Introduction

Welcome!

This site invites you to explore different types of couples through images on postcards and trade cards from the 20th century.  The categorizations featured illustrate just a few of the many subthemes within these postcards from the Bowden Postcard Collection, ranging from platonic to romantic and even inanimate couplings. 

  • Only to Dream of Her

    The image shows a young couple sitting on a green park bench kissing; appears to be a photograph that was colored in later. The woman is wearing a brown large hat decorated with flowers and a pink walking ensemble. Her white parasol is on the ground beside her feet. The man is wearing a suit that does not appear to have been retouched. Gold flower and vine motifs encircle the couple. The black text at the top is in a gold box and reads: "Only to dream of her, and on my pillow white In an eternal night sleep on for aye. Only to die for her and in the world to come With the true heart I've won, take there my rest."
  • Henry's Salve

    Front: Alphonso & Imogene an idyl of Henry's Carbolic Salve. Alphonso loved dearly the blithe imogene whose face was the fairest that ever was seen; but when he proposed, "alas", Imogene said "I would gladly accept and with thee would wed but with ugly eruptions your face is so scarred that all my life's future, with you would be, marred unless you remove them, so if me you'd have you must cure them with Henry's Carbolic Salve. Inside: Alphonso & Imogene an idyl of Henry's Carbolic Salve. Alphonso this remedy tries-- and again pops the question--nor does so in vain Henry's Carbolic Salve has swept his face clean of every unsightly spot that was seen as a compound for healing it's speedy and sure and for burns, cuts and bruises, readiest cure. Back: Beware of counterfits and imitations. Henry's Carbolic Salve, the most powerful healing agent ever discovered. Henry's Carbolic Salve heals burns. Henry's Carbolic Salve cures sores. Henry's Carbolic Salve allays pain. Henry's Carbolic Salve cures eruptions. Henry's Carbolic Salve heals pimples. Henry's Carbolic Salve heals bruises. Ask for Henry's and take no other. Beware of counterfeits. John F. Henry & Co.: Gentlemen: This is to certify that I have a very large, extended practice in this northern part of Iowa; that my business is devoted to a treatment of chronic cases, involving many which have been pronounced incurable by other Physicians. During the past year I have very freely used Henry's Carbolic Salve, in a number of very aggravated cases and it has given the very best of satisfaction. It is healing, emollient and antiseptic and never disappoints the physician or patient. Mason City, Iowa, 15th November. For sale by all druggists. John F. Henry & Co., Also proprietors of Dr. Wm. Hall's balsam for the lungs, Scovill's blood and liver syrup, baker's pain panacea, Dr. Mott's Liver Pills, etc. 24 College Place, New York.
  • In Press

    The focus of the image is a young couple sitting on a chair. The young woman is seating on top of the young man, who appears to be giving her a kiss. A Chinese screen sits behind them, with another young man in a pageboy cap leaning over to see the couple. The writing in the black box at the bottom reads" In Press The printer held her upon his knee. As fair a type as you'd wish to see. To objections he said with derision, "Tis now the hour of going to press, but I can hold the form I guess, to await an important decision.""
  • Not the Beauty of Tulips

    A young couple stands in a wooded area. The image appears to be a photograph that was later colored in. The young man has dark hair, a brown jacket, and blue pants. One hand is around her waist, holding a dark hat; the other is holding her hand. The young woman has lighter, potentially reddish hair and is wearing a stylish white summer dress. Their faces are centimeters away, as if they are about to kiss. The yellow text at the bottom reads: "Not the beauty of Tulips, Nor the taste of mint Julips, Can compare with your two lips, My beautiful darling." The image is framed with a thin yellow border.
  • Shoes

