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Colorful antique Fourth of July postcard featuring two children seated beneath a large American shield decorated with stars and red-and-white stripes. A golden American eagle spreads its wings above the shield, while red, white and blue ribbons frame the patriotic design.
The boy holds a long string of firecrackers as the girl covers her ears in anticipation of the noise. A banner across the lower portion reads:
“THE 4th of JULY”
Two cannons with bright red wheels appear beneath the banner, surrounded by flashes of exploding fireworks. The card has attractive embossed detailing that gives dimension to the eagle, shield, lettering, ribbons and other elements.
The lower-right corner bears the printed credit:
“Copyright 1908, P. Sander, N.Y.”
The postcard was mailed from Noxen, Pennsylvania, with an October 29 postmark. The final digit of the mailing year is not completely clear, but it appears to date from the early 1910s. Noxen is a small community in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, adding desirable small-town postal-history interest.
The reverse contains a handwritten personal message and address. Most of the original postage stamp is missing, although part of the stamp or its underlying paper remains within the stamp box.
A charming and lively example of early American Independence Day imagery combining children, fireworks, an eagle, shield, cannons and traditional red, white and blue patriotic symbolism.
CONDITION
Poor to fair antique condition with substantial age and handling wear. The card has pronounced creasing and wrinkling, including extensive creases across the upper portion and additional bends throughout the card. Corners are rounded, softened and worn, with edge wear, surface soiling, stains and general age toning.
The front retains strong color and remains visually appealing despite the wear. Small areas of surface wear and discoloration are present.
The reverse has extensive creasing, staining, postal ink, handwritten correspondence, pencil dealer notations and general discoloration. Most of the postage stamp has been removed, leaving paper loss and residue in and around the stamp box. The Noxen, Pennsylvania postmark remains identifiable, although the mailing year is partially obscured.
Please examine both scans carefully for the complete condition.
ITEM SPECIFICS
- Type: Embossed patriotic postcard
- Holiday: Independence Day
- Occasion: Fourth of July
- Copyright date: 1908
- Mailing period: Early 1910s
- Postmark: Noxen, Pennsylvania
- County: Wyoming County
- Postmark date: October 29; year partially legible
- Publisher: P. Sander
- Publisher location: New York
- Subject: Children celebrating the Fourth of July
- Printed greeting: “The 4th of July”
- Imagery: American eagle, shield, stars and stripes, ribbons, firecrackers and cannons
- Postage condition: Posted; most of stamp missing
- Writing: Handwritten message and address
- Era: Divided Back Era
- Country: United States
- State: Pennsylvania
- Color: Multicolor
- Features: Embossed details
- Original/Reproduction: Original antique postcard
- Condition: Poor to fair with heavy creasing and wear
