The Ephemeral State
← All categories
Trinity Church New Haven CT Yale Harvard Boat Race Message Rotograph Postcard — photo 1 of 2

Photo 1 of 2

About this piece

Early postcard of Trinity Church, New Haven, Connecticut, carrying a first-hand message from Yale commencement week: "Have been taking in the Yale commencement doings this week with our friends the Campbells. Today go to Yale Harvard boat race at New London and home tomorrow. Have had a fine time and thought often of you. With love, Aunt Frank." Sepia-toned undivided back card by The Rotograph Co., N.Y. City, printed in Germany, number A 3147. Standard 3.5 x 5.5 in, posted from New Haven in July. Good antique condition with light corner and edge wear and light toning; the message is written in the front margin.

The Yale-Harvard Regatta on the Thames River at New London is America's oldest intercollegiate athletic contest, and a period message from someone heading to the race is a nice piece of Yale and rowing history.

Front caption: "A 3147 Trinity Church, New Haven, Conn." The view shows the Gothic stone church framed by tall elms on the Green, with benches and strollers in the foreground. Back: "Post Card" and "This side for the Address," Rotograph imprint and sunburst logo along the left edge, green 1 cent Franklin stamp, New Haven, Conn. machine cancel, July, 6 PM; the year digits are not fully legible. Addressed to Mr. Henry W. Paddock, Legal Dep't, Telephone Co., Indianapolis, Indiana.