The Postcard Craze of 1906

In 1906, the U.S. was in the middle of a postcard craze. Photography and printing had improved to the point that images could now be mass produced. In 1898, after the post office authorized the use of postcards, their popularity grew with pictures of everything imaginable, from churches and schools to downtowns, bridges, and canals being printed on the cards. A 1906 ad from “The Somerset Messenger” read

THE POSTCARD FAD IS AT ITS HEIGHT We have a splendid line of many interesting views in this vicinity. One hundred new ones, including Raritan, Duke’s Park, Chimney Rock, and Somerville. 3 for 5 cents. Look them over—PARRY’S

Since so many of these postcards were printed, many survive to this day, giving us a view of the scenery of the times.
Some of the Raritan postcards can be seen in a book called “Images of America—Raritan”
by Jo-Ann Liptak and M. Frieda Helmstetter.