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Front Street - Traverse City, Michigan (Real Photo, Devolite Peerless, circa 1950)
Dating Real Photo Postcards
What exactly is a real photo postcard?
Real photo postcards are actual photographs that have been developed onto photographic paper. They are generally the same size as standard vintage postcards (3-1/2" x 5-1/2"). The scan at the top of this page is a real photo postcard; click on it to view a larger image.
How can I tell if my postcard is a real photo postcard?
The easiest way to tell if a postcard is a real photo or not is to look at it with a magnifying glass. Postcards that are NOT real photos are made up of many small dots. If you look at a real photo postcard, the image is solid (no dots).
How can I tell how old my real photo postcard is?
Many real photo postcard have marks that identify the manufacturer of the paper the postcard was printed on. Look to see if there is a stampbox on the back in the upper right-hand corner. If your postcard has a stampbox, it may have words or marks denoting what paper was used.
- Click here to see the back of the postcard shown at the top of this page (Devolite Peerless - circa 1950).
- Click here to view the back of another Traverse City real photo postcard (EKC - circa 1940 - 1950).
If your postcard has markings, use the chart below to determine its approximate age:
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Stampbox Markings
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Dates
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| AGFA ANSCO |
1930s - 1940s
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| ANSCO (2 stars at top and bottom) |
1940s - 1960
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| ARGO |
1905 - 1920
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| ARTURA |
1910 - 1924
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| AZO (Squares in each corner) |
1925 - 1940s
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| AZO (4 triangles pointing upward) |
1904 - 1918
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| AZO (2 triangles up, 2 triangles down) |
1918 - 1930
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| AZO (diamonds in corners) |
1907 - 1909
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| AZO (nothing in corners) |
1922 - 1926
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| CYKO |
1904 - 1920s
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| DEFENDER (diamond above & below stampbox) |
1910 - 1920
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| DEFENDER (diamond inside stampbox) |
1920 - 1940
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| Devolite Peerless |
1950 and later
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| DOPS |
1925 - 1942
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| EKC |
1940 - 1950
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| EKKP |
1904 - 1950
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| EKO |
1942 - 1970
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| KODAK |
1950 - present
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| KRUXO (nothing in corners) |
1907 - 1920s
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| KRUXO (Xs in corners) |
1910 - 1920s
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| NOKO |
1907 - 1920s
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| PMO |
1907 - 1915
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| SAILBOAT |
1905 - 1908
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| SOLIO (diamonds in corners) |
1903 - 1920s
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| VELOX (diamonds in corners) |
1907 - 1914
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| VELOX (squares in corners) |
1901 - 1914
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| VELOX (4 triangles pointing up) |
1909 - 1914
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| VITAVA |
1925 - 1934
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Are real photos still made today?
Yes. Look for marks on the back that tell what type of paper was used, such as the statement, "Printed on Kodak Paper".
If you are interested in learning more about postcards and postcard collecting, be sure to visit our Recommended Books page.
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