Weather Church novelty, Waltham, MA, circa 1940

Subjects: Churches Novelty & Mechanical Cards
Card type: Linen
Date: c. 1940 (Linen)

Back of Weather Church novelty, Waltham, MA, circa 1940, c. 1940 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

The image shows a small white church with a tall pink steeple and cross, set among green trees and bushes. Two birds fly overhead, and two figures walk a snowy path. The roof and steeple act as a humidity gauge: blue in fair weather, pink before rain or high humidity, and orchid when a change is due. The caption places the church in Waltham, Massachusetts, and the verse on the card explains the forecast. A novelty hygroscope, it was intended for indoor use, though the instructions note that winter air can keep it blue unless it sits between a window and storm sash or in an enclosed porch.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pencil

on note

PublisherShore Studios

WALTHAM, MASS. WEATHER CHURCH This church has roof and steeple BLUE When skies are fair and clouds are few; Their color turns to PINK, you'll see, For rain or high humidity; But when they have an ORCHID hue, Then you'll know a change is due. Place near Window or Door — Away from Heat #5 [Printed signature on image: JACKIE] --- This card is a hygroscope with surprising accuracy in fore-casting weather. It is intended for indoor use but for best results must be placed where it will have access to outside air. IMPORTANT: SPRING, SUMMER and AUTUMN the card functions well anywhere. In WINTER it may remain con-stantly blue unless placed in the air space between window and storm sash, in an outside foyer or enclosed porch, in an automobile, etc. © SHORE STUDIOS, Brigantine, N. J.

Addressed to

No address detected

Postcard record

Publisher	Shore Studios
Series	#5
Condition	Very good
Place mentioned	11 Harvard St, Waltham, MA, 02453
Publisher	Shore Studios, Brigantine, NJ
Notes	Linen texture; blue border; cream border; novelty weather card; #5; printed signature 'JACKIE'; publisher line '© SHORE STUDIOS, Brigantine, N.J.'. No postmark, stamp, or address — this is the printed back of a novelty hygroscope card (Shore Studios, Brigantine, N.J.); only a faint pencil scribble at the top edge. Undivided, no stamp box; front shows a white border and a fine linen-like screen texture.

Cite this card

Weather Church novelty, Waltham, MA, circa 1940, postcard, c. 1940. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/weather-church-novelty-waltham-ma-circa-1940. Accessed November 2, 2026.