This postcard photograph was not mailed -there is no indication of the subject or of the location.

The design of the postcard (the small picture size) and the “undivided back” suggest a date circa 1905 – although it could be a year or two earlier.

Here, an older man rests on the porch of a house that is largely hidden.

This seems to be a side porch, as there is a suggestion of a porch roof on the side of the house stretching behind the man.

The man sports a straw hat and he appears to be wearing suspenders.

A rake lies beside the man, suggesting that he is taking a break from some chores.

It is possible that the picture was taken by an itinerant photographer, or it may be an example of an early shot from a personal camera – the “Brownie” camera was introduced by Kodak in 1900.

The blue hue of the print lends further support to this being an amateur product – perhaps by a printer working in a local store or newspaper office.

It would be great if we could find any clues to the identity of the man on the porch, but the lack of any details in the small print makes that unlikely.

One hopes that our subject was refreshed by his break and that the work with the rake was accomplished successfully.