As the Iowa Digital Library approaches the 100,000-item mark, we’re celebrating this milestonetemp by highlighting some of our favorite items from the collections.

Title: Hattie Jacobs’ postcard collection, 1908-1910
Creator: unknown
Collection: Noble Photographs Digital Collection

I am fond of old postcards because I like to read other people’s mail. A few from the Noble Photograph Collection grabbed me, all addressed to Miss Hattie Jacobs.

The back reads, “Hattie, do you indulge in such dreams? I’m surprised if you do. Ah, piffle. Billie”

On the back: “Dear H. Everybody is O.K. Mrs. Butler from across the street died last night. Too bad, is not it? Goodbye W.S.”
I am left wondering for whom W.S.’s heart is afire.

Why is he standing on a chair? If he wants to get next to her, why doesn’t he sit next to her?

Judging by her mail, Miss Hattie Jacobs must have been a lot of fun.

–Joanna Lee
Digital Library Fellow, Schoool of Library and Information Science