Post cards

The first post cards produced in the United States appeared in conjunction with the 1893 Chicago Exposition, and reached their golden age in the first three decades of the 1900s. In a process typical of the industry, black and white photographs were taken of a desired landscape and artists hand-painted color into the scene. The colored template would then be replicated through lithography, producing post cards in great quantities for the tourists that flocked to Florida. Early post cards share similarities to citrus labels, in that they both attempt to present the exotic pastoral scenes of Florida’s attractions to tourists and northerners.

Florida Greetings. Tampa, Fla.: University of South Florida, Tampa Library, ca. 1900-1950.

Orange Packing Plant. Tampa, Fla.: University of South Florida, Tampa Library, ca. 1900-1950.

Loading Oranges. Tampa, Fla.: University of South Florida, Tampa Library, ca. 1900-1950.

It's Always Orange Picking Time in Florida. Tampa, Fla.: University of South Florida, Tampa Library, ca. 1900-1950.