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EARLY 1912 CLEARWATER, FLORIDA REAL PHOTO POSTCARD — “NEW DEPOT”
Offered is an original early Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) depicting the New Depot in Clearwater, Florida, with a remarkable amount of early transportation and local history captured in a single photograph.
The postcard is captioned on the image:
“NEW DEPOT CLEARWATER FLA.”
The scene shows Clearwater’s early railroad depot with a steam locomotive at the station, surrounded by a large gathering of people. Numerous horse-drawn wagons, carriages and early automobiles can be seen throughout the scene, providing an outstanding snapshot of Clearwater during the very early automobile and railroad era.
HISTORIC 1910 CLEARWATER DEPOT IMAGE
The photographic image has been identified in historical collections as Clearwater’s third depot building, photographed in 1910.
This is not simply a generic old Florida railroad photograph. The image documents a specific Clearwater landmark during the period when the depot was brand new.
The photograph provides an unusually detailed look at the area, including:
* The 1910 Clearwater railroad depot
* A steam locomotive at the station
* Railroad passengers and local residents
* Horse-drawn wagons and carriages
* Early automobiles
* The surrounding streetscape
* Architecture and transportation from the 1910 period
The depot shown in this photograph no longer exists. The historic building was subsequently demolished in the 1960s, making this postcard an original photographic record of a Clearwater landmark that has disappeared.
DATED FEBRUARY 14, 1912
One of the strongest features of this particular postcard is the original postal cancellation.
The card is postmarked/cancelled February 14, 1912 at 8 PM.
That provides an excellent documented early date for the postcard and places it very close to the time when the depot was new.
The underlying photograph is identified as dating to 1910, while this particular postcard was already being mailed in February 1912.
ORIGINAL REAL PHOTO POSTCARD
This is a genuine RPPC — Real Photo Postcard, produced from an actual photographic negative rather than a standard lithographic postcard illustration.
The photographic quality, tonal characteristics and postcard construction are consistent with an early 20th-century real-photo postcard.
The divided postcard back and period postal use further support its early manufacture and use.
WHY THIS IS AN INTERESTING COLLECTIBLE
Early railroad postcards are collected not only as postcards, but also as transportation history, local history and early photographic documentation.
This example is particularly interesting because it combines several desirable elements in one image:
EARLY DATE + RAILROAD + STEAM LOCOMOTIVE + DEPOT + PEOPLE + EARLY AUTOMOBILES + HORSE-DRAWN VEHICLES + IDENTIFIABLE FLORIDA LOCATION
The combination of the railroad and automobile-era transportation is especially appealing. It captures a moment when steam railroads were still a major means of transportation while automobiles were beginning to appear on American streets.
The large number of people and vehicles also makes this much more visually interesting than a simple photograph of an empty depot.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Clearwater’s railroad connection played an important role in the community’s early development. This postcard provides an original photographic view of that transportation infrastructure at the beginning of the 20th century.
The depot itself is no longer standing, so this postcard serves as a period photographic record of a demolished Clearwater landmark.
The exact photographic scene has also been preserved/documented by historical collections, which provides additional historical context for the image.
CONDITION
Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition.
This is an original antique postcard that is more than 110 years old. It shows the expected signs of age and handling associated with an early RPPC, including normal surface/edge wear and age-related characteristics.
The photographic image remains very clear and highly detailed, especially considering its age.
There may be minor corner, edge or surface imperfections consistent with an antique postcard. Please use the photographs as the primary condition reference.
This is an antique original and is being sold as a vintage/collectible historical postcard, not as a modern reproduction.
A GREAT CARD FOR COLLECTORS OF:
* Clearwater, Florida history
* Pinellas County history
* Florida postcards
* Early Florida photography
* Railroadiana
* Atlantic Coast Line Railroad history
* Railroad depots and stations
* Steam locomotives
* Early automobiles
* Transportation history
* Real Photo Postcards (RPPC)
* Early 1900s Americana
* Historic buildings and demolished landmarks
A fascinating original photographic snapshot of Clearwater in approximately 1910–1912, showing the new railroad depot surrounded by the people and transportation of the era.
Please study the photographs carefully — there is a tremendous amount of detail to explore in this image.