    PRICE LIST of ALL-WOODEN SHOES Sizes 6-13 - Children's $1.00 Per Pair Sizes 1- 3- Children's 1.25 Per Pair Sizes 4-9- Ladies' 1.50 Per Pair Sizes 4-13 - Men's 1.50 Per Pair Prices net cash with order. F. O. B. Factory. Postage- When ordering give regular Shoe Size. DUTCH WIND-MILLS Height including Fan - 7½ in. $ .25 each Height including Fan - 10 in. .50 each Height including Fan - 12 in. 1.00 each Decorated Blue and White, Red and White. MINIATURE WOODEN SHOES Length 2 inches. $1.00 Per Doz. Pairs Length 3 inches 1.00 Per Doz. Pairs Length 4 inches 2.00 Per Doz. Pairs Miniature wooden Shoes must be ordered one dozen pairs or more. Lettered special at small additional cost. DUTCH NOVELTY SHOPS P. O. Box 210 HOLLAND, MICH. HOLLAND'S WOODEN SHOE FACTORY On U. S.-31 - Corner River Avenue and 4th Street
  • Sweet Little Typewriting Maid

    A young man leans on the shoulder of a seated young woman, clasping her wrist and other shoulder. The two are indoors in possibly a study, as there are bookshelves and a chest of drawers in the background. Overtop of the image, someone has written in pencil "Raymond" above the young man and "Ruth" over the young woman. The young woman is wearing a dress typical of summer dresses of the early 1900s. The writing at the bottom reads: "You darling you sweet little typewriting maid And his arm around her shoulder he lovingly laid."
  • Sir Cupid Sings

    The postcard depicts a serene countryside house with an open window. A young female cherub with a pink flower in her hair is shyly looking out the window at a young male cherub sings and plays the guitar. The guitar has a blue ribbon tied to the top and a red cartoon heart on a string below. The text beneath the image reads, "Beneath your window Sir Cupid sings, Of hearts, and kisses, And wedding rings!"
  • Flowers

    The best toilet soap is Robinson's Oatmeal Glycerin. The Pioneer of the army of Oatmeal Soaps that now flood the country. The genuine Oatmeal Glycerine Soup is made of the very best materials, and is mild, agreeable, wholesome and cheap; For winter use it should take the place of all other Toilet Soaps. MADE ONLY BY THE INDEXICAL SOAP COMPANY, Robinson Bros & Co., - Boston, Mass
  • Moving Day in Possum-Town

    A pair of possums with briefcases are walking down a road through a forest to Washington, DC. The possum in the background has a tag on his tail that reads "Jimmy Possum New York". The possum in the foreground has writing on his briefcase that reads "Billy Possum Ohio". The road had writing that reads "March Fourth". At the bottom of the postcard is the text "Moving Day in Possum-Town".
  • Seated Young Couple

    An oval photo surrounded by a beige background. The photo shows a young man and young women are seated on a log. The man is in a brown suit and holds a rifle; the woman is wearing a pink blouse with white trim, white apron, and blue and white striped shirt. They appear to be in conversation.
  • Dressing For The Ball

    Front: DRESSING FOR THE BALL A ROMANCE OF COOLEYS GLOBE CORSET "THESE STAYS ARE HORRID!" SAID MISS SMITH WHILE DRESSING FOR THE BALL. "I LOOK, 50 FRIGHTFUL I DON’T CARE" IF I DO NOT GO AT ALL- AND CHARLIE WONT BE PLEASED I FEAR" HERE MISS JONES WHISPERED IN HER EAR. Inside: DRESSING FOR THE BALL A ROMANCE OF COOLEY'S GLOBE CORSET. MISS JONES ADVICE MISS SMITH HAS TAKEN. AND FINDS HER FRIEND WAS NOT MISTAKEN. IN COOLEY’S GLOBE CORSET AT THE BALL SHE WAS THE MOST ADMIRED OF ALL, AND CHARLIE TOLD HIS LOVE […] SO SHE LIVED EVER AFTER HAPPILY. Back: Ask for COOLEY'S Patent Clasp Protector! Found only in the GLOBE CORSETS. N. B.- Dealers are cautioned against infringements.
  • Rock Hall Couple

    Rock Hall, S. E. cor. 7th and market streets, Philadelphia, Is the place to purchase clothing for man or boy.
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