Today another jaunt into ephemera. You know those vintage postcards with the big tacky letters spelling out a place name, each filled with pictures? I have to admit, growing up I thought those were just made-up, simply kitschy takes on past trends. I still find it amusing that they're absolutely not. They were a big thing for a long time--every random, tiny little American town had one. Like much of the popular art summarily dismissed as kitsch, their tackiness to modern eyes and adherence to format conceals a variety of individual takes and creative flair.
Also, they're just fun.
Postcards from the mid-20th C, drawn from the endlessly rewarding postcard collection of the Boston Public Library.
Boston Public Library |
Ashbury Park, N. J. Source
Boston Public Library |
Galveston, Texas. Source
Boston Public Library |
Spokane, Washington. Source