W.S. Heal Leather Postcard with Dickens Illustration Postmarked 1905 with Carmine George Washington 2 Cent "1732-1799" Stamp

W.S. Heal Leather Postcard with Dickens Illustration

Postmarked 1905 with Carmine George Washington 2 Cent "1732-1799" Stamp. Addressed from Austria to Carlsbad, Bohemia (Czech Republic). Very Good +. Small closed tear on bottom edge.

Leather postcards were quite popular from 1905-1910, during what collectors call "The Golden Age of Postcards". W.S. Heal was the premier supplier of leather postcards, which were a favorite among tourists to send home from their vacation locale. Presumably this very post card was sent home from a European vacation.

A bit on the Washington Carmine Two Cent Stamp, from

https://www.mysticstamp.com/Products/United-States/320/USA/:

"Issued in January 1903, the 2¢ Washington was severely criticized by the public. Printed in black ink on India paper, the proofs of this stamp were crisp and clear. After seeing these samples, a New York newspaper stated it was “the finest stamp ever produced.” However, when the actual stamp was printed on the softer stamp paper in red ink, the result was not as beautiful as anticipated. Many felt the overall design was poor, the portrait didn’t resemble Washington, and the stamp appeared too crowded.

Less than two months later, the Postmaster General decided to replace it with a newly designed stamp. Known as the “two-cent revised design,” U.S. #320 was released later that year featuring Washington framed by a modified U.S. shield. The new design, which went to the opposite extreme, was applauded by the public."