Adventures of a Gnome - Vintage Postcards

The Adventures of a Gnome is a series of six picture postcards by Samuel L. Schmucker, published in 1907 by Detroit Publishing Company. There were several reprints, with different backs (divided, non-divided, blank) but also fronts. Each of the numbered greeting cards could have a short printed stanza, which we will present together with the images.

But first of all, a few words about gnomes. Essentially, they are so-called little people. They look like humans, but are much smaller, smaller than leprechauns or dwarfs, for instance, although their height differs from story to story. They are not vicious, but they are not always beneficial. In most cases, the word 'mischievous' describes them best. They can do little pranks, but in some cases also lead humans to great discoveries, often related to wealth.

If you see one or more gnomes, consider yourself lucky and be nice to them.

“Home is too stupid, dull, and dead; I’ll see the world,” a bold Gnome said.

But scarce his journey had begun. When he must dismount and run.

And flight seemed little to avail, For lo! A monster with a tail!

Forsaking land, with flesh a-creep. He faced new terrors from the deep.

And taking refuge on the shore. Was up against a foe once more.

But as the sun sank in the west. Wisdom he found, and Love and Rest.

Many years after Schmucker's death, over one hundred of his originals were found in the basement of a brewery. Among them, several unpublished designs, which may be part of different series, were disclosed. This is one of them:

Because each series consisted of six cards (or a multiplier of six), we can only guess if this design was rejected as one of the original six, or the artist made seven instead of six, just to be safe, or it was the first of the next series, or ...

We'll probably never know!