The Estate Sale Chronicles: More Cards from the Buzza Company of Minneapolis

Yesterday I shared a small greeting card dated Christmas 1914 -- a century ago -- with its colors and its message still strong. It was produced by the Buzza Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

At the same estate sale, I found other Buzza cards. Looking at the designs, I can the company's style changing and growing over time.

Here's a birthday greeting printed on a single piece of cardstock -- it doesn't open or fold.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A birthday of gladness,

Returns by the score;

May this one be better

Than ever before.

The stamp on the lower right of the back of the card bears the year 1925, as well as the name of the Buzza building in Minneapolis: Craftacres.

Another little birthday card shows a simple design:

And a simple verse:

I don't know just how many years

Have journeyed on with you so far,

But I know thousands couldn't make

You nicer than you are.

It has a completely different copyright mark, this time with an Arts and Crafts sort of design.

Speaking of an Arts and Crafts design, look at this gorgeous Christmas card by Buzza, which I found at the same estate sale:

No gift that I could give you

No message old or new

Could half express the love I hold

Deep in my heart for you.

Christmas thoughts are merry thoughts

And Christmas cheer is fine,

But all year long I think of you

And love you, Sweetheart mine.

Buzza's design shifts radically in this more realistically-styled card, featuring Santa Claus and a pair of small children who apparently live in the Arctic region: