Postcards from the Fire Island Pines
For many a visit to Fire Island resulted in a postcard sent with an image showing the events or beauty of the Island.
In the United States, the custom of sending through the mail, at letter rate, a picture or blank card stock that held a message, began with a card postmarked in December 1848 containing printed advertising. The first commercially produced card was created in 1861 by John P. Charlton of Philadelphia, who patented a private postal card, and sold the rights to Hymen Lipman, whose postcards, complete with a decorated border, were marketed as "Lipman's Postal Card". These cards had no images. Cards showing images increased in number during the 1880s. Images of the newly built Eiffel Tower in 1889 and 1890 gave impetus to the postcard, leading to the so-called "golden age" of the picture postcard.
The Chicago World's Fair in 1893
excited many attendees with its line of "Official Souvenir" postals, which popularized the idea of picture postcards. The stage was now set for private postcard industry to boom, which it did once the United States government changed the postage rate for private cards from two cents to one in May 1898.
Finally, the modern era of Photochrom (often shortened simply to "chrome") postcards began in 1939, and gained momentum around 1950. These glossy, colorful postcards are what we most commonly encounter today. Postcard sales dropped to around 25% of 1990s levels, with the growing popularity of social media around 2007.
1906. Even before the Pines community was established greetings from Lone Hill as it was known were sent.
1953. Advertising the new Fire Island Pines community through postcards on the mainland helped in marketing.
1950’s. The Home Guardian Company of New York was eager to sell the new Pines community. So why not a postcard ?
1957. Peggy Fears Yacht Club was the it spot in the Pines to see and be seen, and send a postcard…
1959. After a devastating fire the club is rebuilt in record time and captured on a postcard.
1960’s. The new fireproof Botel was up and running as the Pines community was growing fast.
Late 1960’s. The Pines was in full resort mode with a full harbor and new CO OP living available.
1977. The golden age of the Pines is pretty as a postcard here captured by Seth Kahn.
House Parties are a tradition on Fire Island especially at historic homes like the TV House seen here. Photo by Artist Ferron Bell and sold at Melbamar.
1981. The Tea Dance in the Pines was the place to see and be seen all over Fire Island. Photo by Artist Ferron Bell and sold at Melbamar.
1978. The party scene is captured in Postcard form…
1978. The beauty of the Pines Harbor was picture perfect for a postcard.
1978. Across the bay in Bayport the Girl Scouts from Camp Edey found their way to the Pines.
1981. Wish you were here as you arrive on the Fire Island Clipper.
1980’s. The Art of John Laub captured life in the Pines…
1993. The 90’s arrives on the Invasion as the art of photography is in everyones hands.
1990’s. The Harbor becomes Art, then a Postcard. Artwork by Richard Peter Matson.
1990’s. Longtime Pines resident Milton Lubich became the photographer of the 1990’s where his Art became postcards.
2001. A new decade brings a new artist Robert de Michiel bringing his whimsy to the Pines.
With advent of Social Media, the Internet, and the cost of postage, the Postcard has become extinct.
