Monetizing liberty (1911 postcard)

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness — sure.

But the most truly American thing of all is the pursuit of making a buck.

This looks like a nice postcard that's patriotically highlighting the Liberty Bell, one of the foremost symbols of the United States' struggle for independence. Upon closer examination, the text of the front of the card states: 

"Proclaimed liberty throughout the world. The ENTERPRISE Meat and Food Chopper proclaimed to housewives liberty from the old fashing chopping bowl."

It's an advertisement, y'all. The postcard was published by Souvenir Post Card Company and printed in New York. This one was postmarked on October 24, 1911 — 115 years ago, a few years before World War I — and mailed to Mr. William Bixler of Lickdale, Pennsylvania with a one-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp. Maybe William was considering buying an Enterprise Meat and Food Chopper for his wife as a Christmas present. You know, to give his wife the gift of some "liberty."

The text on the back states:

"There will be a greater profit from pork products this Fall than from hogs on the hoof. Equip now with an ENTERPRISE Sausage Stuffer and Lard Press. Longest service — more profitable all the time. Air cannot enter the casing. 

"Enterprise Meat and Food Chopper. Retains all the juices, because it does not mangle the material, but cuts like shears. Come in and let us show them to you.

"George Krause Hdwe. Co.

Lebanon, Pa."

Having outlived their use to capitalism, Enterprise's choppers and grinders and stuffers are now just offered on the resale market as antiques. Well, I guess that's capitalism, too. Folks trying to make a buck off pieces of the past. Maybe the Liberty Bell will end up in an auction some day, too. (Don't mind me, I'm just grumpy as I write this.)