Closing in some from the previous card, and descending to ground level, the artist has rendered the Temple building at night with the appearance of lights on the upper half of the towers.
The description on the back states:
THE ‘MORMON’ CHURCH, whose official designation is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was organized in Fayette, Seneca County, New York, April 6, 1830, with six members. The week of April 6, 1930 was celebrated as Centennial week wherever a unit of the Church was then located. The illumination of all ‘Mormon’ Temples was part of the ceremonies. The Church now has approximately 1,000,000 members.
–Obviously, now that nearly 75 years have passed, there are far more members of the LDS church. This card dates from the 1940s.
Tag: 1940s
Temple Square at Night, Salt Lake City, UT
This card image is an artist’s rendition of a more common daytime scene, but with a dark cast and a few added lights to imply nighttime. On the right is the Mormon Temple, and center is the domed building of the Tabernacle.
The description states:
The Temple Block is a ten acre square, encompassed by a solid stone and adobe wall, 12 feet high an d3 feet thick, with large gates on each of the four sides. Within the wall red the Great Mormon Temple, Tabernacle, Assembly Hall, Museum, the First House built in Utah and Bureau of Information.
–This card dates from the 1940s.
Swimming in Great Salt Lake, UT
This image is an example of the kind of swimming possible in a lake so saturated with salt that one can easily float like a cork without any effort at all. The threads and perforations indicate that once there was a small bag of salt attached to the card.
The Great Salt Lake has receded and refilled a few times since this image was made, and it is unlikely the buildings shown are still in use. The famous Saltair resort was the most active venue along the lake, and has seen many ups and downs.
The description states:
Great Salt Lake, located 15 miles west of Salt Lake City, is the largest of its character in the world. The water is about 22% solids and one may float upon its surface without effort. Thousands of tons of salt, obtained by solar evaporation, arer produced annually by the industries on its shores.
–This card, like the others in the same series, dates from the 1940s.
Governor’s Reception Room, Salt Lake City, Utah
This image illustrates the elaborate and ornate decoration of the Utah State Capitol, in particular the Governor’s Reception Room. The only unexpected decoration visible is the white pillow in the center of the image resting on one of the blue armchairs. This postcard also shows the perforations and threads indicating some small bag of material was attached, but whether it was salt or another mineral is unknown. Other versions of this card exist that had no attached bag.
The description is quite detailed:
GOVERNOR’S RECEPTION ROOM, UTAH STATE CAPITOL, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
The Gold Room, which is southwest of the Capitol’s main hall, is the governor’s reception room, in which Presidents and royal visitors have been received. The room is the most elegantly furnished and equipped of any of like character anywhere. The tapestry, the window curtains as well as the wonderful rug on the floor, were all especially made for this room. The color scheme throughout was dictated by the architect of the building. The total cost of the furnishing in this room was over $65,000,000. The mural paining on the ceiling was done by a world-famous artist.
Rug made in Scotland.
Size 22 ft. x 48 ft. Weight 1,350 pounds.
Curtains made in Florence, Italy.
Draperies made in Belgium.
Chandeliers made of Utah gold and silver.
Mural painting by Louis Schettle.
Tapestry of French production.
Furniture inlaid with Utah gold.
Capitol cost $2,739,528.54
–This card was used and is dated June 1955, but is likely from the 1940s based on others in this series.
Salt Beds, Great Salt Lake, Utah
This image starts a two week visit to Utah, featuring several notable sites. First off is a long view of the salt beds at the edge of the Great Salt Lake, at a time when they were extensively mined for salt.
Most notable about this card is the perforation and thread along the right edge. This indicates that when first sold, the card had a small cloth bag of salt attached to the card. Like most such cards, the salt bag was detached and inspected or displayed. However, there are two cards with the bags still attached that will be displayed at the end of these two weeks.
The card description states:
Great Salt Lake, located 15 miles west of Salk Lake City, is the largest of its character in the world. The water is about 22% solids and one may float upon it surface without effort. Thousands of tone of salt, obtained by solar evaporation, are produced annually by the industries on its shores.
–Postage for these was an additional penny at the time, bringing the total postage from 2 cents to 3. Postcards like this one are now prohibited by the Postal Serivce, as the attached bags would foul or damage the address reading machines.
This postcard was used, and is dated July 1948
Eastern Front, Mount Vernon estate house
This is another view of the George Washington home on the grounds of Mount Vernon, where Washington lived and is now buried. An earlier image from this blog showed an almost identical photo in monochrome, with some slight variation in the age and development of visible trees.
This and other pictures in the series were sold by the Mount Vernon’s Ladies Association. This organization still maintains and operates the estate, a rarity since most such historic places are under the auspices of the National Park system.
The description on the back of the card states:
The Mount Vernon Mansion, East Front
From a Photograph in Natural Color
It is believed this card dates from the 1940s.
Kitchen Garden, Mount Vernon, Virginia
This image from Mount Vernon, Virginia shows a portion of the kitchen garden. These were name this as they were filled with fruits and vegetables grown and harvested for the estate kitchen, unlike the more ornamental gardens populated with flowers and shrubs.
The plants most easily visible appear to be grapevines. The caption on the back of the card states only “View in the Kitchen Garden, Mount Vernon.”
This card is believed to date from the 1940s.
Flower Gardens, Mount Vernon, Virginia
Another view of Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, this time from the outside, featuring a portion of the flower gardens.
The back of the card states simply “The Mount Vernon Flower Garden”.
It is believed this postcard dates from the 1940s.
Washington’s Study, Mount Vernon, Virginia
This is an image of George Washington’s desk and chair as it might have looked just before his death in 1799.
The back of the card states only “General Washington’s Desk and Chair, Mount Vernon.
A visual curiosity is present in this image. Directly behind the main chair, highlighted against the bright yellow curtains, is a three part candle stand. Initial investigation seems to indicate that the stand is simply floating in the air.
Closer examination indicates there is a narrow brass pipe stand holding the platform up, which coincides exactly with a fold in the yellow curtains, causing the pipe stand to essentially disappear.
It is believed this postcard dates from the 1940s.
Music Room, Mt. Vernon, Virginia
This card highlights a harpsichord purchased by George Washington for his step-granddaughter, Nellie Custis. The room is now more correctly called the Small Parlor, after its conversion from a bedroom in its earlier days.
The description on the back states simply “The Music Room at Mount Vernon.
This card is believed to date from the 1940s.