ABOUT THE POSTCARDS

Antiquarian Ted Comstock started collecting vintage Adirondack postcards in the 1980s because he loved the Adirondacks and thought these artifacts captured the history of the region. St. Lawrence University acquired Comstock’s collection in 2016, purchasing them directly from the collector.

The two postcards depict Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. The artist is unknown, but the company that printed them was called Standard Supply Company in Otter Creek, NY. This company published not only these two postcards but many others in Comstock’s collection. Both postcards show bright colors, which illustrate the beauty of the region. Vintage postcards such as these capture why the area was, and still is, important for tourism because of its natural beauty and charm.

The fact that we continue to treasure such postcards suggests that preserving the region’s natural heritage is important. The postcard to the right shows The Hedges, a resort on the lake’s shore. Many people came from cities to escape summer heat and to experience the outdoors, especially after the Great Depression when these postcards were created. After this time, individuals wanted a human connection to wilderness, and the Adirondacks was a great place for that as much of the region had been preserved. The region offered outdoors activities such as fishing, canoeing, hiking, and more. -Lauren Barrett

Text panel by Lauren Barrett

 

View of Blue Mountain Lake from “The Hedges” Road and “The Hedges,” Blue Mountain Lake, NY, Adirondack Mountains, c. 1940, linen postcards, printed by Standard Supply Co.,St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY, Ted Comstock Postcard Collection, mss. 198, box 1.

Otter Lake, NY, original artist unknown, Owen D. Young Library Special Collections,