A 5.5x3.5" vintage collotype photo postcard from the estate of a vintage postcard collector.

Photo Overview

This postcard shows the iconic Plaza de Espana in Seville, Spain, as it appeared during or shortly after the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. The grand semicircular complex - designed by architect Anibal Gonzalez - is captured in a sepia-toned image showing the soaring north tower on the left, the sweeping Renaissance Revival arcade connecting to a pavilion on the right, and a dramatic central fountain shooting high into the air. The plaza was purpose-built for the exposition and remains one of the most celebrated public spaces in all of Spain.

The postcard was mailed from Spain to Miss Virginia Moore at 1122 E. 125th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., and bears two Spanish Republic-era stamps - a 5-centimos stamp and a green 10-centimos Joaquin Costa stamp - consistent with early 1930s postage. The handwritten message on the reverse describes sightseeing and travel experiences in Spain, giving this card charming ephemeral personality.

Historical Notes

The Plaza de Espana was the centerpiece of the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition held in Seville, a world fair intended to strengthen cultural and commercial ties between Spain and the nations of Latin America. After the exposition closed, the plaza became a beloved civic landmark. It was used as a military headquarters during the Spanish Civil War and later as a filming location for movies including Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Star Wars: Episode II (2002). Today it is one of the most visited monuments in all of Spain and remains in remarkably good condition, a lasting legacy of architect Anibal Gonzalez's ambitious vision.

The stamps on the reverse are from the Second Spanish Republic period (1931-1939), helping to date the mailing to the early-to-mid 1930s. The Joaquin Costa stamp honors the influential Spanish jurist, historian, and political philosopher who advocated for modernization in Spain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Text Present

Front caption (bottom center): "Sevilla. Exposicion Ibero-Americana / Plaza de Espana" (Translation: "Seville. Ibero-American Exposition / Plaza of Spain")

Back - printed vertically in center margin: "HUECOGRABADO - MUMBRU - BARCELONA" and publisher mark "ISM"

Back - printed at top: "TARJETA POSTAL" (Translation: "Postal Card")

Back - stamps: 5-centimos Spanish Republic stamp and 10-centimos Joaquin Costa "Republica Espanola" stamp

Back - address: "Miss Virginia Moore / 1122 E. 125 / Cleveland O / U.S.A."

Back - handwritten message (partially legible): "Dear Virginia, ...manila... She got in at... Seville and...still and...the next morning...recalled at 8 the night...that we...to the...mention a visit...postal to all...after them... Regards to all... Ed..."

Print analysis

This postcard is a "Huecograbado" (photogravure/heliogravure) print, produced by Mumbru of Barcelona, one of Spain's leading postcard publishers of the period. Huecograbado is an intaglio photomechanical printing process that produces rich tonal values and a characteristic sepia appearance. This is not a real photo postcard (RPPC) - it is a photogravure photo postcard, printed from a photomechanical plate rather than from a photographic negative directly on photographic paper. The image quality is characteristic of high-quality Spanish photogravure postcards of the early 1930s, consistent with the stamp dates on the reverse.

Condition

All postcards we sell are in fair to excellent vintage condition. Please see photos for any tears, folds, smudges, or other age damage that may be present.