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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Wulfe on January 20, 2014, 12:59:37 pm
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Ahoy there,
Anyone got an opinion on this postcard, My guess is a Russian circus bear but that's a total guess. Bought a massive collection of old postcards and ww2 photos etc.
Brent
Australia
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Why Russian? What is on the flip side of the card?
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I knew you would ask that haha, I will take a picture soon. It's your usual run of the mill vintage postcard, nothing written on it, in english. I don't know where I got that from, I just haven't seen bears like that anywhere else.
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That postcard could be very collectible. Circus RPPC's (real picture postcards) are what they are called. There many on several sites, such as, eBay, Ruby Lane and others. Are you selling this postcard?
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real photo is how we describe them in the UK
Certain cards fetch ridiculous money.
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No idea of actual origin of your card , Wulfe ....
used to be a 'thing' that folks did at 'roadside attractions/camps' (keeping captive bears) in the northern climes of Wisconsin & Minnesota (U.S.A.) , along with bear souvenirs & sometimes a soda machine where one could hold the bottle for the (caged) bear to drink .
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regularjoe2, can remember as a kid when a convertible came driving into town with a bear driving it! The police pulled the car with the owner and his bear over. Couldn't ticket him because there is not law that allows bears to get licenses! It was funny! (The guy actually had the car rigged so he could drive it all with his feet and small hand wheels low by the arm rests.)
Bears were a great big thing in the mid 1900's like regularjoe2 said.
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Bears are still pretty big these days KC :P
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I knew you would ask that haha, I will take a picture soon. It's your usual run of the mill vintage postcard, nothing written on it, in english. I don't know where I got that from, I just haven't seen bears like that anywhere else.
..You obviously havnae been tae Ibrox then.....for if ye had...you,d have seen thoosands o,bears..like this sorry excuse...of a bear....especially on a Seturday efternane....efter the match.... ;D
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That story makes more sense! Wish there was more info attached to it. There were no notes scribbled on the back or anything
Closest thing to that we had back in the day here were bare knuckle kangaroo boxing haha'
Brent
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regularjoe2, can remember as a kid when a convertible came driving into town with a bear driving it! The police pulled the car with the owner and his bear over. Couldn't ticket him because there is not law that allows bears to get licenses! It was funny! (The guy actually had the car rigged so he could drive it all with his feet and small hand wheels low by the arm rests.)
Bears were a great big thing in the mid 1900's like regularjoe2 said.
Bears are so cute.Ha...would,nt get me sticking my noggin in its mouth....
http://video.uk.msn.com/watch/video/wrestling-a-grizzly-bear-in-my-garden/2ux3kwpz1
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Here is the back of the card. Am not sure if I'm going to sell to be honest. Never come across one like this before
Brent
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Have you looked up Monty Co.? Maybe that's the circus. It looks like someones purchase from the circus, and they marked it on the back.
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I did have a brief look at that but didn't come up with anything, I have just found a great circus resource though so I will look into it further and update you guys if I find anything more.
thanks so much for your help! What a great community.
Brent
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I'd say Monty was the bear's name. There's reference on the net to real photo card of a bear called Monty standing on his back legs. Unfortunately can't see the card.
Monty - then " C. Co. " is possibly the location
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Sorry, ...i,m not into chained up cubs...in fact i,ll go as far to say..this is animal cruelty ...and if looking at this gives you joy.....then...well .. :-X...i don,t want barred.....but If you want to see more pics like this...just go to Romania...then you can fill a book with ...young bears chained to posts...with iron rings through their noses, ..all in the name of tourist entertainment...
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I happen to agree with BigWull! I just watched Black Fish don't get me started, lol.
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big wull it has the same effect as watching the animal cruelty on commercials. Poor thing looks hungry and out of place.
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Black Fish was pretty full on.
I did some research. it's possible that those initials stand for C.R. Montgomery who had a circus in the mid 40s in Oregon. As I found the postcard in Oregon I guess that would make sense. I found the email address of his grand daughter and she said she will have a look at it and get back to me soon so fingers crossed. Otherwise I guess the Bear was named Monty haha
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Monty is a cute name for a bear. Maybe better than Yogi! ;D
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Haha! Totally agree!
Hopefully it checks out. If it is a circus Postcard, what would a realistic price be?
I think I paid $6 for it
Brent
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It's the old saying "it's worth what someone will pay for it." I have many antique postcards. Sellers may start the bids at $14.99 or $6.99. I have paid more than $50. For some. Some really good circus photos sellers will just ask $100. - $125.
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Interesting!
So the reason I see some go really high is just that the seller has put a high value on them.
I understand why tattooed ladies and all those go really high but being that it's just a bear in a chain I can't see it being that high haha. But looking into the story behind it has definitely made that $6 worthwhile for me.
Thanks for the advice Greenacres :)