Page 27 - JOAMay2021

During the 1920s, the Modern Chrome Era 1939 Onwards
Model T Ford and an improved The development of Photochromes or Modern Chromes brought
road network in the US saw about the current age of travel postcards. As you would be familiar,
growth in domestic tourism. these mailers have smooth, glossy surfaces with sharp edges and vibrant,
American travelers sent post- accurate colors. Vintage travel postcards are not only a snapshot of a
cards of national landmarks, destination in time—a nostalgic reminder of how a place has changed.
landscapes, tourist and roadside They reveal stories about the development of photographic and printing
attractions. 1920s postcards technology, as well as the evolution of the postal service domestically
were usually based on black and and abroad. These seemingly simple pieces of card have traversed land
white photographs that had and ocean, bringing some of the world’s most beautiful and wondrous
been hand-colored. places right to our doorsteps.
Postcards (any postcards, not just travel) are one of the most collected
s Linen Card Era items in the world, right up there with coins and stamps – so aspiring
s
deltiologists, you are in good company. Keep an eye out for unused
1930-1945
“Linen postcards” were postcards as they tend to be more valuable. You may also wish to take
any postcards from older relatives and they can document the journeys
popular, though they weren’t they have taken. There are plenty of online resources to get you started
really made of linen. A new collecting and collectors’ communities are always ready to adopt you
printing process made use of into their ranks.
less costly card stock with a
A glossy photo
higher fabric to wood pulp con- postcard showing
tent ratio, to which a linen Knecht's Covered
texture was applied. Bridge Bucks
Cheap production and By using paint to colorize this postcard, it County PA
brighter colors made linen cards certainly takes on a more illustrative effect. currently selling on
popular. Most designs were From a series of 63 hand-colored eBay for $4.45,
photographic postcards detailing the
photograph-based images that experiences of Holyoke, Massacushetts just one of the
were often so retouched, they advocate and businessman Christian many online
appeared to be drawn. The Schuster traveling among the Piegan options showing
linen card printing technique Blackfeet, c. 1920s, selling at Auger Down the variety and
was developed by Chicago- Books for $9,500 values of this fun
based postcard manufacturers collectible
Curt Teich and Co. Company founder, Curt Teich, was a German
native who brought cutting-edge printing techniques from his home- This article originally appeared on Duende by Madam ZoZo – an inspirational
lifestyle blog for cultured, curious, and creative travelers, seeking unique and
land to America, though was highly secretive about his process. inspiring experiences.
Curt Teich and Co. was the same company that introduced the
much loved “large letter” postcard design in color, during the Linen
Card Era. Also known as “big letter postcards”, the designs featured a
place name in bold type with small photos appearing within the letters.
This design had failed to gain popularity earlier in the century
due to postal restrictions combined with black and white imagery.
However, with the vibrance of color printing and the introduction
of divided back cards for messaging and addressing cards, the
design exploded.

“Greetings from
ALABAMA”
is an example
of a linen
“Big Letter”
postcard

Florida
Daytona
Beach Casino
Burgoyne
linen
postcard,
c. 1920s

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