Homes of the Stars

Among the over 900 postcards of 1930s-40s California held by the Boston Public Library, a distinct set stands out. Apparently in this period it was very popular to print postcards depicting the private homes of movie stars. Many are even verifiable as having belonged to the named celebrity. Even then, the line between the private and public lives of celebrities was certainly blurred. 

These aren't dated (beyond the vague ca. 1930-1945 range given to the entire collection), but based on the celebrities, they seem to come from the mid to late thirties. The first postcard below, the home of Bing Crosby, was certainly created between 1936, when the house was constructed, and 1942, when it burned down. 

Boston Public Library

Home of Bing Crosby, 1936-1942. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Gary Cooper. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Ginger Rogers (I). Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Clark Gable. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Eleanor Powell. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Ginger Rogers. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Spencer Tracy. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Robert Taylor. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Joan Crawford. Source

Boston Public Library

Home of Mary Pickford (who was already an old-timey star by then). Source

Boston Public Library

Terrifically Art Deco home of Marlene Dietrich. Source