History and Art of Vintage Santa Barbara Postcards

The History of Santa Barbara Postcards

Postcards depicting beautiful Santa Barbara have been popular collectibles and travel keepsakes for over a century. The first postcards featuring images of the American Riviera date back to the early 20th century. These vintage postcards capture Santa Barbara’s iconic architecture, beaches, landscapes, and street scenes.

The first postcards of Santa Barbara reflected the area’s Spanish colonial heritage. They showed views of historic adobes, red-tiled buildings, graceful archways, and palm tree-lined streets. Senders would write brief messages on the back to mail to faraway family and friends across the expanding U.S. postal network.

The Golden Age of Santa Barbara Postcards

The period from 1907-1915 is considered the “Golden Age” of postcard production in the U.S. Improvements in printing technology allowed publishers to mass produce high quality postcards showcasing Santa Barbara’s idyllic setting. Cards displayed vibrantly colored images of major attractions like Stearns Wharf, the Santa Barbara Mission, the beaches and bathhouses of East Beach, and the luxury hotels of lower State Street.

Postcards became hugely popular as an inexpensive and convenient way for Santa Barbara visitors to share glimpses of their trips. Meanwhile, locals sent postcards to announce events or update faraway recipients on developments in the growing city.

Postcards Capture History

These decades-old Santa Barbara postcards offer a valuable record of what the waterfront, downtown, and various neighborhoods looked like in the early 20th century. Historical property changes, infrastructure updates, and areas rebuilt after disasters have rendered some of these iconic sites nearly unrecognizable today.

For example, postcards showing an undeveloped waterfront without Stearns Wharf and State Street downtown before the 1925 earthquake provide rare and intriguing views. These serve as windows into Santa Barbara’s past for historians and provide colorful glimpses of the area’s history for collectors.

Santa Barbara Postcard Subjects & Styles

Santa Barbara postcards capture the city’s signature Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, idyllic coastal setting, palm-lined streets, and major attractions. Common early 20th century postcard subjects include:

• Santa Barbara Mission
• Beaches, bathhouses, & surfers
• Stearns Wharf & the harbor
• Historic hotels & homes
• Downtown street scenes
• Courthouse and other landmarks
• Bird’s eye views of the city

Styles and printing methods have evolved over the decades...

Vintage Postcards

Early Santa Barbara picture postcards were printed in Germany on thicker cardstock than modern postcards. Images appear hand-tinted or colorized in vibrant hues. Writing surfaces left room for personal messages sent to addresses across the country and worldwide.

Linen Postcards

Later mid-century postcards were printed on textured linen paper stock. Images have a trademark texture conveying a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Colorized linen postcards senders could write brief notes to loved ones back home.

Contemporary Postcards

Today’s Santa Barbara postcards allow travelers to customize their own photos on one side. The reverse leaves space for mailing addresses and stamping for delivery. Contemporary postcard captions appear in multiple languages to serve Santa Barbara’s many international visitors.

Santa Barbara Postcards as Art

Santa Barbara postcards transcended their role as souvenirs or communication tools to become collectible ephemera. Early 20th century Santa Barbara postcards are now viewed as artistic artifacts capturing unique moments in local history.

Many antique and vintage Santa Barbara postcards now reside in museum archives and private collections. Avid deltiologists (postcard collectors) value these as pieces of Santa Barbara’s heritage. The most prized images depict scenes that no longer exist.

Rare postcards sell for premium prices at auction among serious collectors. But even common early 20th century Santa Barbara postcards have grown more valuable due to nostalgia and scarcity. These miniature art pieces and historical artifacts recall the area’s bygone days as an emerging resort destination.

Artistic Details

Beyond documentary evidence, Santa Barbara postcards also reflected artistic sensibilities. Colorful hand-tinted collages, painterly images, playful designs, and skillful compositions all made these cards attractive collectibles in their own right...

Collecting & Displaying Santa Barbara Postcards

There are many options for collecting and displaying vintage Santa Barbara postcards today. Finding cards at antique shops and online auction sites has become progressively easier in recent years thanks to collecting popularity.

Collectors must exercise caution to verify authenticity and condition. One can focus a Santa Barbara postcard collection around different themes: architecture, beaches, transportation, major events, neighborhoods, or distinct time periods. Arranging cards chronologically illustrates the area’s development.

Once properly archived, Santa Barbara postcard collections make engaging displays. One may exhibit postcards in frames, albums, or even make scans for digital viewing. Sharing these postcard montages lets viewers take nostalgic trips back in time to Santa Barbara’s early days.

FAQs

When did picture postcards of Santa Barbara first appear?

Some of the earliest known picture postcards showing scenes of Santa Barbara were printed around 1907 during the “Golden Age” of postcards in the United States.

What types of images did early Santa Barbara postcards depict?

Common Santa Barbara postcard motifs included views of landmarks like the Mission, Stearns Wharf, and Bath Street. Images also captured opulent hotels, downtown street scenes, beaches, local culture, and neighborhoods.

Why are the older Santa Barbara postcards considered collectible artwork?

In addition to offering historical documentation, the early 20th century postcards displayed artistic sensibilities in printing techniques, hand-tinting, composition, and clever captions to appeal to purchasers.

Where can one find vintage Santa Barbara postcards today?

Collectors can seek out old Santa Barbara postcards at antique malls, online auction listings, estate sales, regional collectors’ fairs, and sometimes private dealers specializing in these ephemera.