E. H. MITCHELL Back Designs and Definitions
E. H. MITCHELL Back Designs and Definitions
Please contact Walt at "wrsky@att.net"NOTICE: This Reference list for E. H. Mitchell backs is for individual personal use only-Use & Reproduction (Including scans) of this listing for business purposes will require Walt's written permission. Links to this page also require Walt's Permission. Please contact Walt at "wrsky@att.net"
Back Designs for -- " T " backs - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1907/08
Back Designs for -- " T " backs - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1907/08
NOTE: See how postcard center divided line is lined up with word POSTCARD.
NOTE: The periods and commas are not always discernible on some backs.
T1 Back
Postcard has words along left edge
NOTE: Two T1 cards found with "PRINTED IN JAPAN"
Vertical words on left edge.NOTE: See how postcard center divided line is lined up with word POSTCARD.
NOTE: The periods and commas are not always discernible on some backs.
Go to the "T1-T4" Check list
T2 Back
Postcard has no words along left edge
Go to the "T1-T4" Check list
T3 Back
Postcard has words along left edge
Go to the "T1-T4" Check list
T4 Back
Postcard has no words along left edge or bottom
Go to the "T1-T4" Checklist
Go to the "T3 5000 series" Check list
Back Designs for -- " DV " backs - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1909- 10
Back Designs for -- " DV " backs - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1909- 10
DV1 Back
(L) "MADE IN AMERICA BY: EDW. H. MITCHELL AT SAN FRANCISCO"
(All LARGE (L) letters at left end of card)
(some may have Gray news additional words)
GO TO "DV1-DV3" Checklist
DV2 Back
(s)"MADE IN AMERICA BY: EDW. H. MITCHELL AT SAN FRANCISCO
CALIFORNIA”
(All small(s) Capitol letters at left end of card)
GO TO "DV1-DV3" Checklist
DV3 Back
(X)"MADE IN AMERICA BY EDW. H. MITCHELL AT SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA"
All LARGE (X) letters at left end of card and small(s) under
GO TO "DV1-DV3" Checklist
Back Designs for -- " DH " backs - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1910 / 1910
Back Designs for -- " DH " backs - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1910 / 1910
NOTE: In many cases you will find that the top (this space for correspondence) words will not align with the words at the bottom of the card (Published by etc.), due to the poor printing process that was used in that time period.
DH1 Back
"PUBLISHED BY EDWARD. H. MITCHELL - SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA."
(All very small(s) Capitol letters at lower left of card)
DH2 Back
"PUBLISHED BY EDWARD. H. MITCHELL SAN FRANCSICO CAL."
(All small(s) Capitol letters at lower left of card)
PS: Another variation of this back has been discovered
#1910 that shows a (.)period in center of line, or (-)dash
between the words Mitchell and San Francisco. Cal.
DH2a Back
"LITHOGRAPHED BY EDWARD. H. MITCHELL SAN FRANCICSO"
(All small(s) Capitol letters at Lower left of card - RARE)
DH3 Back
"PUBLISHED BY EDW. H. MITCHELL, (s) SAN FRANCISCO" (All LARGER Capitol letters (L) at lower left of card, except the word "San Francisco", which is smaller(s) Capitol Letters. Some are shown to be by SOUVENIR Publishing with this back.
DH3a = Pub. by Souvenir Publishing Co. San Francisco & Los Angeles or (L.A.)
DH3b = Pub. by Souvenir Publishing Co., Los Angeles & San Francisco
DH3c = Pub. by Souvenir Publishing Co. San Francisco
DH3d = Pub. by Souvenir Publishing Co. Los Angeles. San Francisco (Vertical on left edge)
DH4 Back
DH4a
Note: DH4a used only on the Calendar cards.
"PUBLISHED BY EDWARD. H. MITCHELL, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL."
(All smaller(s) Capitol letters at lower Right of card)
DH5 Back
"PUBLISHED BY EDWARD. H. MITCHELL, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL." (All small(s) capitol letters at Left edge of card)
(NOTE: These cards were published for Hopf Bros. Co. Seattle to celebrate the "SEATTLE GOLDEN POTLATCH“ Festival July 17-22, 1911)
See Logo #1 & 2
Go to Golden Potlatch Checklist
DH6 Back
"Litho. Edward H. Mitchell San Francisco for the Johnston-Ayres Co."
