Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Public Libraries pf New York
Cities A-B
New York has some fantastic libraries. The best of them all, New York Public Library, has its own page. Arrangement, unlike the other states, is somewhat geographic in that Long Island is separate.
Albany (Pruya Library)
Ordinarily, I wouldn't display a postcard with zero information, but this Flemish Revival building is ridiculously cool. Pruya Library, taken from the postcard caption, delivered me nothing on a cursory search.
Albany has had library service from 1833: all the libraries merged into a single city library in 1922. In 2002, it became a school district library (a New York curiosity).
The Souvenir Postcard was printed by Valentine & Sons in Great Britain, using heavy card stock.
Albion (Swan Library)
The Swan Library has new quarters, and this building is in a sort of limbo.
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The real photo postcard was correctly identified by its sender in 1906. Note the overhang of snow.
Alden (Ewell Free Library)
(L) Card bears only a plate number: may be of the Black and White brand.
(R) Modern chrome card.
Now part of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.
The building is in memoriam of the Ewell daughter, and was finished in 1913. The Library's history page calls its style Beaux Arts Classical Revival.
Angelica
Part of the Southern Tier Library System. The building shown is still in use.
Octochrome postcard. It was printed in Germany, at the behest of J.A. Howlett, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, and notions.
Angola
Replaced.
Now incorporated into the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.
Merrimac Picture Post Card, mailed in 1971.
Auburn (Case Memorial Library)
Now known as the Seymour Public Library District. Designed by Carrere & Hastings. Opened in 1903 and expanded in 1973 and 1993.
Published by C.S. (not F.W.) Woolworth and Co., with an entire back. Mailed in 1909.
Aurora (Library Hall)
This is the only combination building, housing both a library and the opera house, which retained the latter function to the present day. Its half timbered Tudor style is rare among library buildings. The Library has its own, more purpose-built, home.
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The lovely handcolored card was printed in Germany for Henry Morgan. It resembles some Rotograph postcards, and was mailed in 1907. The sender converted it herself to a divided back.
Batavia (Richmond Memorial Library)
Wow. Simply wow.
This is the first Romanesque library building I've seen that looks as if it had had librarians in on the design. Actually, John Lennon & Sons built it in 1887-9. It was expanded in 1937 and 1979, and it looks like little of this building remains visible.
This is a Valentine & Sons card, mailed in 1912.
Bath (Davenport Free Library)
Built in the 1830s as a residence: now houses a historical society.
Published for the Charles E. Buck Music House.
Belfast (Bartlett Memorial Library)
Still in use. Google Maps/Street View seems to wish to direct to a huge Beaux Arts building. I believe that the Library has a better sense of its location, however.
M.E. Bramlee postcard.
Belmont Literary Society & Free Library
Founded in 1885.
Built in 1904: Ward Hall has nothing to do with town government, but is Mrs. Hamilton Ward's eponymous building.
The Library's history page, linked above, claims that she obtained $1,000 in Carnegie monies, but I cannot verify this. The Library also doesn't seem to be assertive about this claim.
Published by B.B. & H.W. Slade: printed in Germany. Mailed in 1911.
Caption:
Ward Hall - Free Library and Club Room Belmont, N.Y.
Boonville (Erwin Library)
Built in 1890. Now known as the Erwin Library and Institute, part of the MidYork Library System
(L) Card mailed in 1907.
(R) 1957, Dexter Press. This is one of those library postcards that could be sent as a Christmas card.
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Brewster
If a library could have a mullet, it would be this one: single storey in front, two storeys in back. Now it looks like one of those storybook villages, as it has another addition or two off the back, and the main entrance of the neogeorgian building is 90° from the original.
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Eagle View Post View, Blue Sky brand.
Brockport (Seymour Library)
Another converted Italianate house: replaced.
Lusterchrome postcard.
Bronxville, Westchester County
Still in use, with an addition.
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The L.H. Frohman postcard was mailed in 1967.
Buffalo
1887-1963
Beautiful building. For the most part, it was featured on beautiful cards.
The city and Erie County system merged in 1953 due to economic reasons, although 1953 seems an odd year for an economic meltdown.
Cyrus Eidlitz Buffalo Public Library Building
With a 'Buffalo Means Business' logo.
S.H. Knox postcard.
H. Van Stone self-framed postcard, mailed in 1911.
Autos added to the plate, in a somewhat strange fad.
Monochrome postcard, printed in England
1947 Curt Teich card.
Dexter Press chrome postcard of the replacement library.
