Masonic Temple, Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada

Offered is an early color postcard featuring the Masonic Temple on Virginia Street in Reno, Nevada. The scene captures the prominent Masonic Temple building along one of Reno’s main streets, with pedestrians, a streetcar traveling on the tracks, horse-drawn vehicles, and surrounding downtown architecture, providing an excellent glimpse of early twentieth-century city life.

Postcard Details

• Subject: Masonic Temple, Virginia Street
• Location: Reno, Nevada
• Publisher: Pacific Novelty Company, San Francisco, California
• Series: P.N.C. Quality Series
• Series number: R 15
• Made in Germany (stated on reverse)
• Printing method: Color lithograph
• Postcard type: Divided Back / Golden Age postcard
• Back type: Divided back
• Embossed: No
• Stamp: One-cent United States Benjamin Franklin stamp affixed
• Postmark: Yes, Virginia City, Nevada, dated April 2, 1917
• Writing: Yes, handwritten message on reverse

Historical Context

This postcard dates from the Golden Age of postcards (approximately 1907–1915), although this example was mailed in 1917. During this era, German printers were widely recognized for producing high-quality color lithographic postcards for the American market. The image documents Virginia Street during Reno’s early development, showcasing the Masonic Temple, electric street railway service, pedestrians, and commercial architecture that characterized downtown Reno in the early twentieth century.

Why Collectors Value It

This postcard is collectible for several reasons, including its appeal to collectors of:

• Reno, Nevada history
• Virginia Street and downtown streetscapes
• Masonic buildings and fraternal organizations
• Electric streetcars and railroad transportation
• Golden Age postcards
• German-made postcards
• Pacific Novelty Company publications
• Early mailed postcards with stamp and postmark

The combination of the Masonic Temple, active street scene, original 1917 mailing, and German production makes this an appealing historical postcard.

Condition

Pre-owned postcard in vintage condition with an affixed one-cent stamp, 1917 postmark, handwritten message on the reverse, corner and edge wear, surface wear, and age-related toning visible.

Please use eBay’s magnifier/zoom feature to inspect edge wear, corners, creases, surface issues, writing, stains, paper loss, album residue, and other imperfections before purchasing.

The postcard shown is the exact item you will receive.