Perfect Duluth Day

Mystery Photo #52: The homely mugs of Ella and Dave

This postcard photo of a couple perhaps from or visiting Duluth appears to have never been mailed, though it is addressed to Mrs. F. Welch of Eau Galle, Wis. On the back of the card, in the upper left corner, are presumably the names of the photo subjects, Ella and Dave. Their last name is faded out, but clearly the final three letters are s-o-n.

There are three sets of notes penciled on the card. They read:

“I send you this homely mug of ours. Don’t show anybody. Don’t we look fine?”

“These are the ones you were scolding about.”

“Merry Xmas (confusing word here) to all.”

It’s not clear whether the photo was shot at the Penny Arcade in Duluth or the Post Card Shop in Minneapolis.

Those are the murky facts available. Is this a Duluth photo? When was it shot? What’s the deal with this homely couple? Those are just some of the mysteries to solve.