Vintage Thanksgiving Postcards: Turkeys and Auld Lang Syne
While I was searching for vintage Thanksgiving images, I came across quite a few postcards where the images included dead turkeys. I don’t mean cooked, on a platter turkeys. I mean dead, feathers being plucked, bodies hung upside down turkey images. While I know this was a common sight back in the day, why on Earth would you send someone a Thanksgiving greeting with the picture of a dead bird on it?? I mean, really?? Ugh.
Anyway, I hope that you can use one or more of these images in a crafting project. I really enjoy searching for vintage images, editing them, and sharing them with you. I am already researching plenty of vintage Christmas images {coming soon} and I cannot wait to share them with you as they are gorgeous!
Okay, back to the turkeys….
This turkey is standing proud and almost blends in with the pumpkin behind him! This image is from a vintage postcard dated 1907.
This is a unique image–from a 1911 postcard. I love the fruit basket.
This is one of my faves—-a postcard from 1909. The words on the front are lyrics from the song “Auld Lang Syne.”
The rendition of “Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg always chokes me up a bit.
Here’s a link to the song on Youtube:
Auld lang syne translates into “days gone by” or “old times” or “times long past.” Auld lang syne is actually the title of a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. There have been many translations of the original however you probably recognize the English translation:
Auld Lang Syne Lyrics
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give me a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
You didn’t know you were going to get a history lesson today did you? 😉 Personally, I like knowing the history of current traditions. If people sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s, I want to know why ya know?
The reason people sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve/Day is because the song represents endings and beginnings. Neat huh?
Speaking of endings, here is the final turkey image {see how I made that transition ;)}:
To save one of the postcards, click on the image and then save to your computer.
Terms of use for the images in this post
And even more Thanksgiving images!
Thank you for all the work you did to bring us these lovely postcards. And, I like the history lesson 🙂 Vicki.
lol my dad has several antique prints that are for hanging above a hunt board or side board in a dining room–they’re of dead animals after a kill. back then, people didn’t go to the grocery store to buy their food, so it wasn’t gross to see the animals displayed that way.
ps. yes, I was aware of the history of “auld lang syne”.