You’re looking at a charming early 20th-century real photo postcard taken at one of Colorado’s most iconic natural landmarks—Balanced Rock, located in the stunning Garden of the Gods park just outside Colorado Springs. This novelty photograph captures a group of five women posing proudly on donkeys in front of the massive, gravity-defying sandstone formation. The photograph radiates the playful spirit of early Western tourism. Five women sit astride small donkeys, all lined up neatly in front of the looming shadow of Balanced Rock. Their expressions vary from reserved amusement to open cheerfulness, suggesting they are enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience in the American West. Each woman wears a wide-brimmed sombrero-style hat, likely provided by the concession for a touch of “Wild West” flair. Their clothing is modest but stylish for the era—ankle-length skirts, blouses with sailor collars or lace trim, and fitted jackets give them a slightly adventurous, yet feminine look appropriate for tourists of the 1910s or early 1920s. Despite riding donkeys—often considered humble beasts of burden—the women’s confident postures and bemused smiles give the impression that they’re enjoying their frontier fantasy. Their donkeys stand calmly, reins held loosely in the women’s hands, adding to the relaxed, posed nature of the scene. The back of the card identifies the photographer as Paul Goerke & Son, who operated a thriving photography business in Manitou, Colorado. This firm set up a concession at Balanced Rock, one of the most photographed natural features in the West. Tourists could ride donkeys or burros up to the site, don hats, and pose for a souvenir photograph, which Goerke’s team would develop and print on postcard stock. (SOLD)
This vintage real photo postcard features an image of a young boy riding a donkey. The boy is well dressed and is wearing a shirt and tie. He is seated on a saddle, holding the reins, and his feet are in the stirrups. Neither the boy nor the donkey appear happy. The reverse of the postcard identifies the boy as being Ralph W. Ruck and indicates that the boy was eight years old at the time of the photograph. Research reveals that Ralph was born in either 1906 or 1907 in Pennsylvania (this dates the image to about 1914). The 1930 US census finds Ralph living in Middlesex, New Jersey with his parents and sister. A 1936 business directory lists Ralph as living in Somerville, Jew Jersey with his wife, Bertha S. Ruch. Social security information reports that Ralph died in 1994.. This postcard is addressed to a boy in Jamison City, Pennsylvania. The postcard paper was produced by AZO sometime between 1904 and 1918. 
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 