Don Keys Motel - Coal Grove, Ohio

This postcard is about as typical as they get.  It is a standard/chrome postcard of the Don Keys Motel in Coal Grove, Ohio.  Standard refers to the size, about 3.5 x 5.5 inches, and chrome refers to the photography method. The photos on these cards were typically made with Kodachrome or Ektachrome 35mm film.  I've seen standard/chromes as early as 1939, but they typically range from the 1950s to the early 1980s in the USA.

There is a message on the back of this card.  It is a thank you note signed by Don Keys himself, sent to some recent customers from Minnesota. It doubles nicely as a bit of motel advertisement.  It is postmarked in Ironton, Ohio (just across the river from Ashland, Kentucky) and dated Dec 3, 1969.

I checked online (for a couple of mins) and could find no evidece that this motel still exists. If it does they don't seem to have a website.  If anyone knows for sure, let me know.

Update: Sold!

CDV Photo of Two Men, Chester County, Pennsylvania - 1860's

This is a CDV (Carte de viste) photo of two men sitting in chairs.  It was taken by an A. McCormick, of Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania.  I can date this to the 1860s for a couple of reasons, but mainly because there is a green George Washington 3 cent tax stamp on back.  I believe this particular stamp dates this photo to 1864.

CDVs are small, usually about 2.5 x 4 inches, usually with an albumen print affixed to a cardboard backing.  They were popular from the 1850s to the 1880s at least.  The thickness and look of the cardboard, plus the styles of the graphics advertising the photographer also give clues to the date.   If you're expert enough, you may also be able to tell by clothing or hair styles - of course people aren't always current with the latest fashions, especially older people.  Sometimes people are nice and write names and dates on it, but usually not.  And sometimes it has a tax stamp.

I like this CDV because it has two men in it, they have interesting mustaches and beards, the hats seem a little unusual, and they're wearing long coats, they both have on what looks like the same kinds of boots, and of course, the tax stamp on back.  And the actual picture looks nicer than what I could reproduce.

Swedish Easter Witches - Hildur Soderberg

This is a fun postcard from Sweden.  Glad Pask! = Happy Easter, and those are witches flying airplanes over a city.  Apparently Easter Witches are a part of Swedish folklore.

This card was signed by Hildur Soderberg, and I believe he did a series of these.  This is the only one I have, but I'm sure I've seen others.

I'm not exactly sure of the dating on this card, but it looks early 20th century - pre-1918 - to me.  There is a message on back (in Swedish I think), and it is addressed, but it was never mailed.

Update:  This one sold!

Lincoln Avenue in Carbondale, PA - 1909

This is a postcard showing a view of Lincoln Avenue in Carbondale, Pa.  It was sent to an address in Remington, Indiana, and postmarked in Carbondale in 1909.   It was published by the Rotograph Co., "N.Y. City", and printed in Germany.

Many pre-WWI cards were printed in Germany, and frequently have very nice colors and sharp details.  The quality of printing declined after WWI started.

This old card just shows a pleasant street - but if you look closely you'll see a large animal, probably a horse.  It most likely is pulling a cart of some sort.  

Catholic Cardinal by Alfred Weber

This postcard is of a drawing by Alfred Weber (1862-1922), who drew Cardinals engaged in non-religious, everyday activities.  It's from the early part of the 20th century.