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A 5.5x3.5" vintage RPPC photo postcard (NOT a modern reprint) from the estate of a vintage postcard collector. This was part of a huge collection of antique postcards.
* We always automatically combine orders for shipping, so add as many postcards as you’d like to your order!
Photo Overview
A charming early 1900s real photo postcard showing the C.D. Ames farm property in South Otselic, New York. The elevated vantage point captures a broad sweep of classic upstate New York rural landscape, with white farm buildings including a barn with a cupola, an outbuilding, and a residence nestled among mature trees. A horse-drawn buggy is visible on the lane in the foreground, and the rolling, cleared hillsides dotted with additional homesteads stretch into the distance. The white caption lettering identifying \'C.D. Ames\' and \'South Otselic N.Y.\' is printed directly onto the image in the style typical of custom RPPC postcards of the era.
The postcard is unused, with a divided-back format and a \'Place 1-Cent Stamp Here\' box featuring a sailing ship vignette - a back design style consistent with approximately 1907-1915 production.
Historical Notes
South Otselic is a small hamlet in Chenango County in the Otselic Valley of central New York State. The town of Otselic was a quiet agricultural community throughout the early 20th century, built on dairy farming and small-scale agriculture much like what is depicted here. The C.D. Ames farm shown here was typical of the prosperous family farms of that era in central New York - multi-building complexes with barns, outbuildings, and residences set against the characteristically rolling, partially wooded hills. By mid-century, many such family farms in Chenango County were consolidated or abandoned as agricultural economics shifted, making early photographic records like this one increasingly rare documents of the region\'s rural heritage. The hamlet of South Otselic remains a very small community today, making this postcard a valuable piece of local history.
Print analysis
This is an original Real Photo Postcard (RPPC), printed on photographic paper directly from the negative, consistent with early 20th century production (c.1907-1915). The photographic surface, tonal quality, and divided-back postcard design with 1-cent stamp box all support a Type 1 original print made close in time to when the photograph was taken. No Kodak watermark is visible on the back, but the photographic print quality and paper stock are consistent with period RPPC production.
Condition
All postcards we sell are in fair to excellent vintage condition. Please see photos for any tears, folds, smudges, or other age damage that may be present.
