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Offered is areal photo postcardtitled"Camping Time"depicting a mule train camp in a desert setting. The scene features severalmules, two covered wagons, and a campsite with a small structure and smoking stovepipe. The wagon at left is marked"Mule Train Caboose,"while the structure in the background includes the words"Steelstone Pete Seeing America."A sign on the building also reads,"We Want to See the Far Away Places + The Strange Sounding Names."
The reverse is identified as aKodak Photo Post Cardand includes a handwritten notation reading"(Steelstone) Pete Seeing America."
Postcard Details
- Subject: Mule train camp with covered wagons and mules
- Front Caption:"Camping Time"
- Visible Text:
- "Mule Train Caboose"
- "Steelstone Pete Seeing America"
- "We Want to See the Far Away Places + The Strange Sounding Names"
- Postcard Type: Real Photo Postcard (RPPC)
- Printing Method: Real photographic image
- Back: Divided back
- Brand: Kodak Photo Post Card paper
- Postally Used: No
- Stamp: None
- Postmark: None
- Embossed: No
- Publisher: None identified
- Series Number: None visible
Historical Context
Real Photo Postcards (RPPCs) were produced using actual photographic paper rather than printed lithographic or offset processes, making them especially valued for their documentary quality. They frequently captured everyday life, travel, local events, and unique personalities that were not widely distributed in commercially published postcards.
This postcard depicts a mule train campsite in an arid landscape with covered wagons, pack animals, and a temporary camp. The references to"Steelstone Pete Seeing America"and the travel-themed slogan painted on the structure suggest a journey or exhibition centered on cross-country travel. These details are part of the original scene and contribute to the postcard's historical interest.
Why Collectors Appreciate It
This postcard is desirable to collectors of:
- Real Photo Postcards (RPPCs)
- Western Americana
- Mule trains and pack animals
- Covered wagons and overland travel
- Desert photography
- Early roadside and travel history
- Transportation and frontier-themed memorabilia
Its candid photographic composition and documented travel-themed markings distinguish it from more commonly encountered commercial postcard in vintage condition. The postcard isunused, with no stamp or postmark. There is a handwritten identification on the reverse. Age-related wear may include edge wear, corner wear, light creases, surface wear, toning, small stains, album residue, paper loss, or other imperfections consistent with age and storage.
Please use 's magnifier/zoom feature to carefully inspect the front and back for edge wear, corners, creases, surface issues, writing, stains, paper loss, album residue, and any other condition details before purchasing.
