1916 Vintage Postcard 'Any Sort of Ink Will Do' WRITE Illustration Pennsylvania

The Standout 1916 'WRITE' Illustration Postcard Design

This original 1916 postcard showcases one of the most engaging and humorous illustrations from the golden age of American postcard art. The front features a delightful cartoon-style young girl seated at a simple green wooden table, surrounded by two prominent ink cans labeled in bold red and blue lettering as RED INK and BLUE INK. She holds a long paintbrush in her right hand while thoughtfully touching her finger to her lips, her eyes looking upward with a playful, mischievous expression that perfectly captures the lighthearted spirit of the era.

The bold text proclaims No matter if it's red or blue, Any sort of ink will do. WRITE in large, eye-catching letters that dominate the right side of the card. This design was clearly intended to encourage correspondence during a time when sending postcards was a daily ritual for millions of Americans. The illustration style is typical of early twentieth-century commercial art, with bright colors, simple lines, and an endearing character that still brings a smile today.

Although this postcard carries no specific manufacturer brand name or model number visible on either side, the illustration itself serves as the signature feature that makes it instantly recognizable as a product of the vibrant 1910s postcard publishing boom. These cards were mass-produced yet each mailed example carries its own unique story, making this one particularly special with its preserved personal message on the reverse.

The Personal Message from Florence

Flip the card over and you are immediately transported to February 24, 1916, in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. The handwritten note from Florence reads: We are all still living yet. The folks started to come over on Saturday and the sleighing was too bad! We were out for a sleigh ride last night. will write later. Florence. This charming update about family visits delayed by poor sleighing conditions yet still enjoyed anyway offers a warm, authentic glimpse into rural Pennsylvania winter life more than a century ago.

The card was addressed to Mrs Charles Benshine in Conyngham, Penna. and bears a clear postmark from Lehighton Open dated FEB 24 6PM 1916 along with a one-cent George Washington postage stamp. The combination of the whimsical front illustration and this heartfelt, everyday message creates a complete narrative that few modern items can match.

Historical Context of 1916 Postcard Culture

In 1916 the United States was deeply engaged in the postcard craze that had begun around 1907. Billions of postcards were mailed annually, serving as the primary method of quick communication before widespread telephone use. Rural communities like those in Carbon and Luzerne Counties in Pennsylvania relied on the mail for everything from family news to business. Florence's mention of sleighing highlights how horse-drawn sleighs remained essential for both transportation and recreation during harsh northeastern Pennsylvania winters, even as automobiles were beginning to appear.

This card captures a moment just before America's entry into World War I, when daily life continued with family gatherings, weather-dependent plans, and the simple pleasure of putting pen to paper. The message We are all still living yet suggests a sense of relief or resilience, perhaps in reference to health or the challenges of the season.

Condition Disclosure

This 110-year-old postcard remains in good vintage condition overall. It displays light spotting and age-related discoloration primarily on the reverse side from normal handling and storage over the decades. Minor creasing is visible in a few areas, along with the authentic postmark and stamp cancellation marks that add character rather than detract from value. Slight wear appears along the edges and corners, consistent with its age and journey through the mail system. Crucially, both the colorful front illustration and the handwritten message on the back are fully legible with strong contrast and no fading. There are no tears, holes, missing pieces, or repairs. The paper stock is the sturdy, slightly textured card typical of 1916 production and has held up remarkably well.

Dimensions and Materials

This is a standard-size vintage postcard measuring approximately 5.5 inches in length by 3.5 inches in width. It was printed on high-quality paper cardstock of the period, designed to be mailed without an envelope in many cases. The front illustration uses vibrant inks that have retained their color beautifully, while the back features the typical divided format with space for correspondence on the left and address on the right.

Why Collectors Value This Design

The illustration functions as the postcard's own brand identity, a cheerful call to action that was widely used in the era to promote the joy of writing. Owning this specific example gives you a tangible piece of that cultural moment. Whether you are building a collection of Pennsylvania ephemera, humorous vintage illustrations, or mailed postcards with personal stories, this piece stands out for its complete front-and-back narrative and clear provenance from Lehighton to Conyngham in 1916.

Display it in a simple frame, add it to an album alongside other local history items, or use it as inspiration for your own correspondence. Its small size makes it easy to incorporate into larger collections while still commanding attention with its bright artwork and authentic message. This is a true survivor from the peak years of postcard popularity and a wonderful example of how everyday communication from 1916 can still delight and inform us today.

 _gsrx_vers_1736 (GS 9.9.5 (1736))

Item specifics

From The Spiderpunk Web collection of authentic antiques and collectibles. Ships from the United States with tracking.