This very precious card is postmarked Baile Átha Cliath (Dublin) and dated 3 June 1944. Although it's very much the worse for wear, it's special to me for a number of reasons. First of all, it was sent to my mother while she was alone waiting for my father to return from the war. Secondly, I only found it a few days ago, and thirdly it was sent by someone named Alice, which is the name of my new granddaughter.
It is one of Valentine's "Jennie Harbour" postcards. Jennie Harbour was a great illustrator of children's books. She also produced a lot of designs for postcards, usually in an art deco style and mainly for Raphael Tuck's postcards. This isn't art deco, but pretty all the same. Jenny Harbour is a little mysterious though, because it seems that very little is known about her.
It seems like there is little information about most illustrators.
ReplyDeleteThis is a special card. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice card and a nice story behind it!
ReplyDeleteSo many artists are unknown and unrecognized. Yet their paintings and drawings give so much pleasure to so many people.
What a wonderful card and how wonderful that you found it and that it means so much to you.
ReplyDeleteNow this is definitely a postcard I would hang on to. You must do some more research on Jennie. What a special thing to find, almost makes me want to go through a few more of my mothers boxes ... almost.
ReplyDeleteFinding it when you have a new grand-daughter by that name feels like an example of kismet!
ReplyDeleteEvelyn in Montreal
Oh, I'm jealous. This card is stunning despite its condition. If it weren't part of your family history I'd try to convince you to part with it. :)
ReplyDeleteOh so cute.....
ReplyDeleteI love this postcard.
Have a beautiful weekend
That is amazing that you just found it! The name coincidence gives me the goosebumps. I agree with Evelyn. What a special special card Robin!
ReplyDeleteBoy I wrote Robin instead of Sheila. I really have lost my blogging mojo, haven't I? I wish that I weren't so emotionally pooped:)
ReplyDeleteI too am in search of more Jennie Harbour information. I only became aware of her after purchasing two signed prints at a yard sale. Any other info regrading her would be appreciated.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful special post card
ReplyDeleteYou can see some of Jennie Harbour's work and information about her on my website below. I'm writing a book about her which will contain many previously unknown facts. I hope this is helpful to you.
ReplyDeletehttps://sites.google.com/site/jennieharbour/
Thank you for the link. I see my own image there, creases and all, among the others you have collected. Maybe you could acknowledge the source of the images?
DeleteOh...I forgot to mention also that, the majority of the pictures on my website are of Harbour prints that I have actually purchased. There are relatively few, such as your own, which came to me through other sources. I was also very touched by the story behind your card. Many of the cards in my collection hold stories similar to that of yours and I find it truly touching that so many people, especially during war time, used Jennie Harbour;s works to express their love to those those dearest to them. Thank you for sharing this very special memento.
Delete