Monday, September 10, 2012

A Day to Rally

Today I'd like to share some images to mark Rally Day.
Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Copyright 1911 The Curtis Publishing Company
Copyright 1912 FM Braselmann

Are you familiar with Rally Day?
Before I started collecting Rally Day postcards,
I never heard of a Rally Day event.

Let me give you some clues:
It has nothing to do with auto racing...
Not even close to an event related to football...
Art festival?  No.
It is not a collegiate award ceremony.


These are all good guesses.
All these things come up on page 1
 if you do a Google search for Rally Day.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Form 2, The Westminster Press
Philadelphia, PA


Rally Day is a festival
that originated at the turn of the last century.
It typically occurs after the harvest has been completed 
and is used as a means of rallying students
 -- from cradle roll to senior students -- 
back to Sunday school.


According to the Congressional Library, 
children would receive pins, badges, postcards,
buttons, flags or ribbons
to spark interest in Rally Day 


This is the first Rally Day postcard that I acquired.
Who could resist these charming faces?

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Copyright 1910 by Geo W. Wilmot
The Methodist Book Concern

Carefully note a couple of things from the back of this postcard.
First, look at the postmark
Next, look at the date of the event

What do you think?
Did the card reach the recipient in time for the event? 

Today it seems unthinkable that a piece of mail
postmarked on November 7, 1914 at 5 PM
would be received in advance of an event
held the very next day on November 8, 1914. 

But, depending on location,
 mail would be delivered 3 to 5 times per day.
Yes, you read that right.
So this reminder would have been received just in time ... 
on the evening before the event!

Hope you enjoyed this bit of Rally Day memorabilia!



Until next time, live and love well.


This week I'll be sharing this post with
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

7 comments:

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Oh how cute! Thanks for telling us about Rally day. I don't have any of those postcards either. You must have quite a collection of cards! Have a great Wednesday! Gina

Sue said...

I don't think many people know about Rally Day from the past and it sure would not make it in today's world, sadly, but it is so interesting to know about. I like the postcard with the 2 kids tippy toeing to put the card in the mail slot.

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Oh, what a wonderful piece of History! I sure do love these little faces. Thanks for sharing something new for me to learn.
blessings,
Susie

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Wow, I never heard of Rally Day. Thanks for sharing your piece of history with us.

The Farmers Daughter said...

I've never heard of Rally Day! Wonderful history lesson--and wonderful post cards!

Unknown said...

Being a serious collector of Valentines and related ephemera you would think I would have seen some of these Rally Cards..nope..this is the first time I have even heard of this. I guess I will have to look at my next postcard show. Love the faces of the children.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh these are so darn cute! I have never heard of Rally Day. All of the childrens faces are just precious. I enjoyed seeing and learning about these so much! Thanks so much for sharing them with Share Your Cup.
Hugs,
Jann

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