Two of these real photo cards of bullock carts are available. Same negative, but printed at different times so one is more B&W and the other almost sepia. Both have been in albums that left minor diagonal corner indents. The “sepia” card is unused (Grade: 2, $14) while the true B&W card has an extensive message in Japanese on reverse but was not postally mailed (Grade: 4, $12).  Genuinely vintage Singapore postcards.

Real photo card, never mailed, but being in an album left it with diagonal corner indentations. Aged but otherwise unmarked reverse.  Grade: 3

Historic but somewhat dark card, a line through caption on bottom front, and the reverse with glue marks from having been attached to something. There is also a large Chinese or Japanese rubber stamp with a date indication–may be 1920, but if you read either language you will know for sure.  Grade: 4

Continental Stamp Company card 1041, unused, aged, but unmarked and quite nice. Grade: 1

Wilson & Co. take on an (overly) popular theme for early Singapore postcards. More reminiscent of French impressionism perhaps, but more valuable for it. Undamaged reverse. Grade: 1

Never-mailed Malaya antique postcard, B&W, with minor corner abrasions. Reverse has three stains but these are not visible on the front.  Grade: 3

Long-ago view of Malaya on this unused B&W card that has index number 431771. Minor corner abrasions, aged reverse, no other marks.  Grade: 2

Continental Stamp Co. card 1009, not postally used but has extensive message on back, written in Japanese. The card was probably sent in an envelope. Front left corner is significantly creased; edges are abraded.  Grade: 5

Three of these are available. Two have a typo (Rechor) and one is correct (Rochor). All are unused, with multiple languages printed on reverse. Cards have definitely aged but still offer a clear view back into a far-distant life.  Grades: 2

B&W unused card with index number 433664, had been in album but corner indentations are almost invisible. Unmarked otherwise. Grade: 2

The “feel” of this Gevaert photo card is that you are there, in the boat, struggling to get the next amateurish shot. So realistic and so long ago. Tiny front lower corner abrasion; aged but unmarked reverse.  Grade: 2

Of many shots of the river, this is our favourite. The clear B&W real Gevaert photo close-up would be great framed, and if you live in Singapore, how can you pass it up? You won’t find anything better on Orchard Road! Unused, unmarked. No collection of Singapore postcards should be without a view of the river.  Grade: 1

Unused card 54 issued by Max H. Hilckes. It’s a bit aged and smudged on front and back, but no writing or other significant damage. Grade: 3

Real photo card, unused, with almost invisible album indents across front corners but some marks are there on reverse.  Grade: 2

Max H. Hilckes postcard 142. Unused, generally undamaged, though being in an album has left diagonal fading on reverse corners.  Grade: 2

Less-common real photo card of a very early time. Unused; insignificant pencil mark on reverse but very nice otherwise.  Grade: 3

B&W real photo with the one-word caption “Singapore” hidden in the water. Card was never mailed and has no folds, etc., but being in an album left faded marks diagonally across the front and back corners. Grade: 3

Recently in Singapore for the first time in awhile, we noticed two things about postcards:  (1) they’re not everywhere, and (2) they’re relatively expensive compared with elsewhere in Asia.  Nevertheless, we found a few.  This one:  unused, 4-1/2″ x 6-1/2″.  Grade: 1

Unused old B&W real photo, not damaged, just undistinguished. Grade: 1

Blue-tinted card, unused, but card had been in an album that left diagonal marks on corners. Reverse is aged but otherwise undamaged. Grade: 3