Linen Postcards

"Old South Manor Motor Court & Restaurant on U.S. 17, 4½ mi. S., Savannah, Ga." Signs: "Old South Manor Hotel Tourist Court. Restaurant. AAA." Inset: "Reading lounge and lobby." Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "Old South Manor Motor Court and Restaurant on U.S. 17, 4½ mi. S., Savannah, Ga. Very attractive court on beautiful landscaped grounds. 40 unusually inviting accommodations beautifully furnished....Attractive reading lounge with television for our guests....Well known for a variety of good food, served in atmosphere of southern courtesy at moderate prices."

"Stiles Motel Statesboro, on Routes 301 and 25, 453 S. Main St., Statesboro, Ga." Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "Stop in comfort at Stiles Motel Statesboro, 453 S. Main Street, Statesboro, Ga. (Next to Mrs. Bryant's (AAA) Restaurant). On U.S. 301 and 25. Shortest routes to Florida. Enjoy this delightful motel with its exceptionally pleasing color harmony and comfort; its spacious fireproof accommodations with terrazzo floors, beauty-rest mattresses, tile baths, radiant electric heat, and optional air conditioning. Room TV or radio."

"Wigwam Village No. 4, Orlando, Florida. On the Orange Blossom Trail. U.S. No. 441 and U.S. No. 17; U.S. No. 92. AAA." Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "The Wigwam Village. Orlando's 'largest and finest motel!' Located inside city limits only a few blocks from theatre and shopping district. Thirty-one modern teepees with accommodations for parties of 1, 2, 3, or 4 people. Modern grille, gift shop, and auto service on the grounds." Wikipedia reports that Wigwam Village No. 4 was built in 1948 and razed in 1974. A Vacation Lodge motel now occupies the site where teepees once stood. For views of a Wigwam Village located in Cave City, Kentucky, see Teepees and Trading Post at Wigwam Village Motel No. 2 and Braves Restroom at Wigwam Village Motel No. 2 :

"For the 'rest' of your life. Chestnut Circle C Lodge, Arnett, Oklahoma, east of city on U.S. 60 and 283. The Best Western Motels. B.W.M." Sign: "Circle C Lodge. Vacancy. Panel Ray Heat. Westwood Furniture. Foam Rubber Mattress. Air Conditioned. AAA. Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "Chestnut Circle C Lodge, on U.S. 60 and 283, Arnett, Oklahoma. Café nearby, 16 units, tile baths, carpeted floors, panel ray vented hear, GE refrigeration, mahogany interior finish. Westwood furniture, foam rubber mattresses, garages, GE electric blankets. T.V. and radio in rooms.

Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "The American Miniature Golf Course. Located 11 miles east of Lancaster, Pa., in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch section. 24 long, tricky holes. Open every day and night. Hot and cold refreshments, fountain service. Phone 63718. Leola, Pa."

"Joe DiMaggio's Restaurant, Fishermen's Wharf, San Francisco, California. Famous thruout the world. Vincent DiMaggio. Dominic DiMaggio. Telephone: Ordway 2266 - 205-11 Jefferson St. Cocktails." Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "Joe DiMaggio's Restaurant. Your visit to San Francisco would not be complete without dining and dancing at Joe DiMaggio's restaurant, overlooking the world-famous Fishermen's Wharf, with its picturesque Italian fishermen and their gaily painted fishing craft in full view." Handwritten note on the back: "1940."

"Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant. The Meeting Place of the World." Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "Come in and say Hello! Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant on Broadway bet. 49th & 50th Sts., New York City." Postmarked: Philadelphia, Pa., March 27, 1944. Handwritten message on the back: "Having a swell time, am half drunk. Love, Francis."

"T-26 Mr. Ground Hog, the Original Weather Prophet." After digging out following a record-breaking thirty-some inches of snow last weekend , I'm hoping that the groundhog won't see his shadow on Groundhog Day . In this amusingly garish linen postcard, Mr. Ground Hog seems to be baring his teeth at the notion of being pulled from his den to display his skills at prognostication. For some other items featuring the weather-wise woodchuck, see my Groundhog Day album.

