On Dec. 16, 1907, sixteen U.S. battleships departed Hampton Roads, Virginia for a historic tour around the world. President Theodore Roosevelt was on hand to see the fleet off. Dubbed the "Great White Fleet" because of the white-painted hulls of the ships, the powerful flotilla's mission was to promote goodwill and to show any potential enemy (especially Japan) the U.S. Navy's vast naval power.

The fleet was first commanded by Rear Admiral Robley "Fighting Bob" Evans. He later fell ill and was replaced by Rear Admiral Charles Sperry. The person pictured in the postcard is Sperry. A series of postcards were issued by Japan's Department of Communications in commemoration of the fleet's visit to Japan (Yokohama). The card above and below are from this series. The kanji characters above the eagle's head reads "Kangei" which means welcome.