Alfred Holzman, a German immigrant, arrived in America in 1881, bringing with him entrepreneurial spirit and a keen eye for business opportunities. Nearly two decades later, in 1900, Holzman established his postcard publishing company in Chicago. The Alfred Holzman Company quickly gained recognition for its high-quality postcards, becoming a notable player in the burgeoning postcard industry.

During the first decade of the 20th century, postcards experienced immense popularity in the United States. Holzman's company capitalized on this trend, producing a wide range of postcards that captured the imagination of the American public. The company's success mirrored the overall growth of the postcard market during this period.

However, the postcard industry's fortunes took a dramatic turn in 1909, largely due to the unintended consequences of the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act. Signed into law by President William Howard Taft, this legislation aimed to lower tariffs but paradoxically resulted in increased tariffs on many items, including imported postcards. The impending implementation of the tariff sparked a rush among distributors to import large quantities of postcards, primarily from Germany, before the new rates took effect. This led to a significant oversupply in the market, causing prices to plummet and triggering intense price wars among publishers and retailers. Many businesses found themselves forced to dump excess inventory at greatly reduced prices.

Furthermore, the increased cost of importing postcards due to the new tariff made it less profitable for businesses to continue operating in this sector. The combination of market oversaturation and increased costs dealt a severe blow to the entire postcard industry in the United States.

The Alfred Holzman Company, despite its earlier success, was not immune to these market forces. The collapse of the postcard market in 1909 severely impacted the company's operations, and it struggled to maintain profitability in the face of these challenges. Ultimately, the pressures proved too great, and the Alfred Holzman Company closed its doors in 1910, marking the end of a decade-long run in the postcard publishing business.

Harry Hershfield brainchild of "Abie the Agent," debuted in 1914 and featured a Jewish car salesman named Abie Kabibble. The strip was one of the first in American comics to prominently feature a Jewish character and to explore themes relevant to the Jewish-American experience. These were known as Kabibble Cards.

The postcards featured humorous illustrations and captions, often depicting Jewish stereotypes in a light-hearted and affectionate manner. 

Harry Hershfield's Jewish heritage played a significant role in his work and personal identity. Born in 1885 to Jewish immigrant parents in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Hershfield grew up in a culturally Jewish environment that influenced his humor and artistic expressions. This background influenced his understanding of Jewish culture and traditions, which became a central theme in his work. He was known as "the Jewish Will Rogers".

Growing up in a Jewish community, Hershfield was immersed in the cultural and social aspects of Jewish life in America, which later provided rich material for his cartoons and comics.

Hershfield's most famous comic strip, "Abie the Agent," debuted in 1914 and featured a Jewish car salesman named Abie Kabibble. The strip was one of the first in American comics to prominently feature a Jewish character and to explore themes relevant to the Jewish-American experience. Hershfield's work often included elements of Jewish humor, characterized by wit, irony, and a focus on the everyday experiences and challenges of Jewish life. His cartoons resonated with both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences, bridging cultural gaps through humor.

As one of the early Jewish cartoonists in American media, Hershfield helped pave the way for future Jewish artists and writers. His work offered a positive and relatable depiction of Jewish characters at a time when such representations were rare. Beyond his cartoons, Hershfield was active in Jewish communal life. He frequently participated in events, wrote for Jewish publications, and supported various Jewish causes, demonstrating his commitment to his heritage. Hershfield's contributions to comic art and his role in representing Jewish culture earned him lasting recognition. His work continues to be studied and appreciated for its cultural significance and artistic merit.

Harry died on December 15, 1974.

Check these postcards from this series:

Many a man buys wine for a customer that can be landed on beer

Colourpicture Publishers, Inc. was a prominent publisher and printer of linen view cards in the United States. It was situated on Newbury Street with a factory at 76a Atherton Street. From 1938 to 1969, the company was based in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In addition to linen view cards, they expanded their offerings in the 1950s to include photochromes and small spiral-bound picture booklets under the trade name Plastichrome

The Arnold Hotel of Miami Beach, Florida was situated by the ocean at 86th Street.

Most exclusive in the North Beach section of Miami Beach, also with a private beach, but more importantly, only Gentile Clientele.

Harry A. Brown was the owner of the hotel and in November 1942 agreed to rent the entire hotel to the army. I wonder what would happen if he found any Jews amongst the soldiers.

Deltiology

Artist: Taken from a photograph
Publisher: Colourpicture Publishers, Inc
Date: Postmark 1942
Printing Method: Linen Postcard

The Tichnor Brothers Inc. was a Boston-based firm known for its postcards. It was an American graphic arts and printing company that operated from 1908 to 1987. They were based in 251 Causeway Street, Boston, Massachusetts. 

Falmouth Associates, The Moors, Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts A Carefully Restricted Community With golf, tennis, boating and bathing.

The Moors was an exclusive community that prohibited the sale of property to Jewish individuals. It consisted of 60 homes located in and around Elm Road in Falmouth. The community association was established in 1925 and offers a variety of amenities including a clubhouse, two tennis courts, 12-acres of open space, private beach on Vineyard Sound, beach house and a diving raft.