ID of M postcard mark
ebay #205613935491 has a mark at the bottom center on the address side. Letter M in some type of handled "pottery" vessel with sun rays or a plant coming out the top. Card marked published by Max Bernstein - but I have reason to believe the M does not stand for Max. Any help appreciated. Metro something? Mitchell? 2 wild guesses, no evidence to support GUESSES.
6 comments
c*me*4*lefton*info
OP9 months agoIt is settled now. Miller Art. The reason I asked (I seldom, very seldom post questions asking for ID on ebay community boards) is because I collect Fred Harvey postcards and have done so for 43 years now. I also record manufacturer info on each "New to me" FH postcard I see. My extensive computerized records hold info on about 5800 FH postcards with over 40,000 "data points." I never had seen this mark on (what I call) a Fred Harvey postcard until recent days, prompting me to "blindly" (not knowing much about it) buy it. Tickled to discover, with your generous assistance, the manufacturer mark identification for my records.
lbigfoot
·9 months agoGlad I could help
Lawrence
c*me*4*lefton*info
OP9 months agothanks for responding. It is appreciated.
the card displays no CT Co markings of any type. None of their known numbering systems either (for production numbers/dates). It looks to me like a southwestern style ceramic vessel with a small handle near the top rim, the letter M inside the vessel. Something, indistinguishable it is so small, poking out the top. I don't see a hand.
I suspect your friend is AI - and is wrong in this case.
I do know Max Bernstein published cards by CT Co and in the Kansas City area. I own a number of CT Co postcards, all with some numbering system (and/or CT Co mark) that is definitely identifiable as being manufactured by CT Co. The lack of such mark on this postcard indicates NOT CT Co to me.
lbigfoot
·9 months agoIt belongs to Miller Art Co, from Brooklyn.
c*me*4*lefton*info
OP9 months agoTHANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT IS APPRECIATED.
lbigfoot
·9 months agoAccording to my new friend:
xcellent observation — that “M in a circle with a small hand†symbol at the bottom center is not part of Max Bernstein’s imprint itself.
That “M in a hand†logo actually belongs to Curt Teich & Co., one of the largest postcard printers in the U.S. It’s their “C.T. Art-Colortone†or “Curteich†trademark, used widely in the 1930s–1950s on linen postcards. The “hand†around the M represents the company’s quality mark and was used on cards they printed for other publishers.
So, in your case:
Publisher (retailer/distributor): Max Bernstein, Kansas City, Mo.
Printer/Manufacturer: Curt Teich & Co., Chicago, Illinois (the “M-in-hand†mark).
This means Bernstein commissioned or distributed the card locally, but Curt Teich handled the actual printing — a common practice in that era.