(All Capitol letters(s) down middle of card)
DH Backs
Go to "DH1 - DH6" Color Checklist
Go to "DH1 - DH6" Sepia Checklist
Go to "DH1 - DH6" 5000 Series Checklist
All Other Mitchel Backs are defined below
UN Back Design- Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1903
UNV Back
Post card letters with scrolling through the words,
Note: The 'C' of the word 'CARD' does not touch the 'A' in the word 'CARD', and is an
undivided back. Picture on front is a vignette, and can be in color, or B/W.
UNV -a
Words "THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS" is in a straight line.
UNV-b
Words "THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS" is slightly offset between "is" and "for", out of line, or a large space between them.
UN1 Back - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1904/1906
UN1
Same as UNV, except there is a white border around the square picture.
Variations are as follows:
UN1-a
Words "THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS" is in a straight line.
UN1-b
Words "THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS" is slightly offset between "is" and "for", out of line, or a large space between them.
GO TO Undivided backs Checklist
UN2 Back
Same as UN1, except words on back read
"THIS SIDE IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ADDRESS"
UN3 Back
Same as UN1, except The 'C' of the word 'CARD' does touch the letter 'A', and "THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS" is at the left bottom
GO TO Undivided backs Checklist
EX 1 Back Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1912
Small Panama Pacific Exposition circle in upper left corner on the back of the card. Usually a H1-2-3, S7A back. Various colors. There is small version of this logo EX1-Small
EX-1
Large Panama Pacific Exposition circle in upper left corner
on back of card. Usually a H1-2-3 back. Various Colors
EX-2
Large Panama Pacific Exposition circle in upper left corner on back of card. Reads "OFFICAL Post Card" & usually a H1-2-3 and “S” backs, and is in B/W. Sometimes in various shades and color. EX4 OFFICAL POST CARD in open type letters. (Same design as EX3)--Used by: Souvenir Publishing Co. (Published by: E H Mitchell) Many of Souvenir EX backs can also be found in the Exposition listing. Cardinell-Vincent cards are represented here.
EX-3
Go to Exposition Check list
HSF Back Hotel Saint Francis Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1909
Hotel St. Francis back (Head and shoulder of St Francis).
ML Back Mt Lowe
Mt. Lowe back (fireplace)
SP Back Southern Pacific - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1913
Train coming through tunnel design on back
Go to HSF-ML-SO Color Divided Backs
S1 - S5 Backs Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1916
S1A
Stamp box like four match sticks, with vertical legend EDWARD H. MITCHELL, Publisher, San Francisco. Word "ADDRESS" usually under the word POSTCARD. Word " Publisher, SAN FRANCISCO " can be in smaller(s) case capitals. Printed in Brown or Black.
May or may not have lines at beginning or end of words Note: Some CVC (Cardinal Vincent) have been seen also with these backs with three lines at ends of words and For Correspondence to left. Some with no numbers and no lines on both ends.
GO TO All "S1-S9a" style backs
Other "S" Variations Are:
S1B
Vertical legend printed all in capitals and line at each end
GO TO All "S1-S9a" style backs
Other "S" Variations Are:
S1C
Legend is Pub. by EDWARD H. MITCHELL, San Francisco, Cal. With a line at each end. Most are in Black lettering.
No words in stamp box.
Also used for the Pacific Novelty / Bardell Cards by EHM-Brown Lettering.
Also one found with brown lettering - Words: Published By California Postcard Co., Los Angeles, Cal.
GO TO All "S1-S9a" style backs
S2A
Large post card letters and word "stamp" in stamp box & word "ADDRESS" under the word POSTCARD. The words "This Space for Correspondence/Correspondence"
sometimes to left. May or may not have lines at ends. May be in color or B/W.
GO TO All "S1-S9a" style backs
S2B
Vertical legend has a line at each end. S2C No publisher shown in vertical. S2D Vertical legends has box-like line at both ends And description words to left- Usually on
Bardell Art Ptg Co.(In vertical and Horizontal)
GO TO All "S1-S9a" style backs
S3A
Large post card letters and words "postage" in stamp box & word "ADDRESS" under the word POSTCARD. Triple lines at ends. The words "This Space for Correspondence" usually to left, or cut cards/trimmed do not have "This Space for Correspondence"
Those with Advertising do not have "This Space for Correspondence ".
S3b
" FOR CORRESPONDENCE " at top left.
GO TO All "S1-S9a" style backs
S4A
Large post card letters & stamp box of four Straight lines.
Three dots before & after vertical divided words. The words "THIS SPACE FOR ADDRESS ONLY" on the right side.
Other Variations of this back may exist with “ADDRESS” only and a straight line
without dots. (Can have S5A Design and stampbox, Usually on Pacific Novelty Co.)
May have Sing Fat Logo.
S4B
Has middle legend reading up.
