New American printing processes allowed printing on
postcards with a high rag content. This was a marked improvement over the
"White Border" postcard. The
rag content also gave these postcards a textured "feel". They were also cheaper to produce and
allowed the use of bright dyes for image coloring. They proved to be extremely popular with
roadside establishments seeking cheap advertising. Linen postcards document every step along
the way of the building of America's highway infra-structure. Most notable among the early linen
publishers was the firm of Curt Teich. The majority of linen postcard production
ended around 1939 with the advent of the color "chrome" postcard. However, a few linen firms (mainly
southern) published until well into the late 50s. Real photo publishers of black & white
images continued to have success. Faster
reproducing equipment and lowering costs led to an explosion of real photo mass
produced postcards. Once again a war
interfered with the postcard industry (WWII). During the war, shortages and a need for
military personnel forced many postcard companies to reprint older views WHEN
printing material was available.
This web site
is owned and maintained by James M. Luty. Please email any questions or comments to Jim@WaynesboroPaPostcards.com.