The post card craze hit America in the late 19th century when the government authorized their use. Untold numbers of postcards were printed and mailed, and still are printed and mailed.
Real Photo Post Cards, or RPPCs as they are known among postcard collectors, are individual photographs made into postcards. Presumably the family bought a supply from the photographer and then used them in its correspondence. Many of the cards below are used, some are not. The J. W. Wright cards are clearly advertising pieces.
This unmailed RPPC's divided back places its production after 1907. This is a Stick Seat Runabout from 1903.
This hand colored postcard was postmarked in WInchendon, MASS on November 27, 1912 and its divided back dates it after 1907. The vehicle in front of the horse and buggy is almost certainly a Stanley. It appears to be a 1903 or 1904 Model C or CX.
This RPPC is postmarked Wincheste, NH on January 15, 1911, long after this car was made and sold. This car appears to be a 1903 or 1904 Panel Seat Runabout. It has no fenders. The couple may be Mr. & Mrs. Horner, (and their dog), as the postcard is signed Ella Horner.
This RPPC is postmarked in Fairlee, VT on December 28, 1910. The car appears to be a 1907 Model EX with a 10 hp engine. There is no door between the front seat and the mother-in-law seat, where the gentleman's mother is apparently sitting.
This unused RPPC caries the single word Valentine on its divided back. The closeup of the driver makes identifying the car difficult, but it appears to be 1906 or 1907 Model F.
This RPPC is postmarked August 1, 1907 and was taken After a spree on the beach. Tell your pa Cleo is O.K.details a visit to the beach. The car appears to be a 1906 or 1907 Model F 20 hp Touring Car.
This RPPC was never mailed, perhaps becasue it was printed so badly off center. The divided back places it after 1907. The car is a 1908 Model M 30 hp. Why the photo was taken in a back alley rather than in front of the family's home is undertain.1
This unused card, entitled Motoring with a "stanley" in Jamaica. shows a proud Stanley Steam Car owner with his car and his black attendant. Its divided back dates it after 1907.
This RPPC is dated June 14, 1908 and postmarked St. Louis, MO. It would appear to have been taken outside the St. Louis Stanley dealership, as one can read [ST]ANLEY ST[EAM CAR] [SO]UTH SIDE AUTO on the sign at the right. It appears to be a 1908 Model H5, the Gentleman's Speedy Roadster[1]
This RPPC of downtown Kingfield, ME is dated December 2, 1911 and postmarked Kingfield, ME. It is signed Erman and addressed to Fred Marriott. This is almost certainly Erman Stanley, one of the Twin's nephews (son of Solomon Liberty Stanley). Erman worked at the Stanley Motor Carriage as a book-keeper, before he died at a young age (of heart disease) in 1914. The Stanley Archive at the Stanley Museum has a letter he wrote to his Aunt Gustie as a young boy, otherwise nothing of his survives.3
This advertising postcard for the Oilzum company was apparently a give-away at an unidentified Philadelphia auto show in 1910. The signature of the driver, F. N. Baldwin, is printed on the card and the local dealer, D. Walter Harper, has stamped the card.
These two postcards illustrate Fred Marriot in what is likely a Stanley Model H. These two cards are quite similar but slightly different in the printing on the reverse. These may be reproduction cards. See Kit Foster's book, page 191.2
J. H. Wright was The Stanley Steamerman in Independence, IA. This advertising RPPC was sent to a potential customer, Warfield Pratt Howell CO. in Cedar Rapids, IA from Independence, IA on July 7, 1911. It illustrates a light delivery wagon built on a 1910 Model 60 chassis, as it has a 10 hp engine.
This RPPC advertising postcard was never mailed. J. W. Wright, The Stanley Steamer Man has this car so decoratted that its model designation is impossible to discern. There is a second Stanley entering the photo behind Santa Claus. The photos are posed in front of Wright's Garage.
This is a reproduction photograph of the image used to make the RPPC showing The Santa Claus Car. The location of the original photo is unknown.
According to the inscription, this Stanley Mountain Wagon was used in Touring Mexico 2-13-13. The seat is marked Royal Gorge.
Stanley Steam Cars in Colorado are well documented, as F. E. Stanley went to Colorado for his health. Here is a Stanley passing the famous Sheaps Head Rock. Note the inscription on the card Sheeps Head Rock, Loveland Estes Park, Colo. & So[uthern] Ry., Colo. This card advertised the railroad's tourist business.
