St Joseph Hospital Ashland WI Postcard 1900s EC Kropp Collotype Delaney


$10.99
condition
Used
This vintage postcard presents a striking collotype image of St. Joseph Hospital in Ashland, Ashland County, Wisconsin. The multi-story brick edifice, with its prominent central tower crowned by a cross, dominates the composition. The architectural details, including the fenestration and rooflines, are crisply rendered, and a period automobile parked adjacent to the building provides a sense of scale and anchors the scene in the early 20th century, likely the 1910s-1920s given the E.C. Kropp Co. publishing information and the divided back format. The "Copyright by Delaney" mark in the lower right corner, along with the "ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL, ASHLAND, WIS.—3" identifier in the upper right, clearly designates this as part of the "Delaney Copyright Series 3." This photomechanical print, likely utilizing a halftone screen, captures the hospital's imposing presence against a clear sky, showcasing the institution's significance within the Ashland community. The subtle sepia tones of the collotype process contribute to the postcard's antique charm and historical aura. The postcard's catalog number, "6651," printed on the verso by the Milwaukee-based publisher, further enhances its value for deltiologists and ephemera collectors.
The verso of the postcard, with its divided back design featuring designated spaces for the stamp and correspondence, confirms the E.C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin imprint, a detail of particular interest to those specializing in Wisconsin topographics. The divided back definitively places the card within the pre-1907 era, making it a desirable example of early 20th-century postcard production. Detailed examination reveals [insert specific details about corner and edge wear, surface marks, postmarks if present, and whether the card is postally used/unused, including postmark date if legible]. This specific condition assessment allows for precise categorization according to established postcard grading standards, providing potential collectors with a transparent evaluation of this piece of Ashland, Wisconsin ephemera. The overall condition of this St. Joseph Hospital postcard is [insert overall condition assessment using standard terms – Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor]. The combination of subject matter, publisher provenance, and documented condition makes this postcard a valuable addition to any collection focused on Wisconsin history, hospital architecture, or early 20th-century postcard imagery.