Postcards hold interesting look into Sidney's history

As Sidney prepares to celebrate its 150 years of history, a Colorado-based historian is looking at the town's past from a different angle.

John Meissner, director with the Estes Park (Colorado) Archives recently discovered a group of collectables with ties to Sidney, postcards by a renowned photographer that could hold special value.

Meissner has for a number of years been collecting postcard works by Harold Sanborn distributed by Sanborn Souvenir Company in the early 1900s. Part of Sanborn's souvenir line, the postcards were developed from photographs of towns, villages and other points of interest throughout the state.

In his search for Sanborn postcards, Meissner discovered the artist, possibly working to expand his business, took pictures in a number of other states, including Nebraska. Meissner believes some of those trips, where photos were also taken in New Mexico, Montana and Idaho, may have been "working vacations."

The Nebraska series, which includes photos from Sidney, Scottsbluff, Mullen, and the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, has captured Meissner's attention in part, he said, because they are rare.

"There aren't that many of Sidney," Meissner said. Sanborn's practice was to begin making 25 cards. If the market demanded, he might make another 25, or up to several hundred for more popular sellers. Meissner doesn't see reason to believe most Sidney cards were made in sets of more than 25, adding to their rarity.

In terms of dollar value, the Sidney cards could be worth $25-$100. While not the most valuable by far, Meissner said it is still pretty good in a hobby where many cards can be found for $1 apiece.

But Meissner sees another value beyond the collector market.

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