Ely, Boynton & Ely

Ely, Boynton & Ely

Based in Detroit, Michigan.

According to one site, Ely, Boynton & Ely were only in operation from 1903 to 1908 and produced many original cartoon cards some of them featuring Jewish stereotypes.

One report noted that Edward A. Ely, a member of the firm, was critically ill in December 1905, which was probably obe of the reasons for the short life of thwe company.

One detail that helps distinguish early and later Ely, Boynton & Ely postcards is the style of the copyright line. On cards from around 1903–1905 the phrase “All rights reserved by E. B. & E.” is usually set in a small italic serif font, reflecting the typesetting conventions of the time and mimicking book-publishing practice. By 1906–1907, the same wording appears in upright, heavier, or sans-serif typefaces, a shift toward clarity and visibility as postcard design grew more competitive.

This means that two otherwise identical cards — even with the same illustration — can be placed in sequence by their copyright font. Italics typically signal an earlier printing, while upright or bold lettering points to a later reprint within E. B. & E.’s short publishing window (1903–1908). For collectors, this is a small but useful way to date variants and understand the production history of these cards.

Collectors should be aware that Ely, Boynton & Ely postcards sometimes survive in more than one colorway, even when the copyright line and catalog number are identical. A good example is the design “My business is picking up,” numbered 68. Two distinct versions exist: one with a bright yellow/orange coat and sack, and another with a darker green/brown palette.

Both carry the same italic serif copyright line (“All rights reserved by E. B. & E.”) and the same series number.

For more information, see https://undividedbackpostcard.com

Check these postcards from this publisher:

My business is picking up