The postal card is in good condition with typical age-related toning. The front features the clear 'NEW HAVEN, CONN. OCT 2 1885' circular date stamp and the 'CASTILE, N.Y. OCT 3 1885' receiving mark. The full message from the reverse reads: 'New Haven. Oct. 2. 1885. / Dearest Mother, / I have been busy / all the week. hence, the reason / no letter from me. It just / occurred to me, as I was coming / from a grand to Mrs. Parker, / that I had not written any- / thing this week, so I hurried / back to write you a card, that / you may hear tomorrow, I will / write Sunday, or tomorrow. If I / find time. I have something / very interesting to tell you. / in my letter. Your cards / ive rec’d. Am so glad the / package reached you all / right, and that you are so / much pleased with it. / fattie was over last night / to play duetto. We don’t have / my lonely mother too. / Love to all at home. / Your daughter Winifred.'
This postal card traversed approximately 300 miles from New Haven, Connecticut, to Castile, New York, a journey that would have been accomplished by a series of interconnecting rail lines in the 19th century, likely through major hubs like New York City or Albany. The message, from a daughter Winifred to her mother, offers a glimpse into typical domestic life and communication in 1885, reflecting on a busy week and the receipt of a package. Winifred's mention of visiting 'Mrs. Parker' and playing a 'duetto' with 'fattie' highlights common social engagements and leisure activities of the era. New Haven, a bustling port and industrial city with Yale University, served as the point of origin. Castile, a smaller agricultural community in Wyoming County, was the rural destination. Today, New Haven remains a prominent city, while Castile retains its character as a charming rural village, popular for its proximity to Letchworth State Park.
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