Historic Postcard Appraisal

Vintage Postcard Addressed to Mr. Joseph Marrell, New York City

This item is a vintage postcard, likely a 'penny postcard' given its era, made of light-colored, possibly off-white or cream-colored cardstock. The physical dimensions appear to be standard postcard size for its time, approximately 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches, though exact measurements are not discernible from the image. The postcard is pre-printed on one side with spaces designated for the address and postage. The most prominent feature is the handwritten address 'Mr. Joseph Marrell, 305 Broadway, New York City,' indicating it was intended for delivery in a major metropolitan area. A green 1-cent postage stamp, likely depicting George Washington, is affixed in the upper right corner, indicating it is an early 20th-century piece. Overlapping the stamp is a clear circular postmark dated 'JUL 2 830PM 1952,' originating from 'WORK, N.Y.' (likely an abbreviation for New York). Below the postmark, faint letterpress printing reads 'O. DEPT. U.S. SA', which might indicate a government department or military connection. A vertical box border on the right separates the stamp area from the main address field. The card exhibits visible signs of age and wear, including discoloration, light foxing, and general surface grime consistent with its age and handling. There are no major tears or creases visible, suggesting it has been reasonably well-preserved for a paper item of its vintage.