Antique Undivided Back Comic Postcard Policeman Cook Kitchen Cat Humor c1905 For Sale

A charming antique comic postcard from the undivided-back era (circa 1901–1907), showing a classic turn-of-the-century gag. A stout, mustachioed policeman in a blue uniform and cap, with a gold star badge, is perched on a tipping kitchen table and has his arm around the cook. She is in a red polka-dot blouse and long white apron and carries a tray of refreshments. The officer's plate and teacup are sliding off the table, and a startled cat bolts across the floor.
The kitchen is full of period detail: a steaming kettle on the stove, a candle sconce, a lucky horseshoe over the door, and a dish cupboard stacked with plates. A circular inset vignette in the upper corner shows a separate scene of mischief going on elsewhere, a familiar joke about the policeman who is busy in the kitchen instead of walking his beat.
The colors are bright and the printing is crisp, with fine linework throughout. A small artist's monogram appears at the lower corner of the image frame. The front has the wide blank margin that was reserved for the sender's message in this era, since writing was not allowed on the address side before 1907.
The back has an ornate brown "POST CARD" heading, a "To" address line, and a stamp box reading "Place Postage Stamp Here / United States, Canada & Mexico One Cent / For All Other Countries Two Cents."
Unused and unwritten. This would suit collectors of comic and humor postcards, police and law enforcement memorabilia, and kitchen or domestic Americana.
Measures approximately 5 1/2" x 3 1/2", standard postcard size.
Condition:Very good antique condition for its age. Unused and unposted, with no writing, stamps, or postmarks. The image is bright, with strong color and no fading observed. The corners are fairly sharp, with only light edge wear. No creases, tears, or pinholes were observed. There is mild age toning and a few tiny specks on the reverse. Light shelf wear, grime, or discoloration consistent with age may be present. Please review the detailed photos for exact condition.
Specifics:- Type: Printed (Lithograph)- Era: Undivided Back (1901–1907)- Theme: Comics, Humor- Subject: Policeman, Cook, Kitchen, Cat- Postage Condition: Unposted- Original/Licensed Reprint: Original- Size: Standard (5.5 x 3.5 in)- Country of Origin: United States- Number of Items in Set: 1- Signed: Artist monogram (unidentified)
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