A young man astride an early Indian motorcycle poses before a broad stone staircase in this real photo postcard dated by inscription to circa 1910. The Indian name is clearly legible in script on the fuel tank, placing this among the pioneering years of the Springfield, Massachusetts manufacturer, which had already gained international racing fame by this period. No photographer's imprint appears on the reverse.

The rider wears a dark wool jacket, matching trousers, leather gloves, and a soft cap pulled low on his forehead. The motorcycle displays an exposed V-twin engine, springer front forks, wide swept handlebars with a horn mounted at center, a cylindrical auxiliary tank fitted to the left side, and period-correct beaded-edge tires. Trimmed evergreen shrubs and a white masonry building frame the outdoor setting.

Indian Motorcycle was founded in 1901 by George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom and by 1910 was producing some of the most advanced motorcycles available, competing directly with Harley-Davidson for market dominance. The exposed drivetrain and loop frame visible here are consistent with Indian's single-speed and two-speed models offered in that era.

The reverse is printed in the divided-back real photo postcard format with "POST CARD," "CORRESPONDENCE," and "NAME AND ADDRESS" fields. An inscription in pencil at top reads: "Indian Motorcycle ca. 1910."

From the collection of James Lee Soffer