Description
This original real photo postcard, dated August 29, 1917, captures a sharply dressed man in a classic boater hat and tie, standing confidently outside a narrow storefront marked with a visible “Cigars” sign. The subject, identified in period handwriting on the back as Sam Gershowitz, stands in New York City just months after the U.S. entered World War I. A pen peeks from his breast pocket, suggesting his occupation may have been in retail, clerical work, or business. Behind him, another man in a bowtie subtly adds depth to the composition, hinting at a candid, street-level glimpse of early 20th-century urban life.
The resemblance to HBO’s Boardwalk Empire character Nucky Thompson is striking – this image radiates the era’s tension between everyday professionalism and big city edge. Whether a shop owner, clerk, or community figure, Sam’s poised presence and confident style make this RPPC an evocative piece of photographic history.
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Dated August 29, 1917, with “New York City” inscribed in period handwriting
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Subject identified as Sam Gershowitz, possibly the man in the foreground
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Features classic 1910s men’s fashion: boater hat, tie, pen in pocket
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Visible “Cigars” signage suggests a tobacconist or general goods storefront
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Strong composition with two male subjects and authentic street scene
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Divided back postcard format, consistent with early 20th-century RPPCs
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Unposted and well-preserved (condition details can be added here)
This is a rare and historically rich RPPC with occupational, urban, and stylistic appeal-ideal for collectors of New York ephemera, early 1900s fashion, and character-driven photography.
