W.H. Martin RPPC, Giant Apples Wagon, Leavenworth KS, 1909 Postmark

This Real Photo Postcard (RPPC), copyrighted in 1909 by W.H. Martin, features a whimsical scene of a man standing atop a wagon loaded with oversized apples, drawn by a horse. The image captures a playful exaggeration typical of Martin's work, set against a backdrop of early 20th-century Leavenworth, Kansas. The postcard also includes an advertisement for the Wonder Washer and Ringer, adding a touch of local commercial history.

The back of the postcard is postmarked September 5, 1909, from Mount Vernon, South Dakota. It bears a green one-cent U.S. postage stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin. The handwritten message reads: "Dear Bertha, It is raining so we can not thrash have had them about a week I am awful tired of cooking for them. How are you fattie got back from the west yesterday and Laura stayed out there come soon Anna." The card is addressed to Miss Bertha Neugebauer in Hesseington, S.D.

This postcard documents early 20th-century rural life and communication, highlighting the social customs and humor of the era. The exaggerated imagery reflects a period of creative photographic expression, while the personal message offers insight into daily life and travel patterns of the time. Surviving examples provide valuable records of regional history and early advertising practices.