Northside Postcard Collection
Scope and Contents
The Northside Postcard Collection consists of about 200 color and black-and-white postcards of scenes from Chicago’s North Side dated between circa 1906 and circa 1963. Areas of focus include scenes of popular destinations for tourism and recreation on the North Side, such as the lakefront, hotels, monuments, and attractions at Lincoln Park. The varying scenes offer insight into the uses of postcards, from the advertisement of local businesses and entertainment to the appreciation of achievements in urban architecture and beautification. While many of the postcards are blank on the back side, a good number of them have personal correspondence, addresses, stamps, and post marks that might also provide researchers with additional information about communication, culture, and travel in Chicago in the early to mid-20th century.
Dates
- 1906-circa 1963, undated
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Biographical / Historical
According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago, "among the first picture postcards in the United States were those printed in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago." Postcards became increasingly popular in the twentieth century, both in Chicago and nationwide. In this collection, the varying scenes offer insight into the uses of postcards, from the advertisement of local businesses and entertainment to the appreciation of achievements in urban architecture and beautification.
Source: Hamilton-Smith, Katherine, "Postcards," Encyclopedia of Chicago, http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1000.html.
Extent
.5 Linear Feet (in 1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Northside Postcard Collection consists of about 200 color and black-and-white postcards of scenes from Chicago’s North Side dated between circa 1906 and circa 1963. Areas of focus include scenes of popular destinations for tourism and recreation on the North Side, such as the lakefront, hotels, monuments, and attractions at Lincoln Park.
Arrangement
The postcards are divided into 21 sections based on their subject. Within each section, postcards are arranged alphabetically by the title printed on the post card or by what they depict, and then chronologically by date. The postcard dates are taken chiefly from the post mark. When possible, the date is taken from the print date of the postcard or the handwritten date. Duplicate and similar postcards have been grouped together. Postcards with writing on the back are identified when applicable.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The original portion of the materials found in collection; no documentation concerning the provenance of these materials exists. Additional postcards donated by the Ravenswood-Lake View Historical Association.
- Humboldt Park (Chicago, Ill.)
- Lincoln Park (Chicago, Ill.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Postcards -- Illinois -- Chicago Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Source
- Ravenswood-Lake View Historical Association (Donor, Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Northside Postcard Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Nadiri Saunders, supervised by Allyson Smally.
- Date
- December 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2023: Postcards added to collection and guide updated in September 2023.
Repository Details
Part of the Northside Neighborhood History Collection Repository
Sulzer Regional Library
Chicago Public Library
4455 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago IL 60625 United States
(312) 742-4455
northsidehistory@chipublib.org