Early 1900s Postcards: RPPCs, Lithos & More

101 Year Old Halloween Party Invitation Die-Cut Pop-Up Black Cat, Jack O Lantern, Witch Scarecrow

Tuck's Christmas Postcard C.304: Santa Claus with Angels, Early Automobile Flat Tire Scene

Very Rare Die Cut Embossed German Postcard Depicting Fairy Woman in Lavender Dress with Butterfly

Done

Orient NY, NY, United States

Auction Details

Early 1900s Postcards: RPPCs, Lithos & More

ACME Auctions LLC

This auction offers a comprehensive collection of nearly 1,000 antique postcards and ephemera, with a primary focus on early 20th-century material. The selection includes numerous rare and some undoubtably unique real photo postcards (RPPCs), scarce undivided backs, lithographed prints, and a diverse range of thematic categories reflecting historical documentation, early advertising, and novelty formats.

Real Photo Postcards (RPPCs): Over 240 real photo postcards are included, capturing authentic photographic views of towns, occupational portraits, transportation scenes, and notable events. These cards serve as primary visual records from the early 1900s.

Lithographs, Embossed & Undivided Back Cards: The auction features approximately 470 lithographed postcards, including more than 220 embossed examples. Around 155 cards retain the undivided back format, predating the 1907 postal regulation change, representing the earliest phases of postcard production.

Advertising, Mechanical & Novelty Postcards: The collection includes 38 advertising postcards promoting products and services, along with novelty formats such as mica-decorated cards and mechanical designs with moving elements.

Military, Transportation, Street Scenes & Disasters: Military-themed cards, transportation imagery, architectural street scenes, and disaster-related views are also represented, providing visual documentation of significant historical subjects.

Holiday & Souvenir Postcards: Holiday-themed postcards for Christmas with dozens of Santa themed cards, Halloween, Easter, and other occasions are included, alongside regional souvenir cards depicting landmarks, cityscapes, and local events.

This collection represents a wide array of postcard production techniques and subject matter, reflecting the diversity and historical significance of early 20th-century printed ephemera.

Auction Curator:

David Bull

Specialist: Comic Books, Ephemera and Collectibles

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Sepia Real Photo Postcard: Young Boy in Cap and Knickers on Motorcycle with US Flag Backdrop: The front of this sepia-toned Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) features a young boy as the central subject, positioned slightly left of the image's center. He is depicted full-length, seated astride a

0001: Sepia Real Photo Postcard: Young Boy in Cap and Knickers on Motorcycle with US Flag BackdropEst. $25-$100

Sold

1905 Skeleton Driving Automobile with Skull Headlights - Dangers of Driving - The Ullman Mfg.: This color lithograph postcard features a comic illustration of a skeleton with a visible grin, wearing a dark peaked cap and a dark coat, driving an early model automobile - most likely a statement

0002: 1905 Skeleton Driving Automobile with Skull Headlights - Dangers of Driving - The Ullman Mfg.Est. $25-$100

Sold

U.S.S. K-1 Airship at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, N.J., Hangar Exterior View, ca. 1936 RPPC: Front: This Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) displays a wide, eye-level view of a large airship hangar. In the foreground is a mown grass field. Positioned to the left of the hangar's main arched opening

0003: U.S.S. K-1 Airship at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, N.J., Hangar Exterior View, ca. 1936 RPPCEst. $25-$100

Union Hook and Ladder Co. Nº 3 House, Douglas Ave., Providence, R.I., Horse-Drawn Fire Truck: The front of this colorized postcard features a depiction of the Union Hook and Ladder Co. Nº 3 in front of their station. The image shows approximately seven uniformed firefighters positioned on

0004: Union Hook and Ladder Co. Nº 3 House, Douglas Ave., Providence, R.I., Horse-Drawn Fire TruckEst. $25-$100Lot Passed

