Short & Possibly Sweet Birthday Wish Artwork

Retell Seller: An Ephemera Podcast

Retell Seller An Ephemera Podcast hosted by Angie, a reseller of 10 years with a love for paper trails. Join in every Wednesday, as she reads from a new, yet old, piece of ephemera. It's not always nostalgia but, it's always human.

All Episodes

Retell Seller: An Ephemera Podcast

Short & Possibly Sweet Birthday Wish

June 24, 2026 • Angie • Episode 21

0:00 | 1:43

Today I share from a card written in 1909, which feels equal parts apology, explanation, & afterthought, all wrapped in one sentence.

I'm sure we can all relate about forgetting someone's birthday. Join me as I share this Postcard Pause.

Website: https://retellseller.com/short-sweet-birthday-wish/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5O_arqnE6U

Newspapers.com Free Trial
Enjoy a free trial & start exploring what you're interested in

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

The content on this site is for storytelling purposes only.

Thank you for following along & don't forget to subscribe

All the links: https://campsite.bio/retellseller

YouTube: youtube.com/@retellseller

Newsletter: retellseller.com/newsletter/

Website: retellseller.com

Instagram: @_retell.seller_

Today's episode I'm calling a postcard pause, as it'll be really short. I have quite a few postcards which either don't offer up a lot of info outside of the message itself, or they aren't addressed at all, but the imagery or topic may be interesting to share.

Let's see what today's find has to say.

Today's postcard is indeed short. It's postmarked out of Stockbridge, Michigan, September 25, 1909. The postcard’s front has slightly raised purple violets and viney greenery, as practically all of my previous cards have. The background is a brown color and honestly looks a little dingy.

The bottom reads, "With Best Birthday Wishes," in gold, red, green, and purple lettering. The other side's written message does have some staining, and the stamp has been removed and torn off.

The card was printed in Germany, and it says,

"Give this to the kid, for I have forget it was her birthday."

I can't decide if it sounds apologetic or slightly grumpy.

The lack of explanation may be what makes it interesting. The writer managed to acknowledge the birthday, explain the oversight, and end the conversation in a single sentence.

How did it sound to you? Rushed? Matter of Fact? Apologetic? Grumpy?

Regardless, it was short and possibly sweet.

Thank you for joining me for this Postcard Pause. To catch more, visit the link in the show notes which will take you to the various ways you can follow along and connect. It’s not nostalgia. It’s human. May you find something worth holding on to.