When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
WWI Underwood & Underwood Men in Trench,
Engineers on the Hike
The Chicago Daily News
G. J. Kavanaugh
War Postal Card Department
This postcard is a World War I military postcard from the \"War Postal\" series published by the Chicago Daily News.
Postcard Details
Subject: Captioned \"Engineers on the hike,\" it depicts a column of U.S. Army Engineers marching in full field gear (including packs and \"lemon squeezer\" campaign hats typical of the era).
Publisher: The Chicago Daily News (specifically the G.J. Kavanaugh War Postal Card Department).
Era: Circa 1917–1918. While the back has a \"Divided Back\" style (common 1907–1915), these specific war series cards were produced during American involvement in WWI.
Printing Method: B&W Lithograph (though some collectors mistakenly label these as RPPC, they are high-quality mass-printed images).
Condition Assessment
Front Condition
Surface: The black-and-white image is crisp with good contrast. There is no significant \"silvering\" (the shiny metallic sheen sometimes found on old photos) or heavy scuffing.
Edges & Corners: The corners are remarkably sharp for a card of this age. There is very minor softening at the tips, but no major \"dog-ears\" or creasing. The edges are straight without noticeable chipping.
Centering: The image is well-centered with consistent margins.
Back Condition
Cleanliness: The back is unposted and \"clean,\" meaning it has no writing, stamps, or postmarks. There is very little \"toning\" (yellowing/browning from age), which suggests it has been stored away from light and high acidity.
Integrity: There are no signs of adhesive residue or thinning from being previously mounted in a scrapbook.
Minor Flaws
Dust/Debris: There are a few stray fibers/hairs visible in the photo, though these appear to be on the surface where the card was placed rather than embedded in the card itself.
Estimated Grade
In the world of deltiology (postcard collecting), this would likely be graded as Near Mint (NM) or Excellent.
Measures 5-1/2\" x 3-1/2\"
Please review the attached pictures for additional details.
Shipping will be combined for multiple items purchased and shipped in the same package
