In the 1900s, postcards became widespread in Samara. Most often, they were photos of city streets and buildings. Today these photographs have certain historical value, they allow us to reconstruct the chronology of important events and explore the architecture of that time.

The 1916 postcard depicts two important places connected with activities of the Klodt brothers — businessmen and merchants who played an important role in technical and cultural development of Samara. On the card, there is the Klodt Mansion which now houses the museum and the Pavlichek Mansion where the Merchant House of Brothers Klodt was located. On the right part of the postcard, a tie-rod with an inscription Klodt between the small towers, a sign and several advertising banners can be seen.

Product range of the Merchant House included Ford and Вenz and Gaggenau automobiles, equipment for electric theatres and cassettes with pictures available for sale or hire.

Buildings on the museum postcard were designed by an architect from Samara — Alexander Sherbachev. He contributed greatly into creating the city’s image. The architect designed mansions and country houses, banks and tenement houses, educational institutions and clinics. Many of these buildings became architectural monuments of different styles. Original ideas and organizational skills of Sherbachev were duly appreciated: he took part in building the Cathedral Church, Nikolaevsky monastery and Polish Catholic Church in Samara.

Two manufacturers are indicated on the postcard: Sherer, Nabgolts and Co. and Agency of A.S. Suvorin and Co. The latter was the largest publisher of postcards with views of the city between 1909 and 1917. Alexander Suvorin is a St. Petersburg journalist, owner and publisher of the New Time newspaper since 1876 and the Historical Herald magazine since 1880. The postcard survived until now as a result of his agreement with the Ministry of Rail Roads. Postcards were distributed in large circulation at railway station booths.