eBay Title:
Harkert Studio Photography Storefront Moline Illinois Portraits 1988 Postcard
Description:
Color advertising postcard featuring the storefront of Harkert Studio, a photography studio located at 1623 7th Street in Moline, Illinois. The photograph provides a detailed street-level view of the studio, including its large hanging “Harkert Studio – Portraits – Weddings” sign, entrance awning, portrait displays, flower boxes, and storefront advertising.
Signs displayed in the windows advertise High School Senior Portraits and Passport Pictures – 2 for $5, while numerous framed portrait examples can be seen inside the windows. These details make the postcard an interesting record of a neighborhood photography studio and the services and pricing offered during the late 1980s.
The reverse is an advertising mailer for Harkert Studio and includes the slogan:
“At Harkert Studio the focus is on you.”
It also advertises an 8 x 10 color portrait for $4.95 with no sitting fee, with the offer explicitly dated to expire May 12, 1988.
Postcard Details:
Subject: Harkert Studio photography storefront
Location: 1623 7th Street, Moline, Illinois
Business services pictured/advertised: portraits, weddings, high school senior portraits, and passport pictures
Color photographic storefront image
Advertising postcard / direct-mail piece
Dated by promotional expiration: May 12, 1988
Telephone number shown: 764-1161
Bulk-rate U.S. postage indicia
Permit No. 293, Moline, Illinois
No adhesive postage stamp
Postal/mail processing markings visible on reverse
Address label remains attached on reverse
Handwritten “15-” notation near upper edge of reverse
No series number is clearly identified
No embossing apparent from the provided images
Publisher/printer is not clearly identified on the card
Postcard Era / Type:
This is a 1980s advertising postcard, with the May 12, 1988 expiration date providing firm period documentation. The front is a full-color photographic reproduction consistent with the chrome-era postcard format rather than a linen or real photo postcard (RPPC). No specific printing process is identified on the card, so a more precise printing method is not attributed.
Historical Context:
Local photography studios played an important role in documenting family milestones before digital photography became widespread. Businesses such as Harkert Studio provided formal family and individual portraits, wedding photography, school senior portraits, and identification photographs.
This postcard captures several elements of late-1980s commercial photography in one image. The storefront displays framed sample portraits to attract customers, while signs promote senior and passport photography. The reverse demonstrates another aspect of the studio's business strategy: direct-mail advertising using a discounted portrait session as an incentive.
The clearly dated 1988 promotion, visible storefront signage, street address, telephone number, bulk-mail permit, and portrait pricing give the card particularly useful historical context.
Collector Interest:
This postcard may appeal to collectors of Moline and Illinois local history, photography and camera-related ephemera, photography studios, storefronts, small-business advertising, 1980s memorabilia, commercial architecture, direct-mail advertising, and occupational postcards.
Local-business postcards are also useful pieces of social and commercial history because they preserve businesses, addresses, prices, telephone numbers, signs, and storefront appearances that may later change or disappear. The dated 1988 portrait offer adds another collectible detail by documenting the studio's pricing and advertising at a specific point in time.
Condition:
Pre-owned postcard with age and mailing-related wear. Visible condition includes light corner and edge wear, surface marks/soiling and age toning. The reverse retains an address label and postal processing markings, along with a handwritten “15-” notation near the upper edge. Please examine the photographs for the exact condition.
Please use eBay’s magnifier/zoom feature to carefully inspect both sides for edge wear, corners, creases, surface issues, writing, stains, paper loss, album residue, discoloration, adhesive or label residue, postal markings, handling wear, and any other imperfections. The provided front and back images are an important part of the condition description.