Atlantic City
Atlantic City was the most famous seaside resort in the country during the postcard era. Its boardwalk, piers, grand hotels such as the Marlborough-Blenheim and the Traymore, rolling chairs and beach crowds appear on more postcards than almost any other place in America. Because of that, most Atlantic City cards are very common. Unusual real photos, pier attractions, the Miss America pageant's early years and businesses on the boardwalk are more interesting.
The Jersey Shore
Beyond Atlantic City, the Shore had dozens of resort towns: Asbury Park and Ocean Grove, Long Branch, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Ocean City, Wildwood and Cape May, among others. Each had a boardwalk, beaches, hotels and amusements. Real photos of smaller Shore towns, early boardwalks, amusement rides and beach scenes are more collectible than common printed views.
Paterson and industry
Paterson was the Silk City, with dozens of silk mills powered by the Great Falls of the Passaic. The 1913 Paterson silk strike and the 1902 fire that destroyed much of downtown were photographed. Newark, Trenton, Camden, Elizabeth and Jersey City had factories, potteries, shipyards and refineries. Real photos of mills, factories and workers are collected by industrial historians.
Trolleys and railroads
New Jersey had a dense network of trolley lines and railroads, with commuters flowing into New York and Philadelphia. Depots, trolleys, ferries and bridges appear on cards popular with transportation collectors.
Farms and the Pine Barrens
The Garden State's farms, cranberry bogs and the Pine Barrens' small towns, glass works and charcoal makers appear on cards. Real photos of farm work and Pine Barrens life are scarcer than Shore views.
Lifesaving and shipwrecks
The New Jersey coast had many lifesaving stations, and shipwrecks were common along it. Real photos of lifesaving crews and wrecks are popular with maritime collectors.
Places and subjects to look for
- Atlantic City: unusual views, pier attractions and boardwalk businesses.
- The northern Shore: Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Long Branch and Point Pleasant.
- The southern Shore: Ocean City, Wildwood and Cape May.
- Industrial cities: Paterson, Newark, Trenton and Camden.
- The Pine Barrens: small towns, glass works and cranberry bogs.
- Small towns: main streets, depots and village centers across the state.
- Lakes and mountains: Lake Hopatcong and the northwest hills.
Lake Hopatcong and the hills
Lake Hopatcong, the largest lake in the state, had hotels, steamers and amusement parks, and the northwest's hills had summer resorts. Early real photos of these places are collected.
Real photos versus printed views
Atlantic City and the major Shore towns were printed in staggering numbers. Real photos of small towns, factories, the Pine Barrens and less-visited Shore towns carry most of the value in a New Jersey collection.
What is common
Printed Atlantic City boardwalk, hotel and beach views and later chrome Shore cards are very common.
Why New Jersey collections need a careful look
A New Jersey collection often contains hundreds of Atlantic City cards, and it is tempting to assume the rest is equally common. In practice, the same collections frequently include real photos of small towns, factories or forