An extraordinary real photo postcard documents the temporary morgue established in Cherry, Illinois, following the catastrophic St. Paul Coal Company mine fire of November 13, 1909, one of the deadliest coal mine disasters in American history. The image was produced in March 1910, during the resumed recovery effort after the sealed mine was reopened on February 1, 1910, and is numbered #40 in what appears to be a documentary series. No photographer's imprint is visible on the card.

Dozens of shroud-wrapped bodies are laid out in rows across the earthen floor of a large canvas tent, while more victims rest on wooden trestle tables at center. A crowd of men dressed in dark wool overcoats and hats stands along the far side, several looking directly toward the camera, their expressions somber and still. The tent's white canvas panels and support poles frame the scene with stark simplicity.

The Cherry Mine disaster was a coal fire that erupted on November 13, 1909, killing 259 men and boys, making it the third deadliest mine disaster in American coal mining history. The mine was reopened on February 1, 1910, and body recovery resumed, with the last body brought up on July 7. The tragedy prompted changes in legislation implementing stricter fire and safety regulations in mines and led to the adoption of Illinois's first Workmen's Compensation Act.

Inscribed in white ink on the face of the card: "Cherry, Ill. Mine Disaster / Showing Interior of Morgue / Mch A, 1910, 61 Bodies were brought to Surface." The reverse bears a divided-back postcard format with a red star stamp affixed to the stamp box and the pencil notation "120" in the upper right corner.