Here’s a lovely card with Christmas bells and holly, and “framed” scene of a home at sunset in winter. I like how the greeting is two-toned in red and gold, and the rustic (this word is starting to be used a lot here at Laurel Cottage) gold border, which does not appear to be meant to represent birch bark, but reminds me of it nonetheless. The card is addressed to:  “Mr. Frank Paul, Kimbal & Wabansia Ave., Chicago Ill.”

The sender wrote:  “Merry Xmas and a happy New Year to you and the bunch. A. F. Kreft. P.O. Box 1414. Vancouver B.C.”

A.F. Kreft was found on the 1911 Canadian Census for Vancouver:  Albert F. Kreft, born in the United States, November of 1878 or ’79, year of immigration 1910; wife Martha, born December 1884, also in the U.S., year of immigration the same. Arthur’s occupation is difficult to read (photo bug? ha ha, nooo…photo eng? Yes.) The 1910 U.S. Federal Census for Sheboygan, Wisconsin shows this couple, both born in Illinois. Albert’s occupation is listed as Photo Engraver, and he is working for a photo engraving company. His WWI Draft Registration card (1918) shows that at that time he and Martha were living in Chicago, his middle name is Frederick, and he was working for the Columbian Engraving Company. Martha’s maiden name is Laser per an Ancestry.com family tree reference, which is funny since decades later engraving is often done with lasers.

The addressee was found on the 1910 census for Chicago:  Frank Paul and wife Rose, both born about 1844; and their children, Frank, Jr., Tony, Josephine and Joseph. All born in Austria, year of immigration 1888. Frank is a saloon keeper, Frank Jr. (age 22) is a bar tender, Tony (age 17) a bookkeeper, and Josephine (age 15) a milliner, working at a store. (Wow, every one is working except for the youngest, who is thirteen. Of course, Rose is working in the home.) The house number is not given but appears to have been on N. Kimball Ave. at the cross street of W. Wabansia Ave.

Divided back, embossed, used postcard. Postmarked December 19, 1912 from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Publisher unknown.

Price:  $15.00

Sources:  Year: 1911; Census Place: Vancouver City, Vancouver, British Columbia; Page: 5; Family No: 46. (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1910; Census Place: Sheboygan Ward 3, Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1739; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0111; FHL microfilm: 1375752. (Ancestry.com)

 Registration State: Illinois; Registration County: Cook; Roll: 1504078; Draft Board: 84. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. (Ancestry.com)

Year: 1910; Census Place: Chicago Ward 27, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T624_271; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 1211; FHL microfilm: 1374284. (Ancestry.com)