Sold

Portrait of Evelyn Nesbit with Tiger Head Rug, "The Tiger-Head," Burr McIntosh Studio, 1902: The front of the postcard features a colorized photographic portrait. The primary subject is a young woman, identified by printed text as Evelyn Nesbit, with dark, upswept hair adorned with red

0005: Portrait of Evelyn Nesbit with Tiger Head Rug, "The Tiger-Head," Burr McIntosh Studio, 1902Est. $25-$100

Sold

0006: Illustration of M.M. Magneto Special Motorcycle, American Motor Co., Brockton, MassachusettsEst. $25-$100

Antique Advertising Card: Regal Figure Presented with Boot, "A treat for your Majesty's feet": The front of this chromolithograph advertising card features an illustration of two figures against an off-white background adorned with small, black fleur-de-lis symbols. The primary figure,

0007: Antique Advertising Card: Regal Figure Presented with Boot, "A treat for your Majesty's feet"Est. $25-$100Lot Passed

The Debutante: Two Women, One Holding Yellow Roses, Seated in Carriage, Bessie Pease Gutmann: The front of the postcard features a color illustration, presented in a vignette style, of two women seated on a pink upholstered bench, suggesting an interior, possibly a carriage, indicated by a

0008: The Debutante: Two Women, One Holding Yellow Roses, Seated in Carriage, Bessie Pease GutmannEst. $25-$100Lot Passed

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La Petite Cuisinière: Young Woman in Pink Blouse Cooking at Stove, Early 20th Century Postcard: The front of the postcard features a tinted photograph titled "LA PETITE CUISINIÈRE". The image depicts a young woman with dark hair styled under a white lace cap, wearing a pink patterned blouse

0009: La Petite Cuisinière: Young Woman in Pink Blouse Cooking at Stove, Early 20th Century PostcardEst. $25-$100

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Graf Zeppelin airship flying over Friedrichshafen, lakeside town view, early 20th century.: The front of the postcard features a color illustration depicting the Graf Zeppelin airship in flight, angled from left to right, over a body of water. Below the airship, on the shore, is a town

0010: Graf Zeppelin airship flying over Friedrichshafen, lakeside town view, early 20th century.Est. $25-$100

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Futuristic Transportation Montage, 'The coming of Greater Monroe Wis.' Early 20th Century Scene: The front of the postcard features a colorized composite image depicting a bustling, multi-layered scene envisioning future transportation in a town. In the foreground, individuals are shown with

0011: Futuristic Transportation Montage, 'The coming of Greater Monroe Wis.' Early 20th Century SceneEst. $25-$100

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Woman in Pink Dress at Palmgarden Surrounded by Men of the 'Smart Set,' Early 20th Century: Front: Color illustration depicting a woman seated in the foreground, wearing a long pink gown with white lace trim, a pink flower in her blonde hair, and holding a large white fan. She looks towards

0012: Woman in Pink Dress at Palmgarden Surrounded by Men of the 'Smart Set,' Early 20th CenturyEst. $25-$100

Sold

Woman in "Peach Basket" Hat, "The Latest Style" Series, Early 20th Century Portraiture: The front of the postcard features a tinted photographic portrait of a woman. She is depicted from the bust up, facing slightly to her right, with her gaze directed towards the viewer. Her dark hair

0013: Woman in "Peach Basket" Hat, "The Latest Style" Series, Early 20th Century PortraitureEst. $25-$100

Sold

New York City, Fifth Avenue, Double Decker Bus, Street Scene with Period Automobiles, c. 1916: The front of this colorized photographic postcard shows a street scene on Fifth Avenue, New York City. A green double-decker bus, number "246" with license "591" and an "EFK" emblem, is central.

