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

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Jlighter

Mr. Perry

Here's one

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...entoryid=84539

Jake,

Many thanks.

At first blush, this makes perfect sense to me:

White Border Era Postcard (1915-1930)
Postmark of 1918





Definitely a different card than the one Leon posted, which I firmly believe was issued between 1907-1910.

The one pictured here in my post (not my card...from the auction link provided by Jake) was issued between 1915-1918, in my humble opinion.

Best Regards,

Eric

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Jake,

Many thanks.

At first blush, this makes perfect sense to me:

White Border Era Postcard (1915-1930)
Postmark of 1918





Definitely a different card than the one Leon posted, which I firmly believe was issued between 1907-1910.

The one pictured here in my post (not my card...from the auction link provided by Jake) was issued between 1915-1918, in my humble opinion.

Best Regards,

Eric

Since the outer limits of your guesses are the dates of the postmarks I would say you have solved half the equation.

[Baseball Rarities]

My understanding is that postcards began to be produced with white borders during the WW1 years in order to cut down on the consumption of ink.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Leon

Since the outer limits of your guesses are the dates of the postmarks I would say you have solved half the equation.

Leon,

If I may be so bold, please allow me to disregard (for a moment) the white bordered postcard and focus solely on the one you originally posted. As it pertains to that example, I believe the outer limits of my guesses to both be reasonably solid dates.

The postmark of November 30, 1910 is clearly the latest date the card could be issued. Additionally, in my estimation, March 1, 1907 is the earliest it could have been issued. The U.S. Postal Service did not relax their regulations regarding the inclusion of correspondence on the back of a postcard until that date...nor were divided back postcards able to be used in the U.S. until then.

So, with the utmost respect for you and everyone here, I propose the following:

I believe that the Walter Johnson postcard you posted was issued between March 1, 1907 and November 30, 1910.

Should I happen to have erred somewhere in my line of thinking thus far, please let me know. I do believe that I have come to a reasonable conclusion; however, do welcome feedback on this.

Additionally, I plan to research the WaJo further, in an effort to narrow this range as much as possible. Along the way, I will be more than happy to share my findings with this board.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

Eric

[martindl]

I have nothing to add re Leons postcard other than it's awesome. Great pick up.

Yes, 1907 was the 'legal' date for divided postcards, but there are documented examples from 1906, so technically 1907 is not a start date.

Re the 'white bordered' postcard, that pc is a real photo postcard and has nothing to do with white bordered pc's, their history, or dating. There are many examples of real photo postcards with borders that pre-date the 'white border' postcard era.

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by martindl

I have nothing to add re Leons postcard other than it's awesome. Great pick up.

Yes, 1907 was the 'legal' date for divided postcards, but there are documented examples from 1906, so technically 1907 is not a start date.

Re the 'white bordered' postcard, that pc is a real photo postcard and has nothing to do with white bordered pc's, their history, or dating. There are many examples of real photo postcards with borders that pre-date the 'white border' postcard era.

It's not a real photo postcard, it's a printed one.

[martindl]

Originally Posted by Bicem

It's not a real photo postcard, it's a printed one.

The "white bordered" one, correct, not Leon's card? It was the former I referenced with my comment.

Based on the back, that card is almost certainly an AZO card, which is why I said it was a real photo.

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by martindl

The "white bordered" one, correct, not Leon's card? It was the former I referenced with my comment.

Based on the back, that card is almost certainly an AZO card, which is why I said it was a real photo.

Pretty sure they are BOTH printed-photo postcards and not real-photos ones, unless the sepia one was made from a grainy photo of the original cabinet or the blue printed postcard.

[Baseball Rarities]

It is very blurry. Is it a photo of a photo?

Originally Posted by martindl

Re the 'white bordered' postcard, that pc is a real photo postcard and has nothing to do with white bordered pc's, their history, or dating. There are many examples of real photo postcards with borders that pre-date the 'white border' postcard era.

[slidekellyslide]

Fantastic postcard Leon! And no you can NOT start collecting postcards!

I agree with Hank, I think this card was made in 1910 for distribution from Weiser...probably made in a larger city like Boise. Doubtful that a postcard could keep a guy around..this was made as a source of pride in their hometown boy who had made it big in the Bigs.

[teetwoohsix]

Love that postcard Leon, thanks for posting that.

This has been a great read. The 1910 postmark shows it was made 1910 or prior. Now, I don't have much to add but I do have a postcard that has a copyright date of 1910 by one company in New York, and right across from that has a different publishing company name. The postal stamp on the back of the card is dated August 5th, 1911. It is baseball themed, but more of a novelty item. So, I'm wondering if the date of 1908 would make sense? Maybe one year after the copyright date? Just an uneducated guess.

Great thread and awesome postcard, regardless !!

Sincerely, Clayton

[Hankphenom]

Here's a Net54 thread with a link to a photo of a third purple one owned by Dan McKee (of course). So that's at least three of the purple ones. And Mile High had a sepia example at one of the Reading shows some years back, although that could be the same one in the Legendary auction.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=78805