Lot #786: Vintage 1913 Minnesota USA Postcard - Boats, Lake, Mountain - "M. Mark Company" - Dec. 25, 1913 - Pillsbury Building - USA 1¢ "G.Washington" Stamp

One Vintage 1913 Minnesota USA Postcard, used, showing boats in a lake near a mountain. This blue-and-white coloured postcard does not clearly indicate a publisher, but bears a logo of "M Co." with three tulips, and has a divided back. (The "M Co." logo with three tulips identifies the publisher as the M. Mark Company, a firm that specialized in high-contrast lithography during the early 20th century.) Includes One Green USA One-Cent "George Washington" Stamp. Postmarked December 25, 1913 at Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Addressed to "Dr. M. A. Jones, 513 Pillsbury Bldg, City" Ink message in bold hand: "Merry Christmas. A. W. 1913". The "blue-and-white" coloring is characteristic of Cyanotype or Duo-Tone printing, which was often used to evoke a sense of cool, crisp air—perfect for a mountain lake scene. (This card possibly depicts Lake Washington or Lake Chelan with the Cascades in the background.) Blue-toned postcards were a popular stylistic choice between 1905 and 1915, offering a more artistic, atmospheric feel than standard black-and-white photography but at a lower cost than full-color chromolithography. The address provides a fascinating link to the history of Minneapolis. the Pillsbury Building was located Located at 6th and North Third Avenue (and later 608 Second Ave S), was a hub for the city's professional class. In 1913, it was a premier medical and dental office building, with Dr. M. A. Jones in Suite 513. Addressing the card to "City" indicates that both the sender ("A.W.") and the recipient were residents of Minneapolis. This was a "local drop" card, where the postal service was used for a quick, same-town holiday greeting. The seemingly unusual postmark of December 25, 1913 was not so unusual in the early 20th century, when mail was often delivered on Christmas Day. Receiving a card postmarked on the holiday itself was a testament to the efficiency of the Minneapolis postal sorting hubs during the peak season. Dimensions: 9 mm x 14 mm Pickup category timeslot {A}