Postcard History

Real Photo postcards provide so much history for families; not just in the messages they carry but, of course, in the photos themselves!

Photos of children were often sent to family members to commemorate birthdays, graduations, special events and so many other family activities that have been allowed to live on for generations after their creation.

Here are a few of my favorite real photo cards showing children:

First, is this beautiful, unused, full-framed ARTURA postcard of a young girl wearing a beautiful dress and looking so sweet while paging through what is likely her family’s album of photographs. ARTURA postcards were produced between 1910 and 1924. The quality and clarity of this card is perfect in every regard. As you look closely, one can see what this girl was looking at.

The only flaw is the pin hole at the top of the card where someone obviously had it on display.

Second, is this wonderful, unused, NOKO postcard showing a young girl dressed in her finest but looking like she would love to be anywhere else but in a studio being photographed! NOKO postcards were produced between 1907 through 1920. One would guess that the photo was purposely off-center to show the artificial background of a river, trees and mountains.

Next is a great, unused, AZO postcard of a cute curly haired little guy who is dressed up in his best sweater and neckerchief. He, too, does not seem to be thrilled, but he is sitting still for the picture. He isn’t sure, but I am, that such photos survived for years as favorites in many families. Naturally, that was before the card came to me and became one of my favorites. The AZO postcards were used between 1925 and 1940.

Then this, “chilly image,” on an unused, AZO postcard showing a well-dressed young girl posed in front of her home on what, may have been Christmas Day.

Obviously, wherever she is, it was very cold, but she is proud to show off her newest doll and her collection of dolls in a carriage. I find it amusing that a tropical plant was brought outdoors on a table to add interest to the photograph! This AZO postcard dates between 1904 and 1918.

After the AZO comes another, also unused, showing a proud little girl showing off, or introducing, her new brother to the camera. This AZO postcard dates between 1904 and 1918.

Sixth, is a truly wonderful, unused, live action, EKC photo of a barefoot little boy dressed up in his new overalls and ready to go! You just cannot beat the expression on this guy’s face! This EKC postcard dates from 1940 through 1950.

This next card is a favorite; it is another unused, AZO postcard. The one-year-old seems to be a happy little guy ready to go to town in his, still too large, overalls. The photo is certainly posed since the child is sitting on the arm of a leather seat armchair and we can’t help wondering how fast the photographer took the picture. The AZO postcards date from 1904 through 1918.

Last is this father and son photo on a AZO postcard showing junior apparently sharing a smoke with dad! Yes, that is a cigar in dad’s hand, and the way Junior is holding his hand, it sure looks like he is holding a cigarette or something similar. Again, AZO postcards date from 1904 through 1918.

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Imagine the history that the subjects of these cards witnessed: the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the great depression, World War II, to name just a few. With no further information, other than their photo, it is impossible to investigate these lives further but thanks to these and millions of other real photo postcards they all live on in memory and they may even spark our imaginations.