Here are two, hard-to-find, standard sized, real photo postcards taken after the 1924 Republican National Convention on the porch of Calvin Coolidge's father's homestead at Plymouth, Vermont.
After a national nominating convention, political party officials would conduct a "notification" ceremony, when each person would be presented with formal paperwork at their homes about their nomination. (Until FDR, most were never actually at the convention). Then they'd make an acceptance speech to an adoring, hometown crowd. Shortly after that, the second banana would take a train to meet the top banana and, many times, it was the first time they'd met!
So that's what's happening on these photo postcards taken during the summer of 1924. Charles Dawes is having a conversation while posing for photographers with the (literally) sitting president, Calvin Coolidge, after being placed on the GOP ticket with him. There's a fairly common formal pose of them, taken at the same time, on a more common postcard, our eBay item 274529809142. In that one, you can see the black armband Coolidge has on his left arm after his son recently had died of blood poisoning after playing tennis at the White House. These rare cards are much less formal and not often found, and Cal's left arm is excluded from view on both. And, unlike the other image, these men aren't identified. So these have "slipped by" most political collectors. We can just hear General Dawes saying, sotto voce; "Hell'n Maria, Cal, we're gonna whomp those democrats good." They are in nice condition but please enlarge our images to judge this for yourself so you can be happy with your purchase. We are members of APIC and sell only authentic presidential and other collectible material so buy with confidence. We'll be happy to combine S & H costs on multiple purchases. Shipping on this will be $4.50 carefully packed, first class with tracking. And we'll buy the insurance on your package to protect both of us since we can't replace them.
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We recently had the good fortune to purchase the life-long collection of one of the Midwest's premier political postcard specialists, who also happens to be a very good friend. Since many of their cards are duplicates of our own, we both felt it was important to offer great cards back into the collector market, so that others continue having the fun of discovery and pride of ownership that we have experienced over the decades. Hopefully you can find a gem or two to add to your own collection, so check our eBay store over time for this great opportunity.
Our collecting interests fall into all categories of presidential campaign material, but postcards remain at the top of the list. Like buttons, their graphics can be spectacular. But they have the added advantage of being able to contain a lot more of it with much more diverse art. They may relate to a specific person or event or articulate opposing campaign slogans. Many can be "mated-up" with an example for another candidate: the 1912 pennant cards have seemingly endless color combinations, images and slogans so you'll never have them all, which keeps your quest alive. Some have "coat-tails" and are geographically specific or contain "hopefuls" or are from an person's early career. One can simply collect their favorite candidate. In history, the 1908 election occurred at the height of the overall postcard craze by the public, so one can acquire a massive collection for that year alone. Cards can be one-of-a-kind real photos, printed photos or lithographs while others are part of an set. Some are cross-collectibles involving baseball, other sports, artists, causes or holidays. They can show one or more candidates - often even the opposing candidates - which one rarely finds on pins.
Just remember this: if it doesn't have a printed place for a stamp and an address or wasn't machine-mailed like most modern examples, by definition it ISN'T a postcard. Having it used through the mail confirms its history (if you're worried about reproductions) and adds to its depth. Be aware that condition may be part of the mailing: it's important and can affect the value. But being obsessed and possessed like many button fanatics over obtaining perfect condition examples can be time wasted from the joy of collecting.
Cards are much more personal than pins. You know they were handled, way back when, and are also meant to be today (using care). If folding or mechanical, they MUST be touched and worked to fully appreciate them. Many backs contain a political message or show a postmark nailing down a small town or date. Some show a particular moment in American history: a meeting of great individuals or the last days or hours of a person - often the president. Others then show the early days of his successor. Pins don't often show that.
Many cards have anti-cartoons - their great, artwork barbs and blurbs are classic political fun; sarcastic, creative, witty and sometimes suggestive, as being rendered by the famous or not-so. Pro-examples can gush enthusiastically. Some reflect America's socially or racially questionable past from which we may learn. Others show an obscure candidate and were printed in rather limited numbers. Postcard evolution from the late 19th-century to the oversize mailers of today can be displayed in one tray. Can you tell we love 'em! Therefore, we're listing a broad selection to pique your interest and show what we mean about how great, diverse and wonderful these relatively affordable political collectibles are. Most of all, have fun with them. Postcards were meant to be FUN.