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Antique Real Photo Postcard – Military Cadets in Uniform with Swords – Postmarked 1914
This strikingreal photo postcard (RPPC)features a line of six young men posed in full cadet-style military uniforms, complete with swords at their sides. The uniforms vary slightly — most wear light-colored dress coats with black trim and kepi-style caps, while one cadet in the center wears a darker uniform. The photo was taken against a classic painted backdrop, typical of early 20th-century studio portraits.
The back of the postcard includes a handwritten message and ispostmarked “SAINT HILAIRE, MINN – May 25, 1914”with a greenU.S. one-cent Benjamin Franklin stampstill affixed. It is addressed toMrs. Nordquist, 1229 Iron Street, Bellingham, Washington.
The message reads in part (difficult to fully decipher):
“Dear Cousin, How are you and your family? … My Smith family quite well. … from all your cousins … S. E. Raff?”
Format:Real Photo Postcard (RPPC)
Postmark:May 25, 1914 – Saint Hilaire, Minnesota
Addressed to:Mrs. Nordquist, Bellingham, Washington
Stamp:Green 1¢ Benjamin Franklin (Washington-Franklin series, 1908–1922 issue)
Subject:Military / Cadets / Uniforms / Swords – Early 20th Century Americana
Back:AZO stamp box with four triangles pointing up (1904–1918 era)
Condition:Very good antique condition. Some age-related toning and wear at edges, light crease at left margin. Stamp and postmark are clear.
Historical Context:
This postcard likely depicts cadets from amilitary academy or training schoolduring the early 1910s. The style of uniforms — with braid trim, kepi-style hats, and swords — reflects the military dress of the era, similar to what was worn at smaller regional military academies across the U.S. around World War I. The Minnesota postmark places the card inSt. Hilaire, Polk County, Minnesota, a small town with strong Scandinavian immigrant roots — which fits with the recipient surnameNordquist.
A wonderful and rare piece ofearly military cadet history, Minnesota/Washington family correspondence, and 1910s Americana.
