1907-1910 Weiser Wonder - Walter Johnson PC, new to the hobby

[Leon]

Thought I would resurrect an old debate on this postcard. It came from outside of the hobby and was in the family of the original owner until now. In my bit of research I don't see where anyone mentioned this/these postcards have a "Copyright '07" on the front of them, right below his right knee and to the left a tiny bit? Obviously this can't be later than 1910 due to the postmark on it. Comments are hoped for... Btw, this thing is so neat it almost makes me want to start collecting postcards!!

[ullmandds]

Awesome! You DO collect postcards!

Awesome PC Leon. Don't know what type of info you are looking for but I believe Johnson played for the Weiser Kids (1906-July 1907), 84 consecutive scoreless innings pitched in 1907. He worked for the local telephone/telegraph company in Weiser, Idaho.

The subject of the PC is interesting, sounds as though these two are cattlemen, one looking for work in Wyoming. Weiser is the last town up river from Hells Canyon and was a popular Ferry point across the Weiser River, which combines with the Snake. Today, the town is known as the "Fiddling Capital of the World", and has some great sturgeon fishing.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

Awesome PC Leon. Don't know what type of info you are looking for but I believe Johnson played for the Weiser Senators (1906-July 1907), 84 consecutive scoreless innings pitched in 1907. He worked for the local telephone/telegraph company in Weiser, Idaho.

The subject of the PC is interesting, sounds as though these two are cattlemen, one looking for work in Wyoming. Weiser is the last town up river from Hells Canyon and was a popular Ferry point across the Weiser River, which combines with the Snake. Today, the town is known as the "Fiddling Capital of the World", and has some great sturgeon fishing.

Thanks Ty...here is another scan of the back. The info I am interested in hearing about is why, when the dating of this has been discussed before, no one has ever mentioned the copyright date of 1907 on the front? I am not saying it was produced then but it certainly merits some thought if folks are trying to date it. If it IS 1907 it would make it one of, if not the, first Walter Johnson card. All that being said I very well might have missed someone pinpointing the date of it. This particular postcard was sent to the person's grandfather from whom I acquired it, according to them...and I have no reason to believe otherwise.

[caramelcard]

I go there every year for the fiddle festival. Pretty much everyone in town has a garage sale that week. I've found some pretty cool stuff, but not this PC which I have seen before and wouldn't mind running into. Or anything vintage WJ would be fine. Either way, it's a great little town and worth the long drive from Seattle.

I don't know about the dating of it, but maybe the photo dates to 1907, but the PC was made in 1910.

Rob

[Hankphenom]

How interesting. I had always thought this postcard was of later vintage, teens to perhaps even the 20s based on the relatively modern looking graphics. The copyright of 1907 is in the photo itself, though, the original of which was auctioned several years ago by a cousin of mine. It's possible the postcard could date from 1907, after his first partial season with Washington, but could also have been produced anytime between then and Nov 1910, according to this postmark. This could be his rookie card, which I guess is now considered to be the American Caramel card from 1908, although I could be mistaken about that. Great find, in any case. I had Walter's copy of this card at one time, from his scrapbooks.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

How interesting. I had always thought this postcard was of later vintage, teens to perhaps even the 20s based on the relatively modern looking graphics. The copyright of 1907 is in the photo itself, though, the original of which was auctioned several years ago by a cousin of mine. It's possible the postcard could date from 1907, after his first partial season with Washington, but could also have been produced anytime between then and Nov 1910, according to this postmark. This could be his rookie card, which I guess is now considered to be the American Caramel card from 1908, although I could be mistaken about that. Great find, in any case. I had Walter's copy of this card at one time, from his scrapbooks.

Thanks Hank. Yes, I saw the original cabinet that had the "1907" in it. I don't know all there is to know about copyright dates but I haven't seen anything to make me think this postcard wasn't printed earlier than 1910. I believe that sometimes copyright dates are in fact used as dating of items. Again, not trying to necessarily feather my own nest but it is interesting no one, I saw, ever bring up the date on the card itself. That was the main thrust of the initial post, as well as to show a really cool postcard .

[Hankphenom]

So the possible time frame is August, 1907 to November, 1910, with no evidence arguing in favor of any particular date within that period. Right?