Original antique postcard mailed from Shanesville, Ohio, on September 1, 1908.
The front is an attractive embossed floral design featuring vivid red flowers, white blossoms and a purple ribbon surrounding a small card reading “Best Wishes.” The card was printed in Germany, typical of the high-quality German-produced postcards imported into the United States during the Golden Age of postcards.
The reverse bears a particularly desirable postal-history feature: a clear SHANESVILLE, OHIO circular postmark dated SEP 1 / 7 PM / 1908.
The card retains its original 1¢ green Benjamin Franklin stamp, with the stamp and cancel clearly visible.
Shanesville was located in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
Postal-history records shown with the card document the office as:
Shanesville — 1822–1968
The Shanesville post office was therefore in operation for approximately 146 years before being discontinued.
That makes this a genuine Ohio Discontinued Post Office (DPO) usage, mailed about 60 years before the post office closed.
The 1908 Shanesville postmark is quite attractive. The town name is readily readable across the top, OHIO appears at the bottom, and the date and time are visible in the center.
Post Office: Shanesville, Ohio
County: Tuscarawas County
Postmark: SHANESVILLE, OHIO
Date: September 1, 1908
Time: 7 PM
Post Office Dates: 1822–1968
DPO: Yes — discontinued 1968
Stamp: 1¢ green Benjamin Franklin
Postal Use: Genuine period use
Era: Divided Back / Golden Age
The card was addressed to Miss Stella Hostetler, Baltic, Ohio.
The message begins, “Hello! How are you?” and appears to be signed Dora.
Front Design: Embossed floral “Best Wishes” greeting
Colors: Red, purple, green, white and black
Printing: Color lithographic/printed design
Embossed: Yes
Country of Manufacture: Germany
Posted: Yes
Postmark: Shanesville, Ohio
Date: 1908
The “PRINTED IN GERMANY” marking is another nice feature. German printers dominated the premium American postcard market before World War I, and these early embossed German cards are generally much more attractive than the later mass-produced greeting cards.
Type: Printed Postcard
Subject: Flowers / Best Wishes
Occasion: Friendship / Greeting
City: Shanesville
County: Tuscarawas County
State: Ohio
Country: United States
Postmark Location: Shanesville, Ohio
Postmark Date: September 1, 1908
Post Office Dates: 1822–1968
DPO: Yes
Stamp: 1¢ Benjamin Franklin
Postage Condition: Posted
Era: Divided Back (1907–1915)
Year Manufactured: c. 1908
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Features: Embossed
Theme: Flowers / Greetings / Postal History
Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
Number of Items: 1
Good used antique condition with expected wear from age and postal use.
The card shows corner and edge wear, light creasing, age toning and scattered surface marks. There is handwriting on the reverse as originally mailed. The floral front retains strong, vivid color, and the embossed portions remain visually attractive.
The Shanesville, Ohio postmark is unusually readable, with the town, state, date and time all identifiable. The original 1-cent Franklin stamp remains attached.
Please examine photographs carefully for exact condition.
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