Two young men pose astride an early motorcycle on a residential sidewalk in this real photo postcard dated 1913. The format places the image on standard postcard stock with a divided back, no photographer's imprint, and a handwritten date inscribed at the top of the reverse. The motorcycle's visible engine, exposed cylinder, acetylene headlamp, and spoke wheels are consistent with American single-cylinder machines produced in the early teens.

The rider in front wears a white dress shirt and a striped necktie with a flat cap, his hands resting on the handlebars. The passenger behind him sports a ribbed knit sweater and a bow tie, his laced leather boots planted on the footrests. Both subjects face the camera directly and wear relaxed, confident expressions. A clapboard bungalow with a covered front porch occupies the background at left, with a second frame house visible at right.

Early motorcycle photography of this period captures a moment when ownership of such machines was a genuine marker of youthful modernity, and images like this were commonly produced as real photo postcards for sharing among friends and family.

The reverse bears a standard undivided correspondence layout printed in block letters, with "1913" inscribed in pencil above the POST CARD heading. No address, message, or publisher imprint appears.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer