Joyful Birds

Postcard6A

Postcard6B

Mr. Whitehead
please send me 1 yard if [of] that lead colored goods like I got [?] cut [?] there Tuesday it was 25 per yard send it by return mail
Mrs. J [?]. H. Thornton

[addressed to] Mr. JW Whitehead
Chtham
VA

postmark unreadable
probably in the 1910’s

Note: lead [gray] cloth sample glued to postcard. The typography is so Victorian-esque, although I think the postcard is later. (By the way, two family members have birthdays in the next couple of days, so I’ll take this opportunity to wish happy birthday to them both!)

– From the J. W. Whitehead collection, Pittsylvania Historical Society, Chatham, Virginia

 

Returning From the Fields

Postcard8A

Postcard8B

Mr. Whitehead please send me 2 yds of white ribbon 1/2 in. wide Will bring or send pay soon.
Minnie Manning
Elba, Va.

Addressed to Mr. J. W. Whitehead,
Chatham,
Va.

Postmark possibly E[lba]
JUN
13
4 PM
1912
VA.

An artistic postcard, evidently No. 138 in a series.

– From the J.W. Whitehead Collection, Pittsylvania Historical Society, Chatham, Virginia.

Generically Gretna

Postcard7A

Postcard7B

Mr Whitehead. Please send me samples & prices [or pieces?] of pink and blue linens and pretty samples of gingham. Also white [sk??t] good..
Thanks.
Virginia Fitzgerald

Addressed to J.W. Whitehead & Sons
Chatham
Va.

Date possibly 1918, and postmark perhaps Gretna

Probably the postcard was made with a stock photo, and the name of various towns or cities was printed on the card.

– From the J.W. Whitehead Collection, Pittsylvania Historical Society, Chatham, Virginia.

 

 

 

Easter Postcard

Postcard9A

Postcard9B

Mr Wyatt
Please send me 1 yd of good [underlined] rubber [maybe? hard to read] by this evening mail

Sincerely
Ealine Strickland R. ? D. No. 1

Addressed to Mr. J.W. Whitehead Jr.
Chatham
Virginia

Postmark may read WITT,
Apr
15
1912
P.M.
Va.

It seemed to appropriate to post an Easter postcard on Easter. I wish everyone a joyful and blessed day!

– From the J.W. Whitehead collection, Pittsylvania Historical Society, Chatham, Virginia.

 

Virginia Hotel, Gretna, Virginia

Postcard5A Postcard5B

Dear Sir:

Thanks for trying to get the cloth, I have gotten it now.
Thanks to you.
Helene Fitzgerald

[column of numbers]
87
91
47
24
39
———
288
[addressed to]
Mr. J.W. Whitehead
Chatham
Va.

Postmark Gretna M? 27
191?
Va.

If anyone has information on the history of the Virginia Hotel in Gretna, please leave a comment!

– From the Whitehead collection, Pittsylvania Historical Society, Chatham, Virginia.

An electric lamp

Postcard4Postcard4B

Dear Sir
Will you Please get me a elictric [electric] lamp and send it in tomorrows mail. I guess you know what I mean I dont know the name of them but I went the bell lamp like they have hanging in the stores in town. truly
yours Russell D. Dunn [?] Java VA

[addressed to]
Mr. J.W. Whitehead
Chatham
VA

postmark Java July 9 P.M. 1913 Va.

Postcard is of Belle Grove Plantation, near Chatham, Virginia.

Electricity came to Pittsylvania County in stages. Some areas had it pretty early (presumably Mr. Dunn’s house in Java had it in 1913), and others did not get it until the 1930s (in fact, I have heard of houses being built without electrical service in the 1950s or perhaps even later).

Morotock Manufacturing Co. Factory, Danville, Virginia

Postcard3APostcard3B

Danville, Va., May 31 1912

Dear Sirs
We return thanks for your remittance amounting to $32.50 [?]
May we not fill another order for you, for Pants, Shirts and Overalls?
Yours truly,
Morotock MFG. CO.
W [?]

[addressed to]
Msrs J.W. Whitehead & Son
Chatham, VA

Postmark Danville May 31 2-PM 1912 VA

The postcard is interesting because of the interior view of the Morotock factory in Danville, Virginia. The ladies sat in rows in front of their sewing machines, hard at work.

From the J.W. Whitehead Collection, the Pittsylvania Historical Society, Chatham, Virginia.

Fashion Books

Postcard2A Postcard2B

Mr. Whitehead
Please send me May fashion book please send it at once.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs. Almeyda Shelton
R.F.D N.1
Gretna VA

[addressed to]
Mr. J W Whitehead & Son
Chatham
VA

Postmark unclear, perhaps Gretna Apr? 1914 or 1919? The postcard depicts Ninth Street in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Mrs. Almeyda Shelton probably wanted a fashion magazine, something like Harper’s Bazaar or others of that ilk, or perhaps a book of examples of sewing patterns.

Mrs. Almeyda Shelton’s postcard, circa 1919

Postcard1Afront Postcard1Backgray

Mr. J. W.  Whitehead: —
Please send me samples of your navy blue tafatta [sic], width & price. Please send them at once.
Mrs. Almeyda Shelton
R.F.D. #1. Gretna Va.
[addressed to]
Mr. J.W. Whitehead & Son,
Chatham,
Va.

Date of postcard cancellation unclear, perhaps Gretna, Jun? 23? 1919 or 1915?
Postcard printed by J.P. Bell Company, Lynchburg, VA.

The picture on the front of the postcard is of the Monroe School in Lynchburg, Virginia. If one looks closely, children can be seen in the schoolyard.

From the J.W. Whitehead & Son Collection, the Pittsylvania Historical Society (www.pittsylvaniahistoricalsociety.org ), Chatham, Virginia.