Would you pay £1,000 for this post- card? - Picture Postcard Monthly

HOME COMFORTS FORTHE TROOPScontinued from page 31'(below, left) Everybody'sdoing it to keep our Tommieswarm' is the captionon this fine AgnesRichardson card showingSister Susie knittinga large blanket. It waspublished by JSalmon, No.749.hands. Many parishchurches set upLadies Work Parties tobuy or acquire sewingmachines to makearticles for the RedCross such as shirts,cuffs, towels andbody belts. Volunteerssewing forLady Smith Dorrien'sHospital BagFund sewed over50,000 small bagseach month inwhich woundedsoldiers couldplace their valuableswhile in hospital.Femaleseamstresses,depicted moreoften than not makingshirts, were epitomised onnumerous 'Sister Susie'postcards. This image wasinspired by the famous AlJolson wartime song whichappeared in 1914. The standardof needleworkwas often very poorand numerous comiccards were basedaround this theme.Such was the popularityof Sister Susiepostcards at the timethat many of the leadingartists like AgnesRichardson, MabelLucie Attwell andReg Carter wereencouraged by pub-Is this young ladtrying on his dad'shome made shirt?Posted to Blackpoolin 1915 thecard, drawn by T.Gilson, was publishedby EJ Hey &Co. and is No. 653in their 'Ludgate'Series.lishers to highlight herpatriotic efforts. Far fromtrivialising them she symbolisedthe sense of prideand appreciation for all thiswomen's work. For asGilson observed - 'Godbless Sister Susie'.Messages from the FrontRoger Lee chooses some poignantpostcards from his collectionThe cards featured here are reminders of those whoserved nearly a century ago in what was then knownas ‘The Great War’ from 1914-18. Ordinary menwho were called to fight for their country feature ona number of cards, either on the picture side ormainly in the messages sent. Perhaps the total sentreached millions, including the prolific WW1 silkembroidered cards and so many were sold by localFrench suppliers, too. This selection shows how inthe most impossible circumstances, serving forcesgenerally managed to keep in touch with those athome.This sepia "Daring Deeds"features Corp. E. Jones,who went under shell fireto sketch the Germantrench positions in orderthat British guns couldaccurately locate them!For this highly unusual actof bravery he won theDCM. Sent by a soldier inEngland, apparently enroute to France, the cardwas sent Post Paid fromSouthampton, May 1915with message, "Larry and Iare sitting on the boatwriting these cards. Justabout to leave. Love to allPercy." (To his mother).More postcards on this theme on page 45Don’t miss out on a single copy of PPM -take out a subscription or place a regularorder with your supplierA French sepia card showstwo French soldiers at thefront with a caption writtenon the wall: "avec vouset pour vous nous juronsde sauver la France," withsignature of Leon Gambetta,a former French statesman.The translationmeans, "With you and foryou we promise to saveFrance." Addressed to ason or brother in Sussex ,the message says simply‘Xmas 1915’ IBC 25/12/15with APO (Army PostOffice) dated 26 DE 15.This French coloured card, captioned bi-linguallysays, "The War - The Struggle for a few yards in theArgonne," with French soldiers. Postmarked APOMR 25 16 with the message, "More snow last nightand sharp frost. April showers this morning. Love toall." HECC32 Picture Postcard Monthly November 2009