Coney Island Postcards

Historian Richard Snow best documented the history of the postcard at Coney Island.  In his book Coney Island: A Postcard Journey to the City of Fire Snow said that the government made it legal for commercially printed postcards to be mailed for 1 cent in 1898.  This caused a surge in their use and according to Snow "Americans bought 770,500,000 cards in 1906; in 1913 they mailed just under a billion."  This section not only shows the postcards, most of which are viewable in other areas of this site under different subjects.  It also includes the backs of the postcards, something often overlooked by historians and collectors alike.  These were written by visitors to Coney and say a lot, from descriptive paragraphs to "Wish you were here."  While often simple, the lingo and terminology of the time gives a small window into the days when Coney Island was, as George C. Tilyou said, "the world."
 

"Am having a lovely time.  Wish you were here too.  
Yours, Vira K."
August 6, 1909

 

"Dear Mr. & Mrs. Hamburger,
I'm having a nice time.  Went to Coney Island yesterday.  Took a sight seeing tour of the city.  Will be home Sunday night.  
See you Monday.  Pauline"
July 31, 1959

 

 

"Dear Jo:
This was a trashy place- I saw enough to last a long time.  The boat ride back to 123rd street took so long we couldn't go to the theatre.
See you soon, Kay"
August 22, 1948

 

"8/8- '07
This is the park that was burned.  Friday is the hottest we have seen this summer.
LE  LL"
August 9, 1907

 

"Hello Rachel-
Read your card.  Many thanks.  You said you saw Hazel, I wish I could have seen her to.  We are having very cool weather down here for this time of year.  Coney Island is a great place.  But I would rather be in the country on a sunday.  
C.J. Laffuty"
June 10, 1913

 

"Having a fine time.
Sister Amelia"
July 29, 1907

 

Some postcards had pre-written messages.  This one for the Rough Riders roller coaster read:
"Dear [Name left blank]
I was just on the "Rough Riders" 5 times.  If you ever go to Coney Island, don't forget to take a ride.  It is the best ride in the world.  
Wyman"
July 8, 1909

 

"Hello Everybody.
Having a lovely time here at Coney Island today - never saw so many people at one time.  Be home soon.
Best wishes, Ada & Mabel"
July 13, 1927

 

"Dear Mother,
We arrived safely.  Having a fine time.  Hope you enjoy your trip to reunion tomorrow, Chay and friends are here with us, and a cousin of Annie's.  Love to you from both of your children. 
F.S.& Lila"
September 4, Year Unknown

 

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