Early use of the divided-back postcard

Abstract

An article on the subject of the Malta Post Office's acceptance of the divided-back postcard on 2nd March 1906, by Dr. Giovanni Bonello, appeared in the PSM Journal of December 2003 (Vol.32 No.3). This meant that as from that date written messages were to be allowed on the back of a picture postcard, along with the address. Dr. Bonello then goes on to mention the early use of one such card as a divided-back some ten months prior to the official consent. The card referred to by Dr. Bonello comes from a series of divided-back postcards, published by photographer S. L. Cassar, well in advance of their acceptance by the local Postal Authorities. Several of these cards are found postally used prior to 1906, (my earliest being 8th January 1905). But as Dr. Bonello rightly points out, they were used as undivided-back cards, since messages are found on the picture-side, and only the address appears on the back of the card. [excerpt]