S4C - Two or three stars at each End of Vertical legend.
S4D - Line at each end.
May have Sing Fat Logo
GO TO All "S1-S9a" style backs
S5A
Large striped post card letters & words
"THIS SPACE FOR ADDRESS ONLY" on the right side. Words "This Space for Correspondence" sometimes to the left. Some with *** at each end.
S5B
Vertical legend has a line at each end.
S5C Vertical Legend – No line at each end.
S6A - Has S5A Stamp box with S1 Post Card (Only found on Pacific Novelty Cards)
S6B – Has S5A Stamp box with S4B Post Card This space for address only (only found on Pacific Novelty Cards)
S6C Also found on Cardinal Vincent Cards
S6D Also found on Bardell Ptg., Co. Cards
S7A - Has Published by Exposition Pub. Co., San Francisco "Only the address may be written here" to right, usually has ROATW on back.
S8A – Has S5A stampbox with S4A stamp logo (Only found on Pacific Novelty Cards)
S9A – Has S4A back with no vertical data Pub by Souvenir Publishing Co. San Francisco & Los Angeles.
BL1
Words in the middle of card on the back. Earliest Postmark Noted: 1906/1907
Does not have a stamp box - See Picture
"This space above reserved for postmark" P O S T C A R D
"This space below is for the address only"
BL2
Words in the middle of card on the back, Does have a stamp box - See picture
P O S T C A R D
"THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS"
GO TO Earthquake-San Francisco 1906 BL1 and BL2
R & D
Rose topped dagger staff in middle of card & publishers-name always in the staff.
PS: There also is R&D type back with A Palm tree at top and
is published By: VOR- Van Ornum Colorprint. Some with Numbers and some without. The cards are suspected to have been Published by E. H. Mitchell.
NOTE: There are many Pacific Novelty Postcards with Words - “P-N-C” at top of rod.
The stampbox is not the same. They are NOT E. H. Mitchell produced postcards.
Only logging them for documentation.
ROD
Rose topped dagger staff in middle of card & publishers-name is on the left lower edge of card (sometimes on adv-types, or sepia). Some W/O data. Pub. Name is sometimes in staff. California Sales is an example.
NOTE: Some cards have been found with a ROD staff and DH2 info and stamp box. San Francisco Cal.
EXAMPLES:
Pomona, Cal. (sepia)
Library Mills College Oakland, Calif. (sepia)
Arlington Hotel, Santa Barbara, Calif. (sepia) ROATW
GO TO SEPIA Checklist ROD and R & D
DRG
Small square picture of a dragon in upper left corner. Most have S5 lettering with the publishers name running vertical in the middle of the card.
Usually a SING FAT advertising card. May not have same stampbox
GO TO Unnumbered Undivided Checklist
GO TO Unnumbered Divided Checklist
HB Backs - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1912
Has Christmas holly all around the back edge & a wreath on both sides of Postcard letters.
"PUBLISHED BY EDW.H.MITCHELL, SAN FRANCISCO" at bottom.
Front Sample
Many different arrangements of views and flowers/holly etc.
GO TO Christmas Holiday Checklist
PS: There also some without the Christmas back and can be found
in the divided unnumbered back listing.
ZOD Backs
ZODIAC-One card for each month of the year. Litho-Published for the Johnson Ayres Co.
GO TO Zodiac Checklist
HMW Backs Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1912
FOR MT. WASHINGTON HOTEL, LOS ANGELES Added to DV1 types in color
GO TO Mt. Washington Hotel (HMW)
CAL Backs
Calendar cards showing the dates/month in a white box. (Many advertisers)
GO TO Calendar Checklist
JBC Backs
For J. B. Caro & Co., Inc. Juneau, Alaska
GO TO J B CARO Checklist
PMC Backs Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1896/1902
Private Mailing cards
PM1 through PM4 are mostly Black and white both front and back and may be Multi-views or vignette.
PM5 and PM6 are the most common and usually colored vignette and backs printed in orange brown. They are found on both smooth and pebbled papers. The name Edw. H. Mitchell appears on the picture side of the card on all undivided backs.
All cards in this group have the words: "Authorized by Act of Congress of May 19, 1898" below PMC words. Note: The "San Francisco" Petriographics are in this group also, as are the Albert Kayser "Pioneers", which is another story for documentation!
PM1 - Private Mailing Card with fancy ribbon and quill pen.
Place a one cent stamp here inscribed in stamp box. "THIS SIDE IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ADDRESS" is at lower left.
(No Postal Card Carte Postale) Undivided back.
PM2 - Same as PM1, except "Postal Card - Carte Postale" hand
stamped above PMC.