0014: New York City, Fifth Avenue, Double Decker Bus, Street Scene with Period Automobiles, c. 1916Est. $25-$100

Sold

Art Nouveau Advertising Card, Girl with Rocking Horse, Au Petit Matelot, Paris, Early 1900s: The front of the postcard features a central black and white photograph of a young girl with a rocking horse. The girl, with short dark hair, stands barefoot in a light-colored smock, holding the

0015: Art Nouveau Advertising Card, Girl with Rocking Horse, Au Petit Matelot, Paris, Early 1900sEst. $25-$100

Sold

Real Photo Postcard: Three Young Women in Uniforms Posing at Tent Entrance, Camp Setting.: The front features a sepia-toned photograph of three young females in uniform at a campsite. Two stand at a large canvas tent's entrance on a wooden platform. The female to the viewer's left: light

0016: Real Photo Postcard: Three Young Women in Uniforms Posing at Tent Entrance, Camp Setting.Est. $25-$100

Sold

Jessie Willcox Smith "Among The Poppies" Illustration, Three Children in Field, c. 1909-1910: This chromolithograph postcard front displays a color illustration by Jessie Willcox Smith. The image shows three young children in a field of red poppies. In the foreground, a child with curly

0017: Jessie Willcox Smith "Among The Poppies" Illustration, Three Children in Field, c. 1909-1910Est. $25-$100

Sold

Yacht Club, Springfield, Mass., S-C-C Building on Waterfront, Early 20th Century RPPC: The front of this real photo postcard features a sepia-toned image of a large, multi-story wooden building identified as the "S-C-C" Yacht Club, situated on a sloped bank leading down to a body of

0018: Yacht Club, Springfield, Mass., S-C-C Building on Waterfront, Early 20th Century RPPCEst. $25-$100

Prospect House, White Lake, N.Y., View with Tennis Players on Court, Early 20th Century: The front of the postcard features a colorized image of the Prospect House and a tennis game in progress. The primary subject is a large, multi-story white building with a long porch, identified as

0019: Prospect House, White Lake, N.Y., View with Tennis Players on Court, Early 20th CenturyEst. $25-$100Lot Passed

Paris, France: Military Artillery Display in Grand Square, Classical Facades, Early 20th C. RPPC: The front of this Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) presents a black and white photographic image. The primary subject is a large collection of artillery pieces, or cannons, of various sizes, arranged in

0020: Paris, France: Military Artillery Display in Grand Square, Classical Facades, Early 20th C. RPPCEst. $25-$100Lot Passed

Colorized view of Harvard Camp, Gales Ferry, Conn., with buildings and a prominent Harvard flag.: The front of the postcard displays a colorized image of Harvard Camp in Gales Ferry, Connecticut. The scene features several wooden buildings spread across a grassy area, under a lightly clouded sky.

0021: Colorized view of Harvard Camp, Gales Ferry, Conn., with buildings and a prominent Harvard flag.Est. $25-$100Lot Passed

Country Club Building with Two Stories, Verandas, and Pathways, New Orleans, Louisiana.: The front of the postcard features a colorized image of a large, two-story building, captioned "Country Club, New Orleans, La." in printed text at the bottom center. The structure has a dark, hipped

0022: Country Club Building with Two Stories, Verandas, and Pathways, New Orleans, Louisiana.Est. $25-$100Lot Passed

Golfers on the Course at The Northfield, East Northfield, Massachusetts, circa 1920s-1930s: The front of this Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) features a sepia-toned photographic image of a golf course. In the foreground, a male golfer, seen from the back, wears a dark jacket, white

0023: Golfers on the Course at The Northfield, East Northfield, Massachusetts, circa 1920s-1930sEst. $25-$100Lot Passed

Hotel Nantasket from Beach, Pavilion Entrance, Nantasket Beach, Mass. Dated Aug 8, 1907: The front of the postcard displays a colorized image depicting the Hotel Nantasket and an adjacent pavilion, viewed from the beach at Nantasket Beach, Mass. Numerous figures in early 20th-century

0024: Hotel Nantasket from Beach, Pavilion Entrance, Nantasket Beach, Mass. Dated Aug 8, 1907Est. $25-$100Lot Passed

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ACME Auctions LLC

Orient, NY, United States

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