Private Mailing Card – Pan-American Expo 1901

 Before analyzing the Pan-American Exposition post card from Buffalo, NY in 1901, you should know a little about postcard backgrounds.

Pioneer Period Postcards 1870-1898

 Congress passed legislation on June 8, 1872, that approved government production of postal cards. The first government-produced postcard was issued on May 1, 1873. One side of the postcard was for a message and the other side was for the recipient’s address. By law, the government postcards were the only postcards allowed to bear the term “Postal Card.” Private publishers were still allowed to print postcards, but they were more expensive to mail than the government-produced cards (2¢ instead of 1¢).

 Private Mailing Card 1898-1901

 On May 19, 1898, Congress passed an act allowing private printing companies to produce postcards with the statement “Private Mailing Card, Authorized by Act of Congress of May 19, 1898.”   Messages were not allowed on the address side of the private mailing cards, as indicated by the words “This side is exclusively for the Address,” or slight variations of this phrase. However, if the front of the postcard did not contain an image, it could bear a message. If the front did have an image, then a small space was left on the front for a message.  This allowed private publishers to print postcards that could be mailed for 1 cent postage.

 Undivided Back Period 1901-1907

 Messages were still not allowed on the address side of postcards. By this time, the front of most postcards had images, which eliminated it as a space for messages.  After 1907 by an Act of Congress, messages were allowed on half of the address side of a postcard.  This ushered in the golden age of postcards (1907-1915), so named because of the popularity of sending a 1 cent postcard with a message.  It was a quick way to communicate! Since then, postcards continue to be used but are mainly purchased as souvenirs – when you can find them.

This rare Private Mailing Card example is from the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY, held in 1901. Notice on the stamp side of the card are the words “Authorized by Act of Congress of May 19, 1898”.  In addition, the words “Private Mailing Card” and “This side is for the address only” were added to fulfill the legal requirements for private mailing cards in 1899.

This card is published by a private publisher as identified in the lower left corner, “copyright applied for by M. Schoenlein 1899”.    L.C. Weller Lith Buffalo is the printer identified in the lower right corner on the printed side of this postcard.  L.C. Weller Lithographer was listed in the 1899 and 1902 Buffalo business directory.

 Another interesting thing to note on the postcard is that it was mailed from Buffalo, NY in November of 1899 with the Pan American Exposition pictorial postmark for the Pan American 1901 Exposition.   The other side of the card was blank which left room for a message on the postcard.  This postcard single postcard entertains several audiences, postal history, expositions and advertising.

This year marks the 23rd year of the Denver Postcard & Paper Show.  The winter event will be held January 20-21 at the Holiday Inn Lakewood, CO.  Dealers will have postcards, photographs, maps, postal history, travel brochures and much, much more.  Mention this article and receive $1.00 off admission or visit www.denverpostcardshow.com.  Dealer inquiries always welcome.  Hope to see you there!