Hi,

Sorry, but I just don't sell postcards, I sell stories! This set of postcards tells a story. Look at the photos closely and read my narrative.

The three different ways to spell Photochrome. Photochrom, Photochrome and Fotochrome!

History

I have two very interesting postcards up for grabs. I can't quite put my finger on them. At first glance, these would appear to be photos taken in the 1970s based on the clothing worn but, it you look closely, you can see that it appears that the same person, a man, is in both pictures. The younger girl with pony tails appears to be in both photos. the clothing of the man sitting with the children appears to be that of someone in the 1970's (best guess of anyone I showed) but the girl in the one where she is standing is wearing what appears to be an older dress. This gets stranger. I found both of these cards together in the same lot. The one where they are standing, was posted in 1939, first year of photochrome, which both of these appear to be. The one where they are sitting, a photochrome, was posted in 1936, three years before the recorded release date of photochrome. Close inspection of these postcards show that they aren't RPPCs but photochrom. 

Ok, we dive in deeper. Both postcards look as if they were printed by the same manufacturer, Tichnor. The Tichnor Brothers were well known in the postcard world for their linen postcards depicting prints of all things cities and towns. I did some research and even searched the Tichnor Archives, but couldn't find one single photo type postcard. I searched eBay, several auction houses and of course, Google. I found nothing. The messages written on the backs don't give any clues away. 

One was posted in Portland, Maine on October 15, 1936 and the postcard was published by Chisolm Brothers of Portland. I searched Chisolm Brothers as well and found nothing worth while. The other one is posted in Saratoga Springs, New York, on August 23, 1936 and was published by Tottens Novelty Shop in Saratoga Springs. I researched Tottens and found only linen cards.

I can only assume the following information. It is obvious that both postcards are of the same subjects. They look to be made by the same manufacturers, best guess, the Tichon Brothers. Both cards were distributed by the Tichnor Brothers as they are the lines that divided both sides on both postcards. I believe the buyer of these postcards were the same, possibly a female named Ruth, as signed on one of the postcards, but mailed out by different people. 

I know that the one that is standing looks like a female at first glance, but at closer inspection, you can see it is the same male sitting.

and yes, there is nothing to hide. That is a B/M with a two young children in his arms, a W/M and a B/F. The other one is what appears to be a young W/M in his arms, one in his right hand and the same young B/F with pony tails walking ahead.

I did find some references and a photo of a female in the 1930s with an afro hairstyle, though they weren't common. Another interesting item is the scenes themselves. The 1930's were filled with racial tension. This setting shows that this wasn't a factor in any manner. I can only surmise that this might have been a day-care type setting, with the odder part being a male teacher.

OK, this next paragraph written in italics is my attempt at using ChatGPT!!!

Indeed, the discovery of references and a photo depicting a female with an afro hairstyle from the 1930s adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative. While afros were not commonly seen during that era, their presence challenges conventional perceptions of hairstyle trends Moreover, the scenes depicted on the postcards offer additional insights. The 1930s were marked by pervasive racial tension, yet the absence of any racial dynamics in these images is striking. This absence suggests a context where racial factors were not prominent, presenting a stark contrast to the broader societal backdrop of the time. One plausible interpretation is that these images may have originated from a setting akin to a daycare or educational environment. However, the presence of a male teacher adds an unexpected twist to this hypothesis, given the prevailing gender norms of the era. Overall, these new discoveries deepen the mystery surrounding the postcards, inviting further speculation about their origins and the narratives they seek to convey. I tried and couldn't answer these questions.

I leave it up to you, the collector, to decide. 

I can safely say you won't find any others like it. If you can shed any light, please send me a message. Any help would be appreciated!!!

I do combine shipping.

I will ship this anywhere for $2.99. It will come in a brand new  Archival Safe Postcard Sleeve and mailed in a rigid photo mailer. I do not attempt to profit on shipping. I merely try to break even. I do offer shipping options on check-out. If you aren't sure about the options, ask me.

Read for some humor. The best thing about my packaging? Each envelope or package is easy to open!!! How many times have you received a package only to spend ten minutes trying to open it without destroying the contents!!! No extra tape, glue, staples, or my worst fear, items shoved between two pieces of cardboard with tape on every edge requiring a surgeons scalpel to open it!!!  Now, you get it open only to find that the postcard sleeve has been taped on every edge so tight, you can't even get a scissors to cut it open requiring you to get the surgeons scalpel out again! Folks, I don't know why so many postcard sellers think that all of that tape makes for a good package!!! It doesn't. Why buy from a seller who can't figure out how to simply pack a postcard when you can just save yourself a headache, and buy mine??? Hope that made you laugh and/or cry like I have opening up some postcards.

Please check back with me-I will be listing many very cool items.

Thanks

Robert