1903 Columbia Portrait Co Chicago Advertising Cover 2¢ Washington Stamp #1493

Original 1903 Columbia Portrait Company advertising cover from Chicago, Illinois, featuring an attractive illustrated company logo and period promotional advertising. The front is printed with “Columbia Portrait Company – Makers of Fine Picture Frames” and lists the business at the Haymarket Theatre Building, 161 West Madison St., Chicago. Additional advertising reads “Medallion Portraits Will Increase Your Cash Sales” and promotes their portrait business. Mailed from Chicago on June 29, 1903, the cover retains its original 2¢ Washington postage stamp, tied by a clear machine cancellation. Addressed to Mr. Francis E. Croarkin, 1114 Ashland Block, Chicago, Illinois. A very appealing piece of early Chicago advertising and postal history, with excellent crossover interest for collectors of photography-related ephemera, portrait studios, picture-frame advertising, Chicago history, and early 20th-century postal covers. Condition shows expected age-related wear, including toning, edge and corner wear, creasing, small tears/opening wear along the upper edge, and minor staining. The reverse flap also shows wear. Please review all photos carefully for exact condition. Original 1903 advertising cover — not a reproduction. Stamp and postal markings remain intact.