The Postcard Age: Selections from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection

by Lynda Klich (Contributor), Benjamin Weiss (Text), Leonard Lauder (Preface)

A collection of turn-of-the century postcards from all over the this is the perfect gift for anyone interested in graphic design, decorative arts and vintage ephemera In the decades around 1900, postcards were Twitter, email, Flickr and Facebook, all wrapped into one. A postcard craze swept the world, and billions of cards were bought, mailed and pasted into albums. Many famous artists turned to the new medium, but one of the great pleasures and enigmas of postcards is how some of the most beautiful and interesting examples were made by artists whose names we barely know. Drawing on the riches of the Leonard A. Lauder Postcard Collection (probably the finest and most comprehensive collection of its type), this gorgeous book traces the historical and cultural themes--enthralling, exciting, and sometimes disturbing--of the modern age. The first general publication on the postcard as an artistic medium since the mid-1970s, The Postcard Age is organized thematically, with chapters devoted to urban life, the changing role of women, sports, celebrity, new technologies, the stylish collectors’ cards of Art Nouveau and World War I. The result is at once a vivid picture of the concerns and pastimes of the turn of the century and a sampler from the Lauder’s vast archives.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History

295 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Glen Farrelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I've encountered for showcasing the incredible artwork of the postcard medium (circa approx. 1900-1930). The reproductions of postcards from that era are beautiful and well worth picking up this book to just marvel at the quality of art.

The accompanying write-ups are 4-5 pages of commentary grouped around themes relevant to the day (e.g. war, women's rights, celebrities, health, technology, advertising). I've read a few books about postcards and few attempt to position postcards as such remarkable reflections of our larger visual culture. This book begins to do that and I would have liked more of this aspect and less extensive coverage of the general history of the era.

A lot of this book just discusses the history with too few connections to postcards. This book would have been much stronger if it assumed people knew these major historical milestones and instead focused much more on the postcards.

Nonetheless, the quality of the postcards showcased and the positioning them as artifacts of important moments in history is impressive.

[Ragne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imeline leid Bostoni Kaunite kunstide muuseumist. Kaasahaarav ja omapärane retk tutvumaks postkaartide tekkeloo ning arenguga kuni Esimese maailmasõjani. Rohkelt omapäraseid killukesi Euroopa ja Maailma ajaloost üldiselt. Lisaks muidugi rohkelt pildimaterjali.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding collection and commentary on the collection.

[Ceci · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS THE BOOK I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR MY WHOLE LIFE.

sometimes when I'm sad, I flip to my favorite beautiful high-quality reproduced images in here, and bask in the glow of postcard history. I wish I was being sarcastic. this book means an absurd amount to me, and I am okay with that.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative and beautifully done .

[Sei Lee]

love this book !

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Postcard Age is a selection of 30 vintage postcards from the 19th and 20th century designs.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

OL 741.683 Klich 12/2012 coffee table edition. Grandma Turner's postcard collection her 500 and grandpa's ..I collected in the 1980's children and teacher related..or things I just liked.