AFRICAN AMERICAN MOM WITH CHILDREN & WICKER TRAM : STUDIO PORTRAIT : RPPC 1923

This poignant real photo postcard, dated 1923, captures a tender family moment—likely taken in a professional studio simulating an outdoor scene. The composition features an African American mother gently smiling as she stands behind a beautiful, large wicker baby carriage. Nestled inside the pram is a young infant with wide, alert eyes, while an older daughter stands nearby in a white dress, her expression serious and slightly pensive. The mother is dressed with quiet elegance in a light-toned wrap dress with lapels, tied at the waist—a popular post-World War I style that balances modesty with modernity. Her calm smile and direct gaze suggest pride and affection. The infant is dressed in traditional white baby clothing, resting on a cushioned lining in the pram. The older girl wears a crisp white dress, accented with a large hair bow—common children’s fashion for the early 1920s. The wicker baby carriage is especially eye-catching, with its sweeping curves and woven basket design, indicative of upscale early 20th-century prams. It rests on ornate wrought iron wheels, reinforcing the studio setting, where such props were often used to enhance domestic or garden-themed portraiture. The back of the card includes a divided back design and an AZO stamp box which was used between 1918 and 1930, consistent with the handwritten date of 1923 on the reverse.  (SOLD)

Published in: on April 12, 2026 at 11:30 am  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN : STANDING BY FRONT PORCH : FLOWERS : RPPC

This is a vintage real photo postcard (RPPC) portrait of a young African American woman standing in front of a porch in front of a house. She holds a vase of flowers in one hand, and with the other she lightly rests on a wooden chair beside her, on which her hat lies. Along the porch railing (behind her) are potted plants that add a charming domestic detail to the setting. She’s dressed in a light-colored, modest dress with three-quarter sleeves. Around her neck is a pendant necklace suspended from a fine chain. The pendant appears to be a small oval or medallion (hard to see the exact motif, but visible in closeups). Her hair is styled simply (likely bobbed or softly waved), and her expression is calm, with a slight, poised gaze toward the camera. The photo was taken outdoors (natural light) in front of a porch, likely in a residential neighborhood. The background includes lattice or railings, and potted plants suggest someone cared for the space. The chair beside her provides a prop that complements the composition. On the reverse, the card bears an AZO stamp box, with two triangles at the top pointing upward and two triangles at the bottom pointing downward. That is a known style used in ASO / AZO postcard backs, and those two-up/two-down triangles typically date a postcard to the ~1918 to 1930 period. Also, the reverse has the handwritten name and address. The name is Hattie Gilmore and the address is in Los Angeles. Presumably, the woman in the photo is Hattie.  (SOLD)

Published in: on November 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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THREE ATTRACTIVE COUPLES IN INTIMATE POSE : SPORTY WOMEN HATS : (1918-1930)

This vintage real photo postcard features three attractive couples posing at an unidentified photography studio. The six men and women in this photograph are chock full of personality. Five of the six are flashing wonderful smiles. The women, in particular, appear to be having fun. All six subjects are fashionably dressed. The women are wearing sporty hats. This is an intimate portrait. The three couples seem to be very relaxed and appear to be good friends. This postcard has an AZO stamp box which indicates that the photo was taken sometime between 1918 and 1930.  SOLD

Published in: on October 31, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FAMILY PORTRAIT : ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK STUDIO : BEACH : VINTAGE RPPC 1920’s

This vintage real photo postcard (RPPC) captures a striking studio portrait of a family—mother, father, and young daughter—likely taken as a souvenir along the Atlantic City Boardwalk in the 1920s. The woman is dressed in a fashionable dark seaside outfit with lace-up boots, seated on a prop with “ATLANTIC CITY” clearly visible. The young girl, wearing a sailor-style dress with large hair bows, stands between her parents, while the man wears a sleeveless athletic undershirt and shorts, a typical beach attire of the period. The backdrop is painted to resemble the seashore, a hallmark of boardwalk souvenir photography studios. A rough transcription of the message on the reverse of the photograph is as follows: “Dear Florence, We’ve been here for 2 weeks and I have tried to write a few but really I have been too lazy. I cannot write every day. I thought I would go to Florence. Intend to write to all that is a good as it got. I am looking forward to going home as Andrew is going to be married Sept 13 to Em Wm Carrow. He is a retired fireman a brother to Joe Carrow that has the saloon front & back. Love to all from all, Asmy Joseph”. The postcard has an AZO stamp box dating it to approximately 1904-1918.  Atlantic City’s boardwalk photographers were popular during the early 20th century, offering tourists a chance to take home a posed souvenir photo, often with seaside props or painted backdrops. The mix of casual and dressed attire in this card is characteristic of family beach portraits from the era. (SOLD)

