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The front combines a large portrait of the bearded and bespectacled Uncle Ezra with an illustrated small-town scene dominated by:
“STATION E-Z-R-A”
Across the illustration is the facsimile inscription:
“Best regards to Everybody
Uncle Ezra”
“Uncle Ezra” was the radio character created and portrayed by Patrick J. “Pat” Barrett, born in Holden, Missouri, in 1887. Barrett became associated with Chicago's famous WLS National Barn Dance before starring in his own Uncle Ezra's Radio Station E-Z-R-A program. A contemporary 1935 Radio Mirror profile identifies Barrett as NBC's popular Uncle Ezra and describes his background in theater and radio.
The fictional premise had Uncle Ezra operating Station E-Z-R-A, described as the little five-watt station in the mythical community of Rosedale. The program began in 1934 and aired three nights a week over NBC.
The reverse provides a wonderful period biography of Barrett, including his birth in Holden, Missouri, his theatrical parents, upbringing by his grandparents, and his wife Nora, who played “Cecelia” on the program. It also mentions his interests in hunting, fishing and walking his dogs.
Most importantly, the reverse identifies the sponsor:
DR. MILES LABORATORIES, INC.
Makers of ALKA-SELTZER Tablets
Dr. Miles developed Alka-Seltzer in 1931 and used radio sponsorship extensively to advertise it, including sponsorship of National Barn Dance and Uncle Ezra.
This example has handwriting on the reverse but appears unused/unmailed, with no stamp or postmark.
An excellent crossover collectible for old-time radio, WLS, National Barn Dance, Alka-Seltzer advertising, Dr. Miles Laboratories and 1930s entertainment history.
Condition
Fair to good vintage condition with noticeable age and handling wear.
Front retains a strong, detailed image with good contrast. There is considerable edge and corner wear, including creasing, small bends and surface wear. A prominent horizontal crease runs across the lower portion of the card, with additional smaller creases and wrinkles.
Reverse has age toning, scattered staining and soiling, handwriting in pencil, and additional edge/corner wear. No stamp or postal cancellation is present.
Please review photographs carefully for exact condition.
Item Specifics
Type: Advertising / Celebrity Postcard
Person: Pat Barrett
Character: Uncle Ezra
Program: Uncle Ezra's Radio Station E-Z-R-A
Related Program: National Barn Dance
Radio Station: WLS / NBC Network
Sponsor: Dr. Miles Laboratories, Inc.
Product: Alka-Seltzer
Location: Chicago, Illinois / Fictional Rosedale
Era: 1930s
Subject: Old-Time Radio / Radio Personality
Postally Used: No
Original/Reproduction: Original
Country: United States
Keywords
Uncle Ezra, Pat Barrett, Patrick Barrett, Station EZRA, E-Z-R-A, Uncle Ezra radio, WLS, WLS Chicago, National Barn Dance, NBC radio, old time radio, OTR, radio personality, radio comedian, 1930s radio, Depression era radio, vintage radio, radio advertising, Alka Seltzer, Alka-Seltzer, Dr Miles Laboratories, Dr Miles Medicine, Elkhart Indiana, Rosedale, radio fan card, celebrity postcard, advertising postcard, vintage advertising, 1930s postcard, country music history, barn dance radio
