A glimpse into the uncanny, the romantic, and the oddly specific—this original 1908 "Fortune Teller Postal" postcard is a delightful and eerie piece from the golden age of novelty mail.
Postmarked August 20, 1908, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and addressed to Mr. Herbert Neudorf of Kansas City, the card bears a mysterious and playful prophecy on the front:
"You were born under a lucky star — but should avoid blondes."
Illustrated with an iconic turn-of-the-century witch—broomstick in hand, black cat at her side—alongside a four-leaf clover and the ghostly portrait of a beautiful woman, this postcard blends superstition, flirtation, and humor with just the right dash of the occult.
The "Fortune Teller Postal" series was a short-lived but wildly popular line of novelty postcards produced in the early 1900s, combining colorful, often supernatural artwork with tongue-in-cheek personal prophecies. Sent as lighthearted amusements, they were part of a broader American fascination with spiritualism, astrology, and fate that permeated everything from parlor games to vaudeville acts.
On the reverse—a note from a woman named Georgia, who writes:
"Hello Herbert, Mabel will be in Kansas City Monday, I think. Have you seen Charles yet? When you see him say Hello for me. I received your pretty postale, and Robert his. I sincerely hope you are having a nice time. Georgia."
It's personal. Casual. Innocent. And yet paired with the strange message on the front, it begins to feel like something from a ghost story—an everyday correspondence made uncanny by the witch’s knowing smile.
Details:
Date: Postmarked August 20, 1908
Sent from: St. Joseph, Missouri
Sent to: Mr. Herbert Neudorf, Kansas City, Missouri
Message (front): "You were born under a lucky star — but should avoid blondes."
Artwork: Witch with broomstick, black cat, four-leaf clover, mysterious woman
Condition: Mild wear consistent with age; postmark and handwriting fully legible (although somewhat faded)
A perfect piece for collectors of fortune-telling ephemera, Halloween art, or Edwardian curiosities—this card is equal parts charm and enigma.
