Postcard to Esther Smith from California, c. 1909-1913

Postcard to Esther Smith from California, c. 1909-1913

Year: 1910

Postcard sent to Mrs. Esther Wells Smith (Roseburg, Oregon) from California, likely circa 1909–1913. The picture side reads “Tropical Yard, California.” This item comes from the Wells Smith Steel Box collection. The message references multiple family members and appears to involve the Wells sisters. Flora Wells (1855–1925; born and died in Elkton, Douglas County, Oregon) is explicitly mentioned, and the signature has been re-read: what first looked like “F.O.M.” is more plausibly “Sisters F & M” (or “Flora & Mary”)—a common space-saving shorthand seen on early 20th-century family postcards, where initials were understood by the recipient. If correct, this places Flora Wells and Mary Wells together in California at the time of writing and links their travel to the Smith side of the family as well. The card also references Lillie (a Smith niece), suggesting possible overlap of Wells/Smith relatives in California (possibly the Bay Area), pending confirmation through handwriting comparison with other postcards in this group. Dating notes: divided-back postcard; marked “Made in Germany” with Rosth & Co., Philadelphia & New York imprint—typical of post-1907, commonly pre-WWI production.