Friday, April 9, 2010

Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. , c. 1910

I'm taking a wild guess on the date, but the shirtwaists and the Gibson Girl hairdos provide a clue. As the caption on the card notes, this is the Home Office Building, N.Y.C.: "Part of the Actuarial Division. Nearly all records here are kept on cards, of which more than ten millions are filed in this room." This fabulous building still stands at 23rd Street and Madison Ave. See The Daily Postcard for exterior shots and more history.

Message in pencil on front:

I am better. Mama is sick. Papa is better. Marie is going to write. We have not heard from Grandma this week. --Virginia  
So Virginia is the working girl at Met Life, busy but still wanting to stay in touch with family. This was addressed to Miss Maud B. Beasinau in Gary, Maryland, but no stamp or postmark, so likely never mailed. Howard Co. in lower left, I guess is Howard County...


Thanks to Beth at The Best Hearts Are Crunchy for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.
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9 comments:

  1. viridianApril 9, 2010 at 12:32 PM

    Happy PFF! I've not seen a card like this, showing an office interior of this time period.

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  2. LiT Web StudioApril 9, 2010 at 1:42 PM

    gorgeous card! i'd place it a bit earlier than 1910 - the US issued the first divided back postcards in 1907 and this looks like an undivided back postcard...

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  3. AimeeApril 9, 2010 at 2:01 PM

    I really like this card. I agree with viridian...I don't usually see cards like this.

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  4. JoyApril 9, 2010 at 3:07 PM

    Ten million cards, wow, where are they in the room, am I missing something. Great and unusual card. I'd never cope with pen and ink and a white shirt, thank goodness for computers.

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  5. PostcardyApril 9, 2010 at 3:17 PM

    That's a great postcard of the office and working girls.

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  6. IreneApril 9, 2010 at 3:51 PM

    Great card, the card may have been mailed in an envelope. I often receive postcards that way, I think they actually arrive faster.

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  7. Sheila @ A Postcard a DayApril 9, 2010 at 5:54 PM

    I agree, it probably is earlier than 1910, more likely before 1907. It's intriguing to see a workplace of the time!

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  8. LindaApril 9, 2010 at 9:31 PM

    Thank you all for your comments! I'm just back at home, so I'll be able to check in and see what everyone else has posted for Postcard Friendship Friday.

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  9. Paul van YperenApril 10, 2010 at 7:57 AM

    Facinating to see first the interior and then the exterior of this building. Well done. Happy PFSaturday.

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