Medium: Real Photo Postcards
A real photo postcard is a photographic image printed on postcard stock. In 1902, Kodak introduced the No. 3A Folding Pocket Kodak, which was designed for postcard-sized film. This camera allowed the general public to take photographs and have them printed on postcard backs and be sent around the world to share with family and friends. This format of sharing photography stayed strong through the 1930s, even with the invention of 35mm film, when images on postcards were simply enlarged and white borders for handwritten messages were added to the fronts of postcards.
Explore real photo postcards in the collection
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Three Women), real photo postcard, ca. 1915, 2020.1.316.
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Portrait of a Woman), real photo postcard, 1907, 2021.33.576.
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Portrait of Acrobats), real photo postcard, 2021.33.1150.
Resources in the Collection
Header Images
Left
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Building Structure), real photo postcard, 1913, 2020.1.362.
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Portrait of a Woman), real photo postcard, 1911, L11.2022.123 (39).
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Group of Men with Tents) (back), real photo postcard, 1910, 2021.33.695.
Center
Artist Unknown, Untitled (People Around Maypole), real photo postcard, ca. 1915, L11.2022.49 (62).
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Portrait of Four Children), real photo postcard, ca. 1915, 2020.1.334.
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Navy Sailor), real photo postcard, ca. 1915, 2020.1.250.
Right
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Man with Clock), real photo postcard, ca. 1915, 2020.1.267.
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Women in Baskets), real photo postcard, ca. 1905, 2020.1.5.
Artist Unknown, Untitled (Two Cats), real photo postcards, ca. 1915, L11.2022.123 (225).