Historical Postcard Collection 1900-1960

Summary

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Overview

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Abstract

The Historical Postcard Collection documents the buildings and environs of the Princeton University campus in the form of picture postcards. Featuring both monochrome and color postcards, the bulk of the collection ranges in date from 1900 through the 1960s. Both unmarked and canceled postcards exist in the collection. Several postcard makers are represented in these materials.

Description

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Description

The Historical Postcard Collection contains both unmarked and canceled postcards which document the buildings and environs of the Princeton University campus. It includes both monochrome and color postcards. Several postcard booklets are housed at the end of the collection.

Collection Creator History

The use of privately printed postal cards in the United States was restricted until the turn of the century when Congress allowed private postcards to be mailed at the same rate as government cards. Several postcard companies are represented, including the Rotograph Company of Germany; the Illustrated Postal Card Company, New York; Christie Whiteman, Princeton; H.C. Leighton Co., Portland, ME; and the Van Marter Company, Germany, among others.

Collection History

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Acquisition

These postcards have been donated and collected over time. Information about provenance is available only when the researcher sees an AR# on the reverse side of the card.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Nanci A. Young in 1996.

Access and Use

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Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The Library has no information on the status of, and researchers are responsible for determining any question of copyright.

Preferred Citation

Historical Postcard Collection; circa 1900-1960, Princeton University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Find More

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Topics

• Princeton University

Subject Terms

• Buildings
• Buildings, structures, etc
• College buildings
• New Jersey
• Postcards
• Princeton
• Princeton (N.J.)

Genre Terms

• Picture postcards

Alternative Form Available

Digital images of Series 1-5 are available via the Princeton University Library Digital Collections website.

Contents and Arrangement

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Arrangement

The Historical Postcard Collection is organized in five series, with each series arranged alphabetically by building/location name:

Series 1: Buildings, circa 1900-1960

Series 2: Campus Ornamentation, undated

Series 3: Princeton Borough and Township, undated

Series 4: Honoraria, undated

Series 5: Postcard Booklets, undated

Series 6: Postcard Additions, circa 1900-1950