Real photo postcard captioned "Lutheran Church, Elkader, Iowa," numbered F-196, by The L. L. Cook Co., Milwaukee. The black-and-white photograph shows the shingled church with its louvered bell tower topped by a cross, tall Gothic window, small cross shield sign out front, and neighboring houses. Standard size, about 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Used condition: a diagonal crease across the upper left of the image, corner wear and a few small spots; postally used.

The back is postmarked Elkader, Iowa, Sep 27, 3:30 PM, 1957, with two green 1c Washington stamps under a wavy-line cancel. It is addressed to Mr. & Mrs. G. H. Stohs (as best it can be read), St. Peter, Ill. The ink message, dated Thursday Sept 27 '57, begins "Dear Children" and reports a wonderful time visiting, a good crop this year, and everyone feeling good, signed "Love, Dad."

A small-town northeast Iowa real photo church view for Lutheran, Clayton County or Iowa collectors.