1913 postcard w/ 1 cent George Washington (Green) postage stamp

Private sale.

Item Overview

• Type: Early 20th-Century Illustrated Postcard with Postage
• Date Postmarked: March 21, 1913 (Tallula, Illinois)
• Publisher: Unknown (not identified on the card, but common for mass-produced Easter cards of the era)
• Recipient: Mrs. Lesta Smedley, Petersburg, Illinois
• Stamp: 1¢ Green George Washington (Washington-Franklin Issue, Scott #405)
• Size: 3.25" x 5.25"
• Medium: Cardboard (postcard) and paper (stamp)
• Condition: Good overall (minor corner and edge wear; light soiling from age)

Design Details

The front of the postcard features a pastel-colored lithograph with an Easter motif: two white doves flying above a bright yellow pansy bouquet, with "Easter Greeting" printed below. This design is characteristic of the period, particularly in holiday correspondence. The back features a handwritten message from a mother discussing a family update.

The card's design is embossed, which was a premium printing method used for tactile dimension and greater visual appeal in holiday cards of this era. While no publisher is identified, it is visually in line with known cards from publishers like E.A. Schwerdtfeger or Whitney.

Postage Stamp Details

• Denomination: 1 Cent
• Color: Green
• Portrait: George Washington
• Issue: Washington-Franklin Series (Scott #405)
• Date of Issue: 1912–1914
• Use: Domestic postcard rate
• Condition: Nicely centered with full perforation; hand-cancelled postmark with clear town/date info

Historical & Collectible Value

This 1913 postcard is a representative piece of American postal and social history, especially tied to Easter correspondence and the Washington-Franklin definitive stamp series.

• Philatelic Value (stamp + postal history): $2–4 USD
• Vintage Postcard Value (art + subject + condition): $5–10 USD
• Total Estimated Value: $8–14 USD

Higher value may apply if included in a thematically organized collection (e.g., embossed Easter cards, 1910s American holiday cards, or Tallula–Petersburg postal ephemera).

Recommendations

• Preservation: Store in an archival-quality sleeve or album; avoid exposure to direct sunlight or humidity
• Display: Framing is not advised unless acid-free backing and UV glass are used
• Appraisal: A full collection appraisal is recommended if you possess similar cards from this era, especially if from the same postal route (Tallula, Illinois).