When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Antique Humorous Illustrated Envelope — Man Chasing Chicken with Box of Salt
An unusual early illustrated envelope featuring a wonderfully whimsical scene of a man chasing a chicken while carrying a box prominently marked “SALT.” A smiling sun rises over the horizon in the background.
The printed caption reads: “IF YOU CAN'T CATCH HIM IN TEN DAYS, COME BACK TO”
The joke refers to the old folk saying that a bird could be caught by putting salt on its tail. The unfinished caption was evidently intended to be completed with the sender's name or return address.
The envelope is unused [though requires us to list it as 'Used' since was can't call a 165-year-old item 'New'], with no address, stamp, cancellation or evidence of postal use. The reverse is clean and unremarkable.
The exact date and printer are unknown. Based on its appearance and construction, it appears to be a late-19th- or early-20th-century novelty envelope, but it is being offered without a more specific date attribution.
There is some expected age toning, spotting and light edge/storage wear, all visible in the photographs. The humorous printed design remains strong and appealing.
A fun piece of early American illustrated ephemera with appeal to collectors of postal history, humorous covers, poultry/chicken memorabilia and advertising or novelty envelopes.
From the collection of Dr. Allan C. “Doc” Johnson (1889-1941) of Clinton, Massachusetts, an active stamp collector during the early 20th century. Doc's collection has remained with his family for more than eight decades.
Free shipping to USA addresses.
9404