Published in: on October 6, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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EARLY TOWN BAND : ELIDA, NEW MEXICO : BY BREEDING : MUSIC : RPPC 1907-1918

This striking real photo postcard (RPPC) captures a moment in early 20th-century New Mexico history with a beautifully composed group portrait of the Elida News Band from Elida, N.M. The band members are posed proudly in their crisp white uniforms and hats, each holding an instrument—cornets, trombones, tubas, drums, and other brass band staples. The large bass drum in the foreground is boldly labeled “Elida News Band N.M.” giving clear identification to this historic ensemble. The image is full of character, with each musician presenting a distinct expression, from serious and stoic to modestly smiling. Of special note are the two men in suits standing at the far right—possibly the band director and a community official—adding to the formality and significance of the occasion. The reverse of the postcard is marked AZO with four triangles pointed upward, dating it to approximately 1904–1918. Since the postcard has a divided back, it is likely that the postcard was actually published between 1907 and 1918. Along the left margin is the credit: “Photo by GUY O. BREEDING, ELIDA, N.M.”. Elida is a small village situated in Roosevelt County, eastern New Mexico. The closest major city to Elida, New Mexico is Lubbock, Texas, located approximately 100 miles east of Elida.  (SOLD)

Published in: on September 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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GROUP OF RAILROAD WORKERS : ANTIQUE TOOLS : WORK CLOTHING : TRAINS : DEPOT : RPPC

This vintage occupational real photo postcard features a group of railroad workers wearing their work clothes. Note that three of the men are holding antique tools. The fellow standing on the right is holding a giant wrench. Next to that same gentleman is a large rack holding railroad construction equipment. Behind the men is a small depot building. The AZO stamp box indicates that this postcard was published between 1904 and 1918. This postcard has excellent clarity and is in good condition (see scans). This occupational railroad postcard is likely one-of-a-kind.  SOLD

Published in: on July 26, 2025 at 12:42 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PATRIOTIC COUPLE CELEBRATES THE FOURTH OF JULY

This vintage real photo postcard exudes a form of patriotism that is seldom seen today. The AZO stamp box indicates that this photo was taken sometime between 1918 and 1930. This was an era when it was relatively common for individuals to include flags when having their picture taken. We tend to see a resurgence of exhibiting American flags for short stints during the time of national threat or crisis (ie 9/11). When people chose to pose with flags during the 1910’s and 1920’s, it wasn’t to tout a particular cause. They were just expressing their love and fidelity toward their country. There is faint writing in pencil on the reverse of this postcard. The text states “With love from Mr. and Mrs. Chester McCrumb (?), To our sister Mrs. Jennie Hubbard”. This photo postcard has excellent clarity and is in good condition (See Scans and note bottom right of image).   SOLD

Published in: on July 4, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A YOUNG BOY AND GIRL ATOP A DONKEY (1910-1930) RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features a young boy and girl riding a donkey. Pardon my lack of equine knowledge; perhaps the donkey is actually a mule or burro. Both children are smiling and apparently having a good time. It is likely that the pair are siblings. The sister is riding side-saddle. I believe the donkey is actually a late donkey. It was not unusual to have subjects pose with a taxidermied animal for their studio photograph. The AZO stamp box on the reverse of this postcard indicates that it was published between 1910 and 1930. SOLD

Published in: on November 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ADORABLE YOUNG GIRLS : BATHING SUITS & CAPS : BEACH HAVEN, NEW JERSEY : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features two young girls wearing bathing suits, posing for their portrait at a beach community photo studio. The Engleside studio was located in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island. The town borders the Atlantic Ocean. The AZO stamp box indicates that the photo was taken sometime between 1904 and 1918.  SOLD

Published in: on August 14, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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TWO AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN STANDING ON A BRICK WALL : WELL DRESSED: RPPC 1904-1918

This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of two young African American men posed standing on a brick wall. The dapper men are well dressed, wearing a suit and tie. Note the men’s hats. It is presumed that these men are African American because this postcard was found in the US. However, it is possible that the men are actually from somewhere other than America. It would certainly be interesting to know why these men seem to be in the middle of nowhere standing on a wall. There are bricks behind them which may indicates that the men are at a construction site or perhaps, at the location of a destroyed building. The AZO stamp box on this card indicates that the postcard dates back to between 1918 and 1930. (SOLD)

Published in: on April 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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