Belief Me (1905) – A.H. Jewish stereotype postcard

Author: Lawrence – September 1, 2025

Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

These four postcard variants, and probably more exist, all showing the same caricatured image, were printed across different years. Each reflects the commercial humor and visual style of the early postcard era, with subtle differences in production or captioning.

Series overview: The caption Belief Me appears on a group of early 1900s postcards credited as Copyright 1905 – A.H., likely tied to Alfred Holzman of Chicago. Designs exist as paper chromolithographs and as leather postcards burned by pyrography. Numbering of 73, in the lower margin places them, in a commercial humor series from the undivided back era.

Antisemitic Stereotypes Depicted

This postcard features a number of classic antisemitic stereotypes that were commonly used in early 20th-century European and American visual culture. The image and text employ caricature and symbolism to perpetuate harmful, false depictions of Jews, which were typical in period postcards and other forms of popular media.

• Physical Caricature: The man is depicted with exaggerated facial features—large nose, thick lips, and round spectacles—traits that have been used in antisemitic iconography to mock Jewish appearance.
• Attire: The figure wears a beard and a skullcap, suggesting the stereotype of the "Eastern European Jew" or Orthodox Jew, feeding into the imagery used to otherize Jewish communities.
• Jewelry: The prominent jewel or medallion on the chest can be linked to stereotypes about Jews and wealth or greed, with the radiant lines around the stone possibly suggesting ostentatiousness or material obsession.
• Smoking Cigar: The smoking cigar, often seen in antisemitic illustrations, can be intended to indicate self-indulgence, showiness, or a louche lifestyle.
• Gestures: The open-handed gesture might be interpreted as a sign of exaggerated speech or persuasion, often used to suggest untrustworthiness or theatricality in antisemitic portrayals.
• Text (“Belief Me”): The pseudo-Germanic phrase “Belief Me,” intentionally misspelled, mocks Jewish accent or manner of speaking, a trope found in English-language antisemitic humor at the time.

Production notes

• Credit line in first postcard reads Copyright 1905 – A.H. with a small series number of 73.
• Printed as chromolithography on paper and as leather postcards using pyrography on deer hide.

Why classify Belief Me as antisemitic?

The humor is built from caricatured features, religious costume cues, wealth markers, and mock accent spelling that invite readers to see Jewishness as comic and untrustworthy.

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