SAMPLE POSTCARDS
The following are examples of some kinds of postcards found in the collection. Each image is linked to the relevant inventory page.
01a09 [item one] Number
9 in a series featuring multiple colored sketches.
Left,
Chestnut Street above Third Street; right, Arch Street west of 13th
Street.
04b08 [item four] Brightbill
collected several series (these series, put out by various publishers, are
not to be confused with the four series into which Brightbill organized
his collection) of architectural postcards; this is from Series 4, Philadelphia
Suburban.
Interior detail of a pergola in a suburban garden.
04b11 [item two] This is
from Series 5, Old Colonial, of the architectural postcards.
'Old
Colonial' postcards were divided into subsets; one of four views of the
Powell House, 244 South Third Street, built in 1762, this postcard is of
the entrance hall.
05b01 [item four] Brightbill
devoted multiple subject headings to the Betsy Ross House, organized by
the number and size of flags depicted on the house. This is from 'Betsy
Ross House -- No Flags.
Although there are two flags inset
on the image, there are none on the house itself. Note the trees in the
background -- The Betsy Ross House is part of a row os such houses. Various
postcards treat the surroundings in a variety of ways.
11a01 [item three] There
are also several subject headings devoted to various bridges. Subject 11
deals with Bridges - Delaware River (Franklin).
A modern
postcard looking toward the Philadelphia anchorage at sunset.
12b01 [item two] One of
many postcards depicting the Girard Avenue Bridge from Fairmount Park.
The handwritten note reads simply, "Meet me at Broad Street."
15a03 [item two] Walnut
Lane Bridge over the Wissahickon Creek.
The caption states
that, at the time of this postcard, this was the 'longest concrete span
in the world.'
16b04 [item one] One of
a number of views of North Broad Street.
This is a bird's
eye view of Broad Street in North Philadelphia.
Sample Images |