Name/Title
Elizabeth Kester Turk at Foster’s Flower Shop, St. LouisDescription
This photograph shows two women posing inside a St. Louis flower shop among large displays of ferns, potted plants, baskets, and a decorative pelican. A 48-star U.S. flag hangs in the background. Written beneath the photograph on the mat is: “Elizabeth Kester Foster Shop.”
The photograph was acquired with its original mailing envelope, which bears a label for Acme Flower Shop, Elizabeth Kester Turk & Son, 6744 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri. A handwritten note at the top reads: “Turks party groupe / Elizabeth Turk in Foster Shope.” The envelope is addressed to Mrs. A. C. Donnan of Rolla, Missouri, identified in Elizabeth Turk’s 1953 obituary as her sister. The envelope also bears the stamp of G. E. Palfrey, Commercial Photographer, 741 East Gate Ave., St. Louis, Mo.
Newspaper research indicates that Elizabeth Turk moved the Acme Flower Shop to 6744 Clayton Road in 1931 and also lived at that address. Separate St. Louis newspaper references identify Ray A. Foster, florist, at 4955 Delmar Boulevard, strongly suggesting that the “Foster Shop” mentioned both on the mat and envelope refers to Foster’s business rather than Acme. The note “Turks party groupe” may refer to an additional group photograph once kept in the same envelope.
The exact circumstances of Elizabeth Turk’s visit to Foster’s shop, the occasion for the photograph, and the identity of the second woman remain to be researched. The 3-cent Jefferson stamp on the envelope was introduced in 1938, and the clothing and appearance of the photograph are consistent with the late 1930s or early 1940s.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1938 - circa 1941Time Period
1930sPlace
City
St. LouisState/Province
MissouriCreate Date
August 21, 2026
