Leap Year Postcards Part 2

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Here is the second installment of 4 on Leap Year Postcards during our countdown to Leap Day. Most of the postcards I will feature in this series show women hunting a man so she can make him her husband. Of course that goes on today, everyday, but usually without the gusto and desperation depicted on the Leap Year postcards. The source of this abnormal unwanted pursuit during Leap Year may be traced to the Middle Ages in the British Isles where it was understood that a woman had the right to propose to a man during a Leap Year and any man who refused had to give her a kiss AND either a silk dress or a pair of gloves. The Scottish Parliament in 1288 passed a law requiring the refusing man to pay a fine up to one pound unless he could prove he was married to another woman. The legend lasted into the 20th century and made great subject matter for Golden Age postcards.

The first postcard today is another member of the 1908 "Lemon Set" of 12 by E. Nash and the ladies are armed to the teeth and have a bloodhound helping.

The second postcard shows a lady being urged by the face in fireplace, cat or the parrot to catch a man. Be sure to check out all the postcards on my website at Moody's Postcards.