Legend of the Spanish Moss poem, circa 1940

Subjects: Comics & Humor Forests & Trees
Card type: Linen
Date: c. 1930 (White Border)

Back of Legend of the Spanish Moss poem, circa 1940, c. 1930 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

The card pairs two views of Spanish moss draped over Southern trees with the printed poem "Legend of the Spanish Moss," a humorous origin tale about the Spaniard Gorez Goz and an Indian maid. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is not a true moss but a flowering bromeliad that hangs in long gray-green strands from trees in the southeastern United States and tropical Americas. The poem turns the plant's dangling, beard-like growth into the remains of Gorez Goz's beard.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pen

2-8-53 Hi Sweetie how are all to day we had rain last night I am sending you one of Floridas delicacies you can take it to school for luck. Get some palm seed keep them + we will plant them I leave Wed for Miami love & kisses Grandpa S.

PublisherCurt Teich & Co.

Legend of the Spanish Moss A villain there was named Gorez Goz Who journeyed here from Spain. The natives feared him much because His heart was set on a gain. Gorez espied an Indian maid Who filled his fondest hope. He bought her for a yard of braid And a little bar of soap. The Indian maid was sore afraid And fled this bearded brute. She sped o'er hill and field and glade With Gorez in pursuit. At last the maiden climbed a tree; The Spaniard did the same. The lass was bent on being free; Gorez desired his claim! She balanced on a slender limb Then dove into the brook. She much preferred a morning swim To this bearded Spanish crook. The troubles of Gorez begin His naughty plans are queered, He snags the whiskers of his chin The branches hold his beard. The Indian maiden thus is free Gorez's life is a loss, But his beard lives on for you to see As dangling Spanish Moss! T. S. Y. --- POST CARD 253-F—TROPICAL FLORIDA SERIES GENUINE CURTECH "C.T. ART-COLORTONE" CHICAGO

Addressed to

Cathy Suter

729 Liberty Allentown Pa

Postcard record

Publisher	Curt Teich & Co.
Condition	Very good
Stamp	2c John Adams, red
Notes	Linen-textured stock; no white border; printed poem and illustrations fill the card. Postmark: ORLANDO FLA (date/time illegible). 1950s linen-era C.T. Art-Colortone card; message dated 2-8-53; light edge wear, stamp slightly torn at right.

Cite this card

Legend of the Spanish Moss poem, circa 1940, postcard, c. 1930. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/legend-of-the-spanish-moss-poem-circa-1940. Accessed October 24, 2026.