Romantic “man in the moon” postcards were especially popular in the early 1900s, often combining sentimental artwork with poetic captions and decorative gilt-edge borders. This colourful example from 1914 features an embracing couple beneath a star-filled sky, watched over by a large illustrated moon face.
The caption reads:
“May the stars and stripes we see above, forever be our flag of love.”
The wording gives the postcard a slightly patriotic American theme while still keeping the romantic tone typical of many Edwardian era greeting postcards. Cards like this were commonly exchanged between couples, sweethearts, or close friends as light-hearted keepsakes.
Posted from West Virginia in June 1914, the postcard still retains its original one-cent George Washington stamp and postal cancellation. The divided back design, which became standard after 1907, allowed both correspondence and address details to appear on the reverse side.
One of the most striking features is the expressive “man in the moon” illustration. Moon faces appeared frequently on postcards from this period and became a recognisable motif in romance and fantasy-themed designs. Combined with the gilt-edged border and deep night-sky colours, the postcard has a dramatic, theatrical quality that still stands out today.
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The handwritten message on the reverse adds another layer of social history and reminds us how postcards once served as a quick and affordable way to stay in touch across long distances.
Gilt edge postcards remain popular with collectors because of their decorative appearance and detailed printing techniques. Many examples from this era have survived for more than 100 years, although the metallic edging often shows wear due to age and handling.
See the notebook created from this original postcard — A lined journal featuring the vintage image from the Postcard Attic Collection.
