The Senoia Area Historical Society announces the opening of “Postmarked:” a collection of 19 vintage postcards that have been mailed to or from Senoia.
The cards contain handwritten messages and postal cancellations with dates starting from 1892. Most cards date from the early 1900s, some are vintage Valentines, and some showcase homes and churches in Senoia.
There’s one of the Prescription Department of Hollberg’s Pharmacy from 1912, one of the A.B.&A Depot sent to Miss Clevie Stewart in 1910, and two from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair sent to the Sullivans of Senoia.
The Methodist Church is portrayed on two cards, while the rarest card may well be the Presbyterian Church which was located on Pylant Street and is now a private residence.
The most recent postcard was sent in 1982 to Bill and Nancy Roy announcing the opening of the Cricket House on Seavy Street.
The nostalgic images found on the cards pay tribute to the charm of Senoia. Both handwritten and typed messages that can be seen on the back of the cards offer a glimpse into everyday life and give a personal touch to these already unique historical artifacts.
All postcards are encased in acrylic frames which can be picked up and easily viewed on both sides.
For over a century, standard size for a postcard was 5 1/2 x 3 1/2.
The first postcards were issued by the Post Office. Private manufacturers of postcards quickly experimented with size—teeny ones, fold-outs, and double-wide panoramas for example.
But throughout the golden age of postcards (Pioneer Era through Chrome Era) the vast majority of cards were the standard 5 1/2 x 3 1/2.
In the last two or three decades, it seems everything in America has been supersized, from French fries to laundry detergents. Postcards are no exception. Standard size was increased from 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 to 4×6. Collectors call these cards Continentals.
The latest development in the never-ending battle to catch the public’s eye and open their wallets are Super-Continentals at 7×4.5 and up. These are too big to mail at postcard rate.
Few of these mega-size cards are actually mailed and seem to be marketed as souvenirs or mini-posters to take home and put on a mirror or refrigerator.
The cards are on display in the Meeting Room of the museum. The museum is located a short walk from downtown at 6 Couch Street and is open every Friday and Saturday from 1p.m to 4 p.m.
If you would like to donate your Senoia vintage postcards to the Senoia Area Historical Society, please contact Maureen Schuyler at maureenschuyler@yahoo.com or stop by the museum any Friday or Saturday between 1 p.m to 4 p.m.
