Tag Archives: 1930s

Beach Scene, Manitowoc, WI

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This is a fairly unusual composition for American postcards. While the image is common, what stands out is the attention paid to the photographer by the people in the near foreground. Rather than a candid photo with their faces turned away, they are posed for the photographer’s benefit.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


This card marked the last one before the journey proceeded to Green Bay. The beach is not otherwise identified, as there is no description on the back. The black markings across the upper half are the result of mechanical cancellation.
Both the bathing suits and the postmark identify this in time, and the date is June 1939.

Downtown Manitowoc, Wisconsin

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This image shows an idealized view of a principal street in the town of Manitowoc, WI.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


There is no description on the back of this card. The black marks across the sky in the image were caused by mechanical cancellation. As the cars depicted would indicate, the date on the card is June 1939.

Sabin Lock, Soo Michigan

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This image is of a steamship waiting to progress through the Soo Locks between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. This particular lock is currently unused pending replacement with a much larger lock once funding is secured.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


There is no additional description on the back of this card, but the steamship pictured here is named after James A. Farrell, the former president of the U.S. Steel Co.
The postcard was used and is dated June, 1939.

Michigan Logging Wheels, Traverse City, Michigan

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This next card in the series is a historical relic even for the time this postcard was made. By the 1930’s horse-drawn logging was played out in the Traverse City area, but devices like this remained. This one was even demonstrated as shown in the photo.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


As with the others of this series, there is no description on the card back. The Michigan logging wheel operated by looping a chain under the logs, then winching them up enough to hang free of the ground, allowing the horse team to pull the load without dragging. Some versions would drag the trailing tip of the lower log, others would suspend the entire load with chains on the axle and the drawbar.
This card was used and is dated June 1939.

Beach at Traverse City, Michigan

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This card the the first of five which were purchased and mailed during a family trip from Cadillac, MI to Green Bay, WI. This is a colored photo of folks enjoying a day at the beach in Traverse City, MI.

Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art Colortone”


The swimwear fashions shown give a good indication of the era, but since the postcard was mailed, it can be conclusively dated at 1939.

Hurry Back Inn, Traverse City, MI

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This weekend folio has an old family connection. The owner of this establishment has the same name as my great-grandmother, and was likely her brother.




This folio is very old, and as such has no description printed on it. The address noted on the cards still exists, and can be viewed with Google street view, but there is another business there now, and likely has been for a long time.
The presence of garlands in most photos implies the pictures were taken around Christmas time, but it is not possible to identify the era any closer. The photos most likely date from the 1930s.

Clinch Park Zoo, Traverse City, Michigan

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Pictured is an accidental performance by some bear cubs that once lived at the Clinch Park Zoo in Traverse City, MI. This is in past tense both because the bears likely died of old age long ago, but also because the zoo closed September 6, 2010, victim of budget cuts and the outdated and restricted habitats available to the animals. It had been in operation for over 75 years.

Orson W. Peck, Traverse City, Michigan


These three young entertainers were probably drinking milk or some similar formulation, and the fact they all reared up at the same moment upon receiving their meal made for the memorable photo.
This postcard was mailed and postmarked, the date being June 19, 1939, so the picture dates from the 1930’s.
 
 

Chillon Castle, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

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The last postcard in this series is a photo of the Château de Chillon, built on a promontory extending into Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It is much larger than it appears from the angle of the photo, as most of it extends back from the current point of view.

Société Graphique Neuchâtel


There is no description on the back except for the printing company, noted above. This is marked as 1495 in the series. It is not the date of the castle, which has existed at least since the 12th century.

Reuss River Bridge, Train Station and Alps, Lucerne Switzerland

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This postcard is an elevated view of the bridge across the outflow of the Reuss River (at right) as it enters Lake Lucerne. In the near background is the Lucerne Train Station, and the far background is lined with Alps.

Edition Photoglob, Zurich


The photo likely dates from the late 1920’s, as the card was purchased during a holiday visit in 1930.
It is number 1517 in the series.

The Lion of Lucerne, Switzerland

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This postcard is a closeup of the famous memorial to the Swiss Guards who defended the French Monarchy against the revolutionary mobs in France in 1792. The card has as its only legend the Swiss name Löwendenkmal.

Edition Photoglob, Zurich


The inscription below the lion is much longer than shown here, and includes the names of many of those who died in the defense. The postcard was likely purchased in 1930, though the artwork has not changed meaningfully since its creation.
It is number 1624 in the series.