MID-ATLANTIC. Accordion Postcard Set Folder, Souvenir, c. 1930s.
Until the post World War II era, U.S. Route 6, or “The Grand Army of the Republic Highway,” running across northern Pennsylvania was known by an earlier title: “The Roosevelt Highway.” The 1920s saw an explosion of improved roadways fan networks across the U.S., as more and more Americans purchased mass-produced automobiles. Motorized tourism immediately followed, even the Great Depression doing little to dampen the spirit and probably expanding it given how relatively cheap it was to enjoy a day out on the road. What definitely expanded was boosterism designed to get folks onto the roads, with the most scenic pikes capturing the public’s attention. At almost 400 miles from Port Jervis, New York, in the east to Lake Erie in the west, the Roosevelt Highway was one such road. From the inside cover: “This [drive] crosses some of the most beautiful scenery in the East and to the tourist is a constant source of enjoyment.” A map accompanies the description and guides the viewer through this vibrant set of cards: crossing the Allegheny River at Warren, the enormous 301 foot high x 2250 foot long Kinzua railroad bridge, mountain scenes near Coudersport, and onto the final card of side two, a wonderful scene of the highway’s junction at Osterhout … Postcard accordion folders became ubiquitous in step with the popularity of motorized tourist travel. The first postcard folders trace to the early 20th-century. But it was in the mid-1930s when these fold-out mailers gained brilliant color. From that point through into the 1960s, and by way of far-flung post offices the nation over, a flood of these postcard folders found their way to friends and family from tourists taking in the diverse sites and attractions all across North America. The sharp commercial-art style illustration indicative of mid-century America, with covers printed on a tough linen paper, makes the souvenir sets of especially the late 1930s-1950s pop over half a century later—full-color photographs having arrived to these postcard folders by the 1960s … [Condition: The interior map still sports “Pennsylvania Route 7” as an official designation, providing proof that this folder set of postcards dates back, at least, to the mid-1930s (“U.S. 6” coming into use around that time). At near 90 years of age this set is in fine shape indeed, some chipping to the sides and wearing along the bottom edge of the cover opening up on still vibrant illustrations in near mint condition.]
Condition: Used Good. Local / Regional Areas. Dimensions: 6.25" wide x 4.25" high