This RPPC seems to date from the 1950s. Yes, that is a Stanley, but who the Son of a Gun is remains a mystery.
Modern Stanley Postcards
The development of the antique car hobby following World War II bronght with it the use of antique automobiles in various advertising and promotional programs. The Stanley Steamer was a major part of these programs.
Many museums produced postcards showing their Stanley, White, Locomobile, and other steam cars. The cards below reflect these trends. This is by no means a comprehensive collection.
This 1913 Stanley was featured on Pennzoil Z 7 postcards, as were Locomobiles. Here are three versions of the card. This car was owned by many years by Ray Nelson of North Holllywood, CA.2
Although this Stanley is identified as a 1911, it is probably a 1912 Model 73, given the shape of the fenders and its aluminum body.2 This version of the Pennzoil card is less common than the 1913 Stanley Pennzoil cards.
Museum Postcards - Arranged Alphabetically
Stanley Steam Cars have been part of automobile museums since automobile museums started. They are often featured on postcards produced and sold by those museums. Here are some examples.
Antique Auto Museum of Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ
The Antique Auto Museum of Arizona in Scottsdale, advertised that its collection included at least one steam car. Its make and year are unknown.
Antique Auto Museum, Larz Anderson Park
This 1906 Stanley was on loan to the Antique Auto Museum, Larz Anderson Park, Brookline, MA from Frank Gardner at the time this postcard was produced. It is serial number 2296.
This 1912 Stanley was loaned by Frank Gardner to the Antique Auto Museum, Larz Anderson Park, Brookline, MA at the time this postcard was produced. It is serial number _____.
Auburn Heights
This 1908 Stanley Model EX, serial number 4213, is still operated by the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve. Tom Marshall states that
The card is our Model EX, photographed alongside our Museum in 1961. The caption on many of these cards was used for the Stanley Steamer Room in the Horseless Carriage Restaurant at our Newark (DE) Holiday Inn in 1964-66. I think we later had them re-captioned for the Magic Age of Steam in 1971.4
This 1908 Stanley Model EX, serial number 4213, is still operated by the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve.
James Melton Autorama, Hypoluxo, FL
This 1908 Model K, Serial Number 4161, was owned by the opera star, James Melton.2
This is another view of Melton's 1908 Model K Serial Number 4161.
This popstcard is another view of Melton's 1907 Stanley Model K, serial no. 4161, which he incorrectly identified as The Gentleman's Speedy Roadster, rather than the Semi Racer which it is. The Gentleman's Speedy Roadster is a Model H5.2
This advertising popstcard shows Melton's 1907 Stanley Model K, serial no. 4161, with its wheel lock on the front right wheel. It is part of the Highway of Memories series and promotes A. Paddeu & Co. for "Better Buys In Home Furnishings."
This second Paddea & Company advertising popstcard is postmarked and addressed exactly as the first, but the typewriter used to address the card is different.
This 1915 Stanley Mountain Wagon postcard is postmarked March 6, 1978.
Boothbay Railway Museum, Boothbay, ME
This 1903 Stanley Steam Car is associated with the Boothbay Railway Museum in Boothbay, ME.
This 1903 Stanley Steam Car card was also produced as a puzzle card. This example is still in its original packing.
Bridgewater Auto Museum
The Bridgewater Auto Museum had at least two Stanley Steam Cars. It was owned by Walt Meyer and was also known as the Walt Meyer Auto Museum. It was apparently sold off in the 1990s after Walt Meyer passed away. The earlier car is probably a Model CX and the later car is probably a Model 60. The current owner is unknown.2
This is Morris Paley's 1916 Stanley Steam Car. The postcard is stamped Souvenir Auto Museum Bridgewater, N.Y. The zip code dates it after 1961.