PM3 - Same as PM1, except "Postal Card - Carte Postale" Printed “THIS SIDE IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ADDRESS" Legend in stamp box large letters
PM4 - Same as PM1, except “POSTAL CARD-CARTE POSTALE” in black print. Logo Can also be in Black. "This Side Exclusively for the Address"
PM5 - Same as PM3, except legend in stamp box reads: "Place Stamp Here Domestic one cent Foreign two cents." This legend printed in small letters.
PM6 - Same as PM5, except Stamp Box legend is printed in
large letters.
PM7 Backs
Stamp box reads: "Place a One Cent Stamp Here"
Lower left corner reads: "THIS SIDE IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ADDRESS"
PM8 Private Mailing Card
(Only One seen) ( “A Glimpse of Chinatown San Francisco”)
click to SEE SCAN pmc\pm8.jpg
“THIS SIDE IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ADDRESS”
GO TO Private Mailing Checklist
R & Q Backs
Ribbon and Quill- undivided back "THIS SIDE FOR THE ADDRESS" in lower left corner.
Stamp box is larger than the PMC stamp box.
GO TO R&Q Checklist
SAN Divided Backs
SAN Divided - Advertising
NOTE: This back type has not been seen yet!
Is possibly on three different Sanitarium cards.
Advise Walt if found!
TWOF Backs
Two Fold "Mail Card" Published by EHM expressly for Smith's Book Store, Dawson Y. T..
The Back is unique - Picture is: Fairbanks, Alaska, from across the Chenoa River.
Another one found (other part of card no there)
one part is: Pacific Ocean - Seal Rocks – Cliff House
Copyright 1904 by Edward H. Mitchell
DET Backs
Detroit-like (May not be Mitchell cards)
Can be Vignette Style B/W and some by Franz Huld
ICS Backs
Island Curio Store Honolulu - Also Defined as UB-Kind II NOTE: It is not known whether the Island Curio cards are E. H. MITCHELL connected!
UB-Kind I/II/III can have same/similar backs E H Mitchell's UN1b/PMC backs. Hawaii and
South Seas Curio Co., Honolulu DB-Kind Oth1-2-3 are included below
ICSa Stamp box 2 palm trees, no ribbon & Quill (black back)
UB Kind V
ICSaa Stamp box 2 palm trees, no ribbon & Quill
(red) UB-Kind V
ICSc Diamond Head - UB-Kind III PMC
Logos connected with UB Kind III
ICSd Aloha Nui (color) - UB-Kind III -PMC
ICSe Aloha Nui B-series - UB-Kind III - PMC
ICSf No Logo (some unknown) can be UB-Kind IV/XI/II/III - PMC
UB- Kind IV
Logos associated with UB-Kind II
ICSg Stamp box 2 palm trees (one tree shorter), White Border
UB-Kind VII
ICSh Same as ICSg Dark blue titles UB-Kind VII/III - PMC
ICSi Stamp box- 1 palm tree-General Series 1907-1914
UB-Kind X/XI/VI/IX (Some unnumbered)
ICSj Same as ICSi - Black and White
UB-Kind VI
Logo's Connected to UB-Kind VI
UB-Kind X
ICSk Fish and Crab series DB-Kind X ( 1 palm )
ICSl no numbers DB-Kind X
ICSm (Without Steiner name on card)
ICSn Unclassified (includes Franz Huld cards)
ICSp Private Mailing card back-no palms,
black back UB-Kind VIII
DB-Kind VIII
ICSr Post card back-no palms, black back,
stamp box - place stamp here
DB-Kind IX
ICSs Private Mailing Card-no palms,
stamp box-(character/numbers)
DB-Kind XI
ICSt Post Card back-no palms, black back,
stamp box - place postage stamp here
DB-Kind XII
ICSu Postcard Back-Green Back - Aquarium Logo-round
DB-Kind OTH1
ICSw Postcard Back-Blue Back - Aquarium Logo-square
DB-Kind OTH2
ICSy Postcard Back-Black Lettering on back - Made in Germany
DB-Kind OTH3
ICSz Postcard back Same as E H Mitchell back
Go to ICS Checklist
KAY (Kayser) Backs - Earliest Postmarks Noted: 1897
KAY
Kay 1
Kay 2
Kayser Mailing Card
NOTE: OTH-Other backs not defined here, or variations should be zeroxed (or scanned front & back) and sent to Walt for analysis!
See Below: This includes booklets, folders, large cards, comics, Art works, or anything unique published by E. H. Mitchell.
Thank You! Walter Kransky wrsky@att.net