Past Cards: Rubber Mops

I’m introducing a new blog feature. It is kind of similar to my monthly post “Overheard In,” but instead of eavesdropping on individuals via listening, I am eavesdropping into the past through old postcards.

One of my many collections consists of old postcards that people have written on.

It is like a peek into that family’s soul sphere. Yes, I did just write “soul sphere.” And I made that word up. Blame my thighs. They are responsible for most of my bad decisions.

I pick the postcards that speak to me.

Only my thighs can understand the words, though.

Today we have:

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This post card was posted on September 12, 1947.

It reads:

Dear Jean, and all.

It is now 12:30 a.m. Just got in this is where I stayed last night and again tonight. Lots of people at fair today (Thu). I am out of rubber mops. Just taking mail orders now. Lots of love.

S. H. M.

Me too.

Or rather, what?

I looked up “rubber mops” to write this post, but cannot find anything on them in the 1940’s. I think it is a good thing that he ran out of rubber mops. I think S. H. M. was a rubber mop sales person or invented rubber mops? What could the initials S. H. M. stand for?

Swiffer Hater Man

Sells Hoarders Mops

Spanks Helper Monkeys (Sorry. Wrong post.)

Saves Happy Maids

I wonder if Jean received this letter and was excited that all the mops were sold. I wonder if she was going to get some of the mop money.

Had she been doubtful of this venture? Was he like, “Honey, I’m going to invest all of our money into mops made of rubber. And sell them at a fair.”

Did she cry into her mop made of yarn as he left for the fair?

So many questions.

I do not think I have ever used a mop.

I certainly have never purchased one (Swiffer user).

S. H. M. would be so disappointed in me.

Sob.

Oh great.

Now my thighs are crying.

Where’s a rubber mop when you need one?

I guess they were all sold out at a fair in the summer of 1947.

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P.S. I shared this on Savvy Southern Style.

And My Romantic Home.

11 thoughts on “Past Cards: Rubber Mops

  1. I love the phrase soul sphere! These postcards are amazing. What a peek into the past. i love all of your questions and scenarios regarding the content of the postcard. Jenni – you have such a writer’s brain. You were born to be a writer.

    • Thank you so much Cynthia! I really appreciate that! I love to write. I wish I could do it today, but my brain is mush trying to play catch up and get my life back in order. I love the old post cards. The old memories are so interesting. I have some I think are so funny, I cry a little in mirth when I read them. I cannot wait to share!

      Thank you again! You made my day!

      Hope your day is equally wonderful!

      Jenni

  2. This is fantastic, please do more of these!

    I’m with you, this postcard begs So Many Questions! What was a fair like in the 40s? Is it like today’s state fairs only with better dressed people? Were there big exhibition halls dedicated to things such as rubber mops where vendors sold their wares? WAS THIS THE FORERUNNER OF THE SHAMWOW?!??? I fear we may never know.

    • Thank you so much! I was not sure how this post would go over, so thank you so much for letting me know you liked it. I, too, would love to know more about the fairs and the set up of the vendors. I wonder if there were products that we could have used today that were too ahead of their times back then. I also wish people would still dress like they did back then. I cannot imagine what those people would think of our booty shorts. : (.

      Thank you again! I hope your week is magical!

      Jenni

  3. what’s most amazing is the cursive writing….kids today don’t know how to read or write in cursive, it’s a lost art! hmmmm, I totally agree with previous post, you’re a great writer!

    • Thank you so much Melodee. I really appreciate that. I found it amazing when each of my children did not learn cursive writing in their classes. It truly is a lost art. I might not necessarily look back on it with fondness. My cursive is horrendous and earned me the first “C” I ever received from my third grade teacher. Still bitter about it. ; )

      Have a jubilant day!

      Jenni

  4. I love getting little glimpses into the past. Not sure what a rubber mop is, but I love what you’ve imagined (ditto what Cynthia said about you being a natural writer).

    I was curious to know if the Pine Tree Inn is still there so I put the address into Google maps. It looks like it’s a daycare now.

    • Thank you so much Liana! Oh my gosh! I would never have thought to map it. Genius! And what a cool thing. Day care?! I bet they could use a mop! Thank you so much for doing that. That made my whole day!

      Have sweet dreams tonight!

      Jenni

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