Stunning Real Photo Postcards Captured Street Scenes at Night in the 1960s

Hamilton St., Regina Saskatchewan

Production of postcards blossomed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As an easy and quick way for individuals to communicate, they became extremely popular.

A real photo postcard (RPPC) is a continuous-tone photographic image printed on postcard stock. The term recognizes a distinction between the real photo process and the lithographic or offset printing processes employed in the manufacture of most postcard images.

h/t: vintag.es

Fairbanks, Alaska

Real photo postcards may or may not have a white border, or a divided back, or other features of postcards, depending on the paper the photographer used.

Central Ave., Albaquerque NM

The last and current postcard era, which began about 1939, is the “chrome” era, a shortened version of Photochrom. However these types of cards did not begin to dominate until about 1950 (partially due to war shortages during WWII).

Variety Park, Hereford TX

The images on these cards are generally based on colored photographs, and are readily identified by the glossy appearance given by the paper’s coating. These still photographs made the invisible visible, the unnoticed noticed, the complex simple and the simple complex. The power of the still photograph forms symbolic structures and make the image a reality.

Dundas St., London ON

Guerrero Ave., Nuevo Laredo, Mexico

North Virginia St., Reno NV

Granby St., Norfolk, VA

Times Square, NY

State St., Chicago IL

Looking North from Robson St., Vancouver BC

Chinatown at Night, Chicago IL

Barnard Ave., Vernon BC

Main St., Moncton NB

Market St., San Francisco CA

Main St., Buffalo NY

Rush St., Chicago IL

Sunset & Vine, Hollywood CA

West State St., Rockford IL

Yonge St., Toronto ON

Broadway, Portland OR

William Street, Sydney

Rue Principale, Chibougamau, Quebec

State Street, Chicago, Illinois

Night Scene, Missoula, Montana

St. Catherine St., Montreal QC

Chinatown at Night, Vancouver BC

East Second St., The Dalles, Oregon

Main St., Welland, Ontario

Minnesota Ave, Kansas City

Main St., Estevan, Saskatchewan

Night Scene, Moscow, Idaho

Spokane, Washington

St. Catherine St., Montreal QC

Summit St., Toledo OH

San Antonio St., El Paso, Texas

Main St., Quesnel, BC

Granville St., Vancouver BC

King Street, Chatham, Ontario

Klamath Falls, Oregon