This postcard is a powerful and historically important antique illustrated postcard titled “Comrades,” copyrighted 1905 and published by Raphael Tuck & Sons (No.2181), one of the most influential postcard publishers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The image depicts two African American boys standing arm-in-arm on a wooden walkway beside tall marsh grasses at sunset. Their clothing—patched trousers, work shirts, and bare or worn footwear—signals rural labor and economic hardship, while their relaxed posture and direct gaze convey dignity, friendship, and resilience. The boys are presented as equals and companions, underscoring the title’s emphasis on solidarity and shared experience. The card is color-printed from an original photograph, a common Raphael Tuck practice, combining photographic realism with painterly color enhancement. The image bears the printed line “Copyright 1905 by V. G. Schreck”, identifying the photographer whose work Tuck adapted for postcard publication. Schreck supplied images that were frequently used by Tuck for genre scenes reflecting American life. V.G. Schreck (Victor G. Schreck) was a turn-of-the-century (c. 1900s) photographer known for capturing everyday life, especially early African American culture. His work documented urban life and posed subjects, leaving behind valuable historical photographic records. The reverse identifies the publisher as Raphael Tuck & Sons, with the familiar “Art Publishers to Their Majesties the King and Queen” designation, and references “The Sunny South” postcard series—an indication of the card’s intended thematic framing. The undivided back format places production squarely in the pre-1907 period. Founded in London in 1866, Raphael Tuck & Sons became the most important postcard publisher of the era, with production facilities in England, Germany, and the United States. Tuck was known for commissioning and adapting photographic images into finely printed postcards, often emphasizing sentiment, narrative, and moral framing. Cards from Tuck’s American series are especially historic due to their role in shaping visual culture and public perception. This postcard occupies a complex and significant place in American visual history. While published within a commercial framework that often romanticized Southern life for white audiences, “Comrades” departs from caricature by portraying Black children with humanity, mutual affection, and quiet strength. The absence of overt stereotyping, combined with the emphasis on companionship, makes the image notable within early 20th-century postcard production. This postcard is in good antique condition. The card has edge and corner wear, surface toning consistent with age, and minor handling marks. The image remains strong with good color retention. The postcard has no writing and is postally unused (see scans).
This cabinet card is available for purchase at my store, The History Peddler, for $16.48 or Best Offer.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 