June 7, 1911, postcard from Lisi to Josef. The two love-birds in a heart of roses, the clasped hands, and the forget-me-not blue flowers speak of love without saying a word.
Lisi has made up her mind! One hundred years ago today, she sat down to write another postcard to Josef, probably in response to his desperate pitch (May 25, 1911) to come and marry him. Read it at
If you love me…
This strange land of America is so confusing: even the addresses make no sense. What part goes where? Despite the fact that she mixes up the street, state, city and house number on the postcard, it still gets to Josef. His heart must soar. Lisi is coming to America to marry him! She writes this postcard from Salzburg, where she has undoubtedly joined her employer, Mrs. Jickeli, at the family’s summer home.
Some background notes: Pentecost (celebrated the fiftieth day after Easter and marking when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus’s apostles) was a holiday in the Evangelische Lutheran church worth mentioning in her letter.
Herrn Josef Gärtz:
Orchard Ill St. 1550
Chicago, North America
Beloved (Dearest) Heart,
I have spoken with Kathi and mother on the 2nd Pentecost day. Am I right—that you want to marry there [in Chicago]? I should do what I think is right.
How will [the trip] work out in the end? Is there anything I’ve forgotten to ask you in the letter? Please, answer me immediately. I have already spoken with the madam [probably her boss, Mrs. Jeckeli] that I could leave before autumn. But please let me know clearly what I must do. Then I will make all the arrangements.
When will we two return home? Or are we going there to stay? What is your thinking about that? Please answer every question soon.
Yours,
Elisabetha
Salzburg, June 7, 1911
Despite not knowing if she is going to live in America just for a short time—or for the rest of her life, Lisi is taking the plunge. What she takes on her journey—coming up.
I love these old-world post cards. We found a few in my grandmother’s attic. Even now when sending cards to my cousin in Germany I’m confused with the address. It seems so simple but for me it’s counter-intuitive. Although the zip is always the key to any delivery.
As you know, I’ve loved following this story. I can’t wait to read what Lisi decides to take. I’m amazed that she made this commitment without knowing whether or not she was going to remain in the U.S. permanently. How great that this is the 100th Anniversary!
Thanks, Sandy and Kathy, for stopping y. I agree — these postcards are luminescent — and as much so today as a century ago! I wonder if any other readers have had an experience in which they made a decision based on emotion — not really knowing the facts and how what they didn’t know could affect their lives?
I can’t imagine communicating such big decisions via postcard. Sometimes I wonder how different our ancestors’ relationships would have been if they’d had the communication tools we do.
It’s an impossible question to answer. They wouldn’t have been the same people. Our communication tools bring the world along with us at every step. We’re never out of touch. We don’t even have to worry about meeting someone at the right exit at the mall (a huge mazey-mix-up potential when I was a kid. Now we just call – “Hey, where are you?”) The drive, the passion to change their lives — the sexual values (sex couldn’t even be whispered about) — It’s like trying to imagine how we would have fared in the middle ages. One philosopher I… Read more »
Linda-
I love this story – I can just see it on Masterpiece Classic!
Thanks, Margel! More to come.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!!