About this Item
245 postcards (142 color, 103 b/w), including 25 duplicates. ~3-1/2" x 5-1/2" A large collection of used and unused postcards from the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exhibition in Portland, Oregon, held June 1 - October 14, 1905. The archive includes color and b/w photographic and lithographic images of the fair's exhibits and the surrounding scenery, as well as humorous illustrations and eight combination portraits in which a fairgoer's head has been photographed and printed on a cartoon body. Several of the color postcards have been neatly embellished with glitter. Partial series contained within the collection include three half-tone b/w reproductions of Lee Moorhouse photographs of Native American chiefs; six cards illustrated by Murray Wade, signed in the plate; five monotone cards from "Colfax Week" (three of which are the same image but in different colors); three b/w cards for the "Great Baltimore Fire on the Trail"; 12 color and b/w cards advertising a specific product, a product's association with an exhibit, or simply promoting an area business (designated via printed information or stamp); a color image of the Forestry Building cropped and affixed to a hand-soldered wooden backing with an address block to the verso; and of course the many numbered images particular to each exhibit; in several cases, the same image seems to have been used by two different publishers. Publishers include B. B. Rich, Official Stationer, Lewis and Clark Official Photograph Company, E. P. Charlton & Co., Lewis and Clark Exposition Co., D. M. Averill and Co., and J. K. Gill Co., all of Portland, OR; Edward H. Mitchell, Pub., and Britton & Rey, Lithographers, of San Francisco; Frank S. Thayer, Pub., Denver; A. Selige, Pub., St. Louis; Tom Jones, Pub., Cincinnati; and others. In most cases, duplicates here are markedly different from their counterparts, e. g., decorated with glitter, sent from two different people, etc. Light general wear; occasional minor soiling; mix of used and unused cards. Many used cards posted and stamped 1905; some cards have writing to both sides. Many with old prices penciled thereon. Overall, VG condition [or better]. Most white or buff cardstock illustrated to recto, with printed address block to verso. Seller Inventory # 43816
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