The Early American Museum, Silver Springs, FL
This 1909 Model E2 Stanley Steam Car card is on loan from Kelly Williams, the keeper of the Official Stanley Steam Car Registry. This car was at the The Early American Museum, Silver Springs, FL. It is serial number 4520. Sadly, the Museum no longer exists.2
Edaville Railroad, South Culver, MA
This 1907 Model H5 Stanley, Serial Number 3704, was on exhibit at the Edaville Railroad in 1964. Today it owned by the Wells Auto Museum (Glen Gould Collection).2
Gilmore's Car Museum, Richland, MI
This 1908 Model EX Stanley Steam Car card is on loan from Kelly Williams, the keeper of the Official Stanley Steam Car Registry. It is on exhibit at the Gilmore Car Museum in Richland, MI. It is serial number 4039.
Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford, as the museum is now known, has steam cars in its collection. This is a 1910 Model 60, Serial Number 5137.2 There are two variations of this card known at present.
The Henry Ford, as the museum is now known, has steam cars in its collection. This is an exterior view of its 1910 Model 60, Serial Number 5137.2
This is apparently a later printing of the card above, THe Henry Ford's 1910 Stanley Model 60 Serial Number 5137.
This is a view of the early automobiles in The Henry Ford.
The Henry Ford, as the museum is now known, has steam cars in its collection. This is a 1910 Model 60, Serial Number 5137.2 There are two variations of this card known at present.
The Henry Ford's 1910 Stanley Steam Car is featured on this postcard. It is the same Model 60, Serial Number 5137, pictured above.
The Henry Ford's 1910 Stanley Steam Car is featured on this postcard with a white title border on the bottom. It is the same Model 60, Serial Number 5137, pictured above.
This card is a variation of the card above that shows the Henry Ford's 1910 Stanley Steam Car.
The Heritage Plantation of Sandwich, Sandwich, MA
This 1911 Stanley is Serial No. 5908. Courtesy of Kelly Williams.2
Horn's Cars of Yesterday, Sarasota, FL
This Stanley Steam Car is identified as a 1902 Stanley. It was, at the time this photo was taken, at Horn's Cars of Yesterday Museum in Sarasota, FL. It was subsequently sold at least twice.
This card is a variation of the card above. This Stanley Steam Car is identified as a 1902 Stanley. It was, at the time this photo was taken, at Horn's Cars of Yesterday Museum in Sarasota, FL.
This card is a third variation of the Stanley Steam Car identified as a 1902 model.
The Bellm Cars & Music of Yesterday promoted itself widely with billboards in Florida.
The VSCM's webmaster distinctly remembers seeing this car on a Hoke Family vacation to Florida sometime in the early to mid 1960s.
Horseless Carriage Museum
The Horseless Carriage Museum was located ten miles south of Rapid City, SD on Route 16. It featured this 1905 Stanley Steam Car.
Kelsey's Collection of Antique Motor Cars near Camdenton, MO didn't quite get the year correct for this Stanley Steam Car. Its pointed condenser suggests it was made in 19192.
This car is a 1907 (not 1906) Gentleman's Speedy Roadste. It is serial number 3497.2
Long Island Auto Museum
This 1908 Stanley is identified as a 30 hp Model K. At the time this card was printed, Joel E. Finn of Poughkeepsie, NY owned this car. It is serial number 4105 and is now at the Owl's Head Museum.2
This 1910 Stanley Steam Car a Model 60, 10 hp runabout, serial number 5245.2 It is currently in France. It was owned in 1980 at the time of this card'd printing by Stu Herman of Redding, CT. The photo is taken at the Mt. Washington Hotel at the 1980 VMCCA Diamond Anniversary Glidden Tour in New Hampshire.
This 1911 Stanley was in Henry Austin Clark's collection at the Long Island Auto Museum in Southampton, NY. It is a Model 63, Serial Number 6069.2
There are several variations of this 1911 Stanley that was originally in Henry Austin Clark's collection at the Long Island Auto Museum in Southampton, NY. It is a Model 63, Serial Number 6069.2
Here is a third variation of the 1911 Stanley that was originally in Henry Austin Clark's collection at the Long Island Auto Museum in Southampton, NY. It is a Model 63, Serial Number 6069.2
This 1909 Stanley Model R is shown at the 1970
V.M.C.C.A Vermont Gas-and-Brass Tour in Orford, New Hampshire. It is serial number 47522.
This 1912 Stanley Steam Car Model 73 is shown at the July 1976 V.M.C.C.A New York Region Meet at Lyndhurst, Tarrytown, NY.
