The scene shows a child in a red hooded suit, whip in hand, beside a black cat curled inside a holly wreath. A toy house, horn, and mouse sit on the ground, setting up a small cat-and-mouse joke. The printed verse teases the recipient: being "By Santa Claus forsaken" would not make the child blue if Santa had taken "just that much more to you." Comic Christmas cards of the 1920s often used a child and pet to carry this kind of holiday ribbing.
Postcard Details
Message · English
give Baby George a good hug
and kiss for me
RITTEN
HERE
Dec 1923
Dec 1923
Dear Irene
I was glad to receive your
nice letter and sorry your teacher ~~mother~~ was
sick & hope she is better by now. and
hope you did not get the mumps from
brother. I am feeling better but Oh so
tired I have to help. Santa by painting
so much china & Uncle and I work
so late every nights we sent your X-mas
box yesterday hope it get there in time
Lots of love to all from Uncle & Auntie
Addressed to
No address detected
Postcard record
Series
1216
Condition
Good
Notes
Cream stock with scattered foxing; no publisher imprint visible on front.
No postmark or stamp; divided-back "POST CARD" ("THIS SIDE FOR CORRESPONDENCE" / "THE ADDRESS TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE") with "MADE IN U.S.A." and number 1216 printed at left. Handwritten date "Dec 1923" in the stamp-box area. Message in pen fills both halves; light edge wear and slight corner creases.
Cite this card
Child in red suit with black cat in Christmas wreath, 1923, postcard, c. 1923. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/child-in-red-suit-with-black-cat-in-christmas-wreath-1923. Accessed November 13, 2026.
