Safe To Go Back in the Water?

     One of the common paradoxes examined in old postcards is the conflict between people who go fishing in hopes of getting a bite, and then being shocked when they get one.  Dogs and mosquitoes are the usual sources of discontent, but the world of aquatic life offers creatures who get logical revenge on theContinue reading “Safe To Go Back in the Water?”

What Are Those Boots Made For?

     We seem to have been spending a lot of time lately on the sexual antics and/or misdeeds of our ancestors, and on my way to something else, I began to wonder about the old story of the walk home from the ride in the country.  You must know the drill: young man with aContinue reading “What Are Those Boots Made For?”

HERE It Is

     You will recall, from our last thrilling episode, that we were discussing a wildly popular postcard theme we discussed in this space some years ago: the “How Come You Haven’t Written To Me?” cartoon.      The expectation that when you wrote a card or letter you expected one back by return mail (an expectationContinue reading “HERE It Is”

Waiting at the Mailbox

     One of the nice things about doing a blog for years is the chance to go back to blogs which have appeared hereintofore and revisiting a topic with new information.  So postcards with wardrobe mal…no, no, come back.  We are ACTUALLY going to discuss one of the most popular of postcard sentiments: “Wen areContinue reading “Waiting at the Mailbox”

Over Exposure

     No, I think it’s time to move on.  We have by no means exhausted the subject of wardrobe malfunctions on bygone postcards, but there are other, more delicate,  subjects we can address in this special space.  (You have no idea how many new outhouse postcards have come into inventory.)      We have done enoughContinue reading “Over Exposure”

Fashionable Transparency

     No, we’re not quite done with our discussion of wardrobe malfunction gags on vintage postcards.  We have not even addressed transparency, and THAT, I know, is an up-to-date atter for discussion and debate.  I check those articles on transparency in business for useful photos, but maybe I’m missing something.  Anyway, this first postcard doesn’tContinue reading “Fashionable Transparency”

Feeling Down

     Some wardrobe malfunction jokes are relatively young.  This sort of gag, for example, is largely from the era when elastic replaced buttons for holding up the underdrawers.  I cannot claim to be much of an expert on fashion, but the lady on this relatively late issue of Cap’n Billy’s Whiz-Bang seems to have chosenContinue reading “Feeling Down”

Out On a Tear

     There was never any real plan to do a dissertation on the history of wardrobe malfunctions in art, even just in postcard art.  However, the possibilities of revealing accidents are limitless, and it is a fear common to most of us, regardless of class or gender.  As a mighty philosopher once stated, “Everybody’s gotContinue reading “Out On a Tear”

Keep Your Skirt Down; You’re a Big Girl Now

     In our last thrilling episode, we were considering the Windy Day school of Wardrobe Malfunction postcards.  These small cardboard jokes were aimed primarily at a bit more leg exposure than was allowed the average woman going about her daily chores.  But if the breezes did not cooperate, an artist could resort to more slapstickContinue reading “Keep Your Skirt Down; You’re a Big Girl Now”

Now You See It, Now You….

     I was going to write a quick and breezy column about the wonderful world of wardrobe malfunctions in bygone postcards.  Dropped pants, bathing suits torn in quite the wrong places…it was going to be a high class, high tone study of the humor of previous generations.      But there was a theme that wasContinue reading “Now You See It, Now You….”