Visitors to the Long Island Auto Museum in Southampton, L.I., N.Y. could rid in this 1921 Autocar two-cylinder, Rubberneck Bus. Photo by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.
Musee de l'Automobile, Montreal, Canada
This 1903 Stanley Steam Car is a Panel Seat Runabout. It is one of some fifty restored cars in the museum.
The Museum of Automobiles, Morrilton, AK
This 1907 Stanley Model K, Semi-Racer, is serial nunber 4161 and came from Melton's Collection. The Museum of Automobiles no longer owns this car.2
New Jersey Antique Auto Museum
This 1919 Model 735 Stanley Steam Car card, serial number 19239, carries the New Jersey Auto Museum name.
Owl's Head Museum Transportation Museum
This postcard is postmarked October 1, 1980, Portland ME. It is a product of the Owls Head Transportation Museum and illustrates The Great Race between the 1912 Curtis Pusher Model D airplane and the 1908 Model K Stanley Steam Car, Serial Number 4105. The winner of the race is not stated on the card.[2]
Pioneer Village, Minden, NB
The Pioneer Village in Minden, NB still has this this 1910 Model 62 Stanley Steam Car, Serial Number 5131, on exhibit.2
The Pioneer Village in Minden, NB exhibits Air Cooled, Electric, and steamers. It is not clear if the car at the right is a steam car.
An exhibit hall in the The Pioneer Village in Minden, NB. There must be a steamer in this picture somewhere!
The Science Museum, London
The Science Museum of London identifies this as an 1899 Stanley
The Smoky Mountain Car Museum
The Smoky Mountain Car Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN included this 1922 Model 740 Stanley, serial number 22283. It was sold at auction in 2006.2
The Sunflower Museum
This 1921 Stanley Steam Car at the Sunflower Museum in Lake Tomahawk, WI may actually be a 1918, as it has no door handles.2
Time Was Village Museum, Mendota, IL
This 1910 Model 60 Stanley Steam Car was on exhibit at the Time Was Village Museum in Mendota, IL, but sadly that Museum has closed. It is serial number 5195.2
The J. B. Van Sciver, Jr. Collection
This Stanley Steam Car was owned by J. B. Van Sciver, Jr. at one time. It subsequently was donated in pieces to an Ohio technical school that sold it at auction. This roadster is Serial No. 23495
Stanley Unit Railway Car
The Stanley Unit Railway Car.
Robert Lyon, the long time President of the Steam Automobile Club of America, apparently produced a series of large or oversized postcards to remind members of upcoming meetings. These two cards reveal his sense of humor. The Stanley is a 1913 Model 65 serial no 7203. The driver is _____ Brause and his passenger is Margaret Harris.2
End of CHicago to NY Race Stoddard Dayton and Stanley - find story and link The 2nd Bob Lyon card used an image from the 1951 race between 1913
Stanley Model 65 #7203 and a 1911 Stoddard-Dayton, from Chicago to NY.2
Other Stanley Steam Car Postcards
This view of Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, showing the First House in Plymouth, MA, cleaerly shows an early Stanley in the center of the parking lot. It would appear to be a Model EX.
This 1911 Model 62 10 hp Stanley Steam Car, Serial Number 6081, is currently in England.2
This card is on loan from Kelly Williams, the keeper of the Official Stanley Steam Car Registry. It was in the Frank Gardner Collection when this postcard photo was taken. It is a 1912 Model 74, serial nummber 6520. It is now privately owned.
Floyd E. White created this postcard of a 1913 Stanley Steam Car. It appears to be a Model 65 or 77, but its current location is unknown2.
The 1912 Stanley Steam Car pictured in Charlevoix, MI in 1962 remains unidentified.
This Stanley Mountain Wagon is identified as a 1914. Its publisher is in Denver, CO and the card may have been sold in Estes Park where the Stanley Hotel is located.
This is a salesman's sample card. Note the address Hometown 7, State. Although the card does not identify the car, this is a non-condensing Stanley.
These two cards show a 1911 Stanley Mountain Wagon operating in Woodstock, VT in the late 1960s by Stanley Steamer Tours. It was a put together car by the Bourdon Family and later disassembled to source other cars.2
Not Quite a Stanley Steam Car
Although identified as a Stanley Steamer 1911, the hood shape and the radiator cap clearly identify this as an internal combustion automobile.