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Original Vintage USS Arizona (BB-39) Real Photo PostcardOffered is a fascinating early real photo postcard (RPPC) depicting USS Arizona (BB-39) in her original pre-modernization configuration.The photograph is hand-captioned across the bottom:“THE ARIZONA”The reverse is printed on AZO photographic postcard stock and features the distinctive two-triangles-up / two-triangles-down stamp-box configuration, a pattern generally associated by postcard references with approximately 1918–1930. The postcard is unused/unmailed.Most intriguingly, the reverse contains a handwritten pencil inscription that appears to read:“This is our ship”The photograph itself also contains several small hand-applied markings, including an X and indicator/arrow-like marks near the ship’s aft area.These markings have been preserved exactly as found.Historical & Collector SignificanceUSS Arizona was commissioned into the United States Navy on October 17, 1916. During World War I she operated primarily from the East Coast and later participated in the escort of President Woodrow Wilson’s transport to Europe following the Armistice. Beginning in 1921, Arizona spent much of the decade based at San Pedro, California, operating with the U.S. Battle Fleet. An especially interesting feature of this photograph is Arizona’s unmistakable original cage/lattice masts.In 1929 Arizona entered Norfolk Navy Yard for an extensive 20-month modernization. Her original cage masts were removed and replaced by tripod masts, substantially changing the ship’s appearance. She returned to full commission in March 1931. Therefore, the configuration visible in this photograph is consistent with Arizona before that major modernization. This physical evidence is particularly interesting because it independently agrees with the approximate 1918–1930 period associated with this AZO postcard-paper stamp-box pattern.Connection to Pearl HarborUSS Arizona ultimately became one of the most historically significant American warships.On December 7, 1941, Arizona was attacked while moored at Pearl Harbor. A catastrophic explosion destroyed the ship, and 1,177 officers and crewmen were killed. The wreck remains at Pearl Harbor beneath the USS Arizona Memorial and serves as a memorial to those lost. This postcard therefore depicts Arizona years before Pearl Harbor, while she was still an active U.S. Navy battleship.Period Annotations & Provenance CluesWhat makes this particular example especially compelling are its handwritten annotations.The front bears “THE ARIZONA,” while the reverse appears to state:“This is our ship.”There are also small hand-applied markings on the photographic image itself, including an X and indicator/arrow-like markings near a portion of the vessel.It is possible that these markings were intended by the original owner to identify a particular feature or location aboard the ship. Their actual meaning is unknown.No claim is being made that the X identifies the writer’s duty station, battle station, quarters, gun position or workplace.Likewise, while the phrase “This is our ship” suggests a personal connection to the vessel, the identity of the writer has not been established and there is presently no documented evidence proving that the postcard belonged to or was annotated by a USS Arizona crew member.Those annotations are presented as intriguing period provenance clues, not as established crew provenance.Real Photo Postcard CharacteristicsThis is not being presented as a later printed souvenir postcard.The image exhibits characteristics consistent with a photographic RPPC rather than a conventional halftone-printed postcard, and the reverse carries an AZO photographic-paper postcard back.However, the postcard has not been professionally authenticated or laboratory dated, and the seller makes no claim regarding the identity of the original photographer.Condition & DisclosureThis is an approximately century-old photographic postcard showing substantial evidence of age and handling.Visible condition includes:toning/discoloration, scratches, surface wear, scattered marks/spotting, edge and corner wear, handling wear and a small split/crease along the right edge.The handwritten caption, reverse writing, X and other markings are being left completely untouched.The card has not been cleaned, erased, restored, retouched, pressed or otherwise altered by the seller.The AZO stamp-box dating range identifies the general period associated with this style of photographic postcard stock and should not be interpreted as proof of the exact year the photograph itself was taken.Please examine all photographs carefully. They form an important part of the description and show the exact postcard being offered.
