Original antique comic postcard mailed from the small community of Huntley, Nebraska, in 1912.
The colorful illustrated front depicts a courting couple beneath a moonlit sky with the humorous caption:
“I’M ASHAMED OF THE OLD LIGHTS OF YOUR EYES.”
The primary collecting interest here, however, is the postal history. The reverse bears a strong HUNTLEY, NEBR. circular postmark dated APR 30, 1912, along with its original green 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp.
Huntley was a small post office in Harlan County, Nebraska.
Postal-history records show:
Huntley, Nebraska — 1888–1996
The office operated for more than a century before being discontinued in 1996. This makes the card a genuine example of mail from a Nebraska Discontinued Post Office (DPO).
At the time this postcard was mailed in 1912, the Huntley post office had been operating for only about 24 years.
The cancel is a particularly nice feature of this example. HUNTLEY is readily identifiable across the upper portion of the circular date stamp, NEBR. is clearly visible at the bottom, and APR / 30 / 1912 appears prominently in the center.
For collectors who buy these specifically for the town cancellation, this is a solid example.
Post Office: Huntley, Nebraska
County: Harlan County
Postmark: HUNTLEY, NEBR.
Date: April 30, 1912
Post Office Dates: 1888–1996
DPO: Yes — discontinued 1996
Stamp: 1¢ green Benjamin Franklin
Cancel: Circular date stamp with barred killer
Postal Use: Genuine period use
Era: Divided Back / Golden Age
The card appears to be addressed to Mr. Burris Herron, though portions of the handwritten address are difficult to decipher with certainty.
Type: Printed Postcard
Style: Comic / Humor
Subject: Courtship / Romance / Couple
Caption: I’m Ashamed of the Old Lights of Your Eyes
Postmark Location: Huntley, Nebraska
County: Harlan County
State: Nebraska
Postmark Date: April 30, 1912
Post Office Dates: 1888–1996
DPO: Yes
Stamp: 1¢ Benjamin Franklin
Postage Condition: Posted
Era: Divided Back (1907–1915)
Year Manufactured: c. 1910–1912
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Theme: Humor / Romance / Postal History / Nebraska
Number of Items: 1
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Good used antique condition with noticeable age and postal wear.
The card shows rounded and worn corners, edge wear, surface rubbing, age toning and scattered marks/staining consistent with a postcard that has been handled and mailed more than 110 years ago. There is substantial period handwriting on the reverse, along with some later blue pencil/ink markings.
The illustrated front remains colorful and attractive.
Most importantly for postal-history collectors, the Huntley, Nebraska postmark is quite legible, including the town, state abbreviation and 1912 date. The original 1-cent Franklin stamp remains attached.
Please examine the photographs carefully for exact condition.
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