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Peddler's Cards These three postcards were very likely sold as souvenirs by the people portrayed on them. At the turn of the century, the social safety net for people with disabilities was not extensive. There was no health or disability insurance, no social security. Some state worker's compensation programs existed, but awards might take years to get and still be insufficient. Two different veins of turn of the century popular culture are in evidence here. With a little capital, a disabled person might sell small items--pencils, flowers, matches--and the sight of disabled peddlers was among the commonest images of disability (see the blind flower-seller of Chaplin's City Lights, or Hans Christian Anderson's little match girl.) Collecting images--presidents, actors, scenery, animals--in scrapbooks was a common pastime. These postcards are of this type, but we know nothing about the individuals who were selling them. |
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