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Railway Post Office History / 1c Franklin Scott 300 / Industrial Ambition Theme
OVERVIEW
Offered is an original 1908 humorous "Working His Way Up" postcard, a classic example of the Edwardian "Comic Card" boom. The illustration features a worker climbing a ladder against an industrial backdrop, serving as a playful metaphor for persistence. This item is a significant piece of Colorado/Texas Railway Postal History, bearing a crisp circular date stamp from the Denver & Hillsboro R.P.O. (Railway Post Office) line.
RAILWAY POSTAL HISTORY (R.P.O.)
The true value of this card for specialists is the MAR 21 1908 cancellation. Unlike standard city postmarks, R.P.O. cancels were applied by clerks working in dedicated mail cars aboard moving trains. The Denver & Hillsboro route was a vital link in the Western rail network. The strike is well-centered and "ties" the stamp to the card, proving it was sorted in transit.
STAMP & FRANKING
• Scott Number: 300 (Series of 1902)
• Denomination: 1 Cent
• Subject: Benjamin Franklin
• Color: Green
• Perforation: 12
• Printing Method: Engraved
• Paper Type: White w/ Double-line USPS Watermark
• Gum: N/A (Mailed)
WHY IT MATTERS
This is a "Triple Threat" collectible:
1. RPO Specialists: A clear, identifiable Western route cancel.
2. Topical Collectors: Industrial/Labor theme with a "Working His Way Up" caption.
3. Philatelists: An inverted usage of the 1c 1902 Franklin, postally used during the peak of the postcard era.
ITEM SPECIFICS
• Year Manufactured: 1908
• Era: Divided Back (1907-1915)
• Postage Condition: Posted (RPO Cancel)
• Theme: Railway Postal History / RPO / Labor
• Subject: Worker on Ladder / Denver & Hillsboro RPO
• Stamp: 1c Franklin (Scott 300)
• Custom SKU: RPO-1908-DENVER-HILLSBORO-LADDER
CONDITION
Authentic postally used condition. The card shows corner and edge wear consistent with a 115-year-old document. There is a horizontal crease through the center that does not affect the structural integrity or the clarity of the illustration. The stamp (Scott 300) is sound and flawlessly tied by the crisp Denver & Hillsboro R.P.O. strike. Item Specifics placed immediately above it.
