Postcards provide rich historical documents. At their height around 1900, postcards served as “social archives”, blurring distinctions between producer and consumer; creating global and local networks; and transfiguring photographs into cultures of circulation.

Curt Teich Company postcards at The Newberry display innovative forms of media that recognize that meaning and use depend on more than its creators alone.

1. New York City

Early 1900s postcard production surged exponentially. One scholar estimates that approximately six billion postcards were produced worldwide at its height – which compares favorably to contemporary book sales (Gillen and Hall 2009, 111). This collection presents several postcards which offer glimpses into New York City urban landscapes from late 19th and early 20th century postcard production.

These cards highlight the architectural marvels, cultural vibrancy, and historical allure of this great city. Furthermore, postcards were an effective tool in cultivating both annotation and reimagination of visual images in mass production and widespread dissemination environments.

This collection’s digital postcards include oil paintings, tinted photographs, line photoengravings, relief prints and inkless photographs – reflecting their wide availability during postcard fad’s peak era: almost any kind of image could be printed onto cards – from Broadway musical lithographs to depictions of African American newlyweds; each postcard offers an interesting glimpse into an era of global exploration that reflected on society and politics of its time.

2. Paris

Paris, France, is an epicenter for culture and fashion. Its streets are lined with cafes, while its historic architecture can be seen in postcards featuring iconic buildings such as Eiffel Tower, 12th-century Notre Dame cathedral, canal views, Louvre museum, Orsay museum etc.

Postcards were a powerful social archive around 1900. Their widespread usage made a dramatic contribution to understanding relationships between producers and consumers; carving global networks out of local ones; connecting dispersed families, friends, industries; reworking photographs through time; as well as providing powerful evidence against injustice.

Postcards were so prevalent at the turn of the 20th century that almost any trend, fashion or social concern could find expression through them. For instance, many postcards that highlighted physical fitness as part of cultivating a healthy and patriotic lifestyle were popularly reproduced; others depicted “native” sports such as hunting or wrestling to reinforce European master-servant hierarchies or worries over domestic insubordination were shown off by these cards too – along with art nouveau styles and printing techniques popular at that time, which showed just how versatile these cards could be in communicating a range of political and social concerns.

3. London

London stands as an iconic global city at the mouth of the River Thames, boasting both history and modernity in one bustling hub. From Buckingham Palace’s royal splendor to avant-garde architecture like The Shard, each iconic landmark adds to London’s diverse identity and adds another layer to this global city.

Postcards are traveling objects with shifting ownership and display conditions, accruing and losing value depending on ownership changes, display environments and curation within various discursive contexts. As historical artefacts, postcards provide insight into shifting values and beliefs that shaped early twentieth-century global culture; hence making them an invaluable tool for exploring connections among places, people and practices during an era of industrialization, urbanization, immigration and shifting perspectives on culture, class and women’s rights.

London is famed for its world-renowned theatre scene, particularly the West End with its long-running productions of both classic and contemporary plays. Other top attractions in the city include Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, Westminster Abbey which hosts royal coronations ceremonies, as well as its rich architectural legacy which includes Christopher Wren-designed churches from 17th-century and Neoclassical financial institutions.

4. Venice

Venice offers a striking example of postcards’ power to transcend divisions between producer and consumer, create global and local networks, link families, friends, and industries dispersed throughout space, facilitate annotation and reconfiguration as well as facilitate annotation/reconfiguration processes.

Postcards capture an exhilarating era in Europe and America when industrialization, urbanization and immigration disrupted social conventions regarding culture, class and women’s rights. Postcard industry flourished during this time, featuring ocean liners and airships to attract explorers to faraway places.

Venice is renowned for its iconic Venetian palazzi and maze-like streets that charm visitors from around the world. Built upon 117 islands in a lagoon, its unique geography helps preserve its artistic patrimony while its canals, bridges, narrow alleyways, and private gardens all add charm and give this UNESCO World Heritage Site its sense of discovery that drew people here to live their dreams of paradise.

5. Budapest

Hungarian capital Budapest seamlessly blends old with new, offering visitors a vibrant tapestry of experiences. Architectural enthusiasts will revel in Gothic- and Renaissance-style grandeur found in extravagant palaces, landmarks such as Matthias Church or Fisherman’s Bastion – and beyond!

As shoppers from communist Europe flocked from all across to Budapest’s streets to check out Nikes and Reeboks before any of these Western goods could become available behind the Iron Curtain, young twentysomethings indulge in one-of-a-kind boutiques and dance all night at lively clubs playing Romany rap and cool jazz music.

Szentendre offers an immersive look into Budapest’s Jewish heritage on a day trip; here, handmade items, historic synagogues, and kosher restaurants await visitors. Also visit Memento Park – an open-air museum of Stalin and Lenin statues built by an entrepreneur – or cocktail bars or rooftop bars with spectacular views for an exciting evening out in Budapest’s lively nightspots; Memento Park should not be missed either! Plus there is always the captivating ruin bars-abandoned buildings filled with mismatched decor-a must-visit stop.