1908 New Year Postcard, Made in Germany, Wessington SD Postmark

This postcard, published in 1908 and made in Germany, features an ornate 'Happy New Year' greeting adorned with holly and berries. The embossed design is typical of the early 20th century holiday postcards, showcasing intricate detailing and vibrant colors. The postcard is a Divided Back type, as indicated by the vertical line separating the message and address sections on the reverse side.

The postcard is postmarked from Wessington, South Dakota, with a clear date of December 31, 1908, and bears a one-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp. The back of the card reads: "Dear Kiddo, How you was? We are fine and dandy as they say. I was sorry to hear that you were not coming down to see us, but I suppose we'll have to live in hopes. As you see we have not gone west yet, but expect to start soon. We are house cleaning now. Hattie & Laura have their paper looks very nice. What are you doing nowadays? Hope you are well and your little nephew. Love from Ella."

This postcard documents early 20th-century communication and social customs, particularly the tradition of sending holiday greetings. It provides insight into personal connections and the use of postcards as a primary means of communication. Surviving examples like this offer valuable records of regional history and cultural practices.