Past Exhibit:
“Dear Pearl…”
Past exhibit: January 2020 to March 2020
This exhibit gives a glimpse into the life of one rural Ontario woman and the people that surrounded her with love and postal best wishes.
This exhibit was researched and curated by our co-op student, Brenna.
Pearl’s Postcards
More widely known as “Pearl”, Esther Annette Violet Dickey was born on July 29, 1891 to John and Maggie Dickey in Nestleton, Ontario. She married Arthur Henry Hanna in 1917 and had eight children.
Throughout her life she communicated with friends and family from down the road and across the ocean, via postcards. The front of the postcards featured charming images with creative greetings and a variety of scenes depicted, from WWI and attractions both close to home and across the globe, while the reverse sides of the postcards contained personal notes handwritten in pen and ink with news of the day, advise sought, and business or travel plans confirmed.
This is the story of Pearl’s “postcard conversations”, a glimpse into the life of this rural Ontario woman and the people that surrounded her with love and postal best wishes.
In the following transcriptions from several postcards, you will notice the lack of punctuation and capitalizations and bad spelling in some cases, while random words may be capitalized. This informal use of language seems to be common across postcards for the time period.
Dear Pearl, I received the Butter all okay and not quite enough salt otherwise it is lovely. Pearl I lent you the flash light last Friday so I guess some one has swiped it on you or would have had it before this you did not send me the bill from the Butter love to all Auntie.
—Lizzie Dickie
Dear Pearl, guess you will be surprised to hear from me was thinking about you so might as thought I would drop you a line we are all living and well. We have lots of sleighing out here now. How are all the people around Nestleton. Remember me to Bob & Mrs Dickey also your mother and father if you have time write me a good long letter soon and tell me all the news so Bye Bye from your old friend Anna Harrison
Dear Cousin, Our eggs are nearly done if I send down the crate could you fill it again for me. We are all well hoping you are the same. Lovely weather now, bye bye from Lilie
—Lillie Thompson (cousin)
Dear Pearl: Just a line hoping you are well as it leaves me just fine I suppose you go skating I go quite a bit how is all the folks remember me to all love from Gladys and soon Nellie xxxxx PS: forgive me for not writing before.
—Nellie Humpage (friend)
Dear Pearl, Will not be able to wheel down as my bycicle is broken and they haven’t got a horse here. that can go that far in a day. Do you think some person there could drive over next week or the week after. I hope you are all well. I am. Reid.
—Reid Dickie (younger brother)
Pearl. Wake up and send me some Post cards from your loving sister.
— Mina Dickie (older sister)
Dear Cousin, Lots of snow here and very cold. With love from Bertha to Pearl.
Monday night/ / Dear Pearl excuse a few short lines. I expected your mother n this weekend and I phoned to Mr Henderson but she was not there. When is she coming tell her our phone numbers North 6499 Hope you are all well. Walter
Sabbath afternoon Nov. 30 1913. Dear Pearl: I suppose you got a surprise yesterday morning when your mother and auntie walked in? Did you get my last letter? This is a lovely afternoon it rained here last night but it has turned out nice + fine now. Love + kisses. from Bertha.
—Bertha W. (cousin)
My Dear Parents few lines to let you know I am well and enjoying myself. Hope you are all well. How is Grandma? Give my love to her. I rec’d the letter yesterday morning. Many thanks for sending it to me. I enjoyed the EX very much. I have been there yearly and I expect to go again. I will go home Tues. eve. Much love to all. Good bye from Pearl
Dear Pearl I wrote you and Grandma a week ago and have not received letter. Are you all dead? Or what is the matter? Let me know at an early date from Auntie L.D.
—Lizzie Dickey (aunt)
Dear Pearl arrived safe + I have been working ever since I hope I shall see you soon down here have you had any more rain we hav’nt I have no new yet as I have not been out
— Emma (friend)
Dear Pearl, Why Pearl I am getting very impatient for a letter from you. How is all the folks around there. Excuse picture on this card but I am to busy to go to town. Be sure well, love Prene
—Prene (friend)
I thought you would like this picture you never seen Fraserville. All well hoping you folks are the same
— Happie Leclaire (friend)