"The Guernsey Cow. Farm made ice cream. World's Largest Cow. Located on Lincoln Highway, U.S. 30, at Exton, Pa." Printed on the other side: "Meet you at the Guernsey Cow, Exton, Pa. Serving tasty luncheons. Internationally famous for our cream caramels, ice cream, and Golden Guernsey milk. Landmarked by the World's Largest Cow. Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna." For more information, see Sean McGlinchey's site about The Guernsey Cow, Exton, Pennsylvania and his album about The Guernsey Cow on Flickr.

"King of Rex, receiving the key of the city at City Hall." Postcards showing floats with Rex , the "King of Carnival," and a dragon (see above and below) during Mardi Gras parades held on Shrove Tuesday in New Orleans.

"Friendly Tavern, Route 11-15, north of Harrisburg, Pa." The Friendly Tavern was located in Perry County , Pennsylvania, along a stretch of highway where U.S. Route 11 combines with U.S. Route 15 . The building that housed the taven is now part of an establishment called TJ's (see the Google Maps Street View from 2015).

"Lincoln Speech Memorial, Gettysburg, Pa. Lincoln's Address--Delivered at Gettysburg, Pa., November, 19, 1863." As Wikipedia explains, "The Gettysburg Address is a speech by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, one of the best-known in American history. It was delivered by Lincoln during the American Civil War, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg." Stamped on the back of this oversized linen-finish souvenir card: "Published by Blocher's, Gettysburg, Pa."

"New Port Authority Bus Terminal, 41st Street & Eighth Avenue, Longacre 4-8484, one block from Times Square." Printed on the back of this postard: "Largest in the world, the $24,000,000 Port Authority Bus Terminal to open December 15, 1950, was built by the Port of New York Authority, the self-supporting joint agency of the states of New Jersey and New York, to relieve street traffic congestion in Manhattan and to provide a comfortable central station for 130,000 bus commuters and many thousand long distance bus travelers who daily enter and leave New York. The Port of New York Authority, 111 Eighth Avenue. N.Y. 11, N.Y." Message and name--both printed rather than handwritten--on back: "I thought you would be interested in receiving the above facts about the Port Authority Bus Terminal. With best wishes, cordially, Howard S. Cullman." See also Steve Shook's image of this postcard on Flickr, which has a linen finish that's missing on my copy: New Port Authority Bus Terminal, 1950 - Linen Postcard .

Sign: "This Is It! Restaurant. Cabins. Heated. Steaks, chops, chicken." Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "This Is It! The Place to Dine. Our every desire is to please you--not only with food and service, but with our surroundings as well! If you like logs--knotty pine--a huge fireplace, and a cheery atmosphere THIS IS IT! Restaurant, service station, log cottages. Located 6 miles east of Harrisburg on Rt. 22. Telephone 56368. Mellinger Studios."

"Souvenir of Ed Shudy's Rainbow Park, Drumore, Pa. Ernest Tubb on stage. Roy Acuff on stage. View of park & stage. View of parking lot & park." Printed on the back of this linen postcard: "Complete line of amusement and entertainment by nation's popular string and hillbilly bands. Concessions and novelties. Favorite fisherman's stop on the way to [the Chesapeake] Bay. Complete line of fishing tackle. Owned and operated by Ed Shudy. Address: Drumore, Pennsylvania, Lancaster County. Mellinger Studios, Lancaster, Penna."

"Me worry? No--I buy my tires, etc., from Lloyd Wingenroth, East Main Street, Ephrata, Penna. Phone: 3-8601." A pre- Mad Magazine image of Alfred E. Neuman used on a linen advertising postcard. See also John FitzGerald's copy of this Me Worry? postcard.

A postcard view of the miniature railroad and playground at Pen Mar Park , circa 1937.

A linen postcard with colorful cars parked in front of Bethlehem Union Station , a railroad station in Bethlehem , Pennsylvania.