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Many Early-Twentieth-Century Postcards Were Private

Private postcards (commissioned by traveling photographers) were popular during the early twentieth century. Wild Bill and Diamond Dick, two older teenagers who had been camping (and possibly deer hunting) in the Cranberry Lake area, in the northwest section the of Adirondacks, were captured on film by a roaming local photographer looking for customers who took his camera into the woods. The writer later mailed his personalized postcard from the Oswegatchie post office.Framed in a setting to resemble an open forest, the serious-minded, pistol toting, rifle leaning fellows strike an exaggerated image of hardened highwaymen -- or slightly besotted fun seekers. To my wife's uncle William wrote of his travels:

Dear Art, I hade my Pitcher Taken the other day. But it is not very good. So I will have then taken again and send all the Boys one. We are Wild Bill and Dimon dick, he is a Friend of mine. I Like it up here very much. I received your Letter. good By, Yours truly, W. Rapp

Rapp's short, descriptive text offers a mini run-through of his adventure in the North Woods. His correspondence bears witness to his trip (and possible jinks relished).

E-mail is growing in use each year. People find it to be a fast and easy alternative to the age-old friendly letter. In this 21st century age of rapid communication, demand for, and use of, postcards is intensifying. Why? Photo postcards provide an easier, interesting and picturesque, alternative to letter writing. They are inexpensive and low-priced to mail. Postcards are keepsakes. The scenes document a part of history and anyone can begin a collection at any time.

In the Adirondacks photo postcards are intended to appeal to a nostalgic time. The limited edition cards document particulars having to do with early American mountain life.

   Post marked October 26, 1910

"Mr. Frank, Send you card where I live. When you come this way first pull the latch snug."

"Pop" Frank Baker was an early Adirondack guide. In his later years, he served at caretaker at Camp Nit, a beautifully crafted log structure, built by pioneer settler Wellington Kenwell, on the shore of Beaver Lake for a Rochester, NY millionaire named Charles Chapin. Chapin, according to David Beetle's 1948 book Up Old Forge Way, was a "car-wheel tycoon." Kenwell was a founding father of Inlet, NY. Constructed from logs cut from the building site, Camp Nit, a small, comfortable and picture perfect log building enjoyed an isolated positioned in today's Moose River Plains Recreation area from about 1896 to the mid 1960s.

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