Wild Postcards

My trip is indian fast!

While this looks like a photochrome postcard, it is in fact an actual photograph printed on photographic paper. It is definitely an oddity. The drawing is artist signed by Ken Holmes of Pecos, Texas; Ken marked the drawing as ©1941. The other inscription, that of Howard Studio, also of Pecos, may be Ken’s artist studio or the studio at which the drawing was photographed.

The stampbox, pictured at right (and which has undergone some enhancement, as the ink on the back is very faint) shows the letters “EKC”, meaning it was manufactured under a process by the Eastman Kodak Company. Ron Playle says that this stampbox was used on cards made from 1930-1950, which confirms that the card was manufactured contemporary with the drawing.

This card is from Kay Anthony’s collection. She had at least one correspondent in Texas, who may have mailed it to her inside of an envelope. The card is stiffer than the typical photo of today, but still has a very faint crease — which may also indicate that it was manhandled in the mail.

Instead of a gusher -- fire!

“This well was being ’shot’ to increase oil production. Rocks thrown out hit steel. Sparks, explosion, and fire resulted. The photographer, set for a gusher view, snapped this remarkable picture!” — which, in turn, was hand-tinted by the Curt Teich folks. This is card number 4A-H296, manufactured in 1934.

I am reminded of the old joke about Red Adair:

A drunk walks into a Texas oil patch bar during the boom days. There’s a bunch of ‘roughnecks’ at the other end, drinking and laughing it up. “What’s goin’ on?” he asks the bartender.

“It’s Red Adair,” the bartender says, “the great oil field fire fighter. The boys are asking him questions.”

“Is that right? Well I gotta question.”

“Go ahead,” says the bartender, “he’s in a good mood.”

“Hey, Red, Red Adair!” the drunk yells.

“Yes?” says the big man.

“Were you sleeping with Ginger Rogers?”