.
Sold as one complete lot of 6 cards. Buyer pays shipping. Offers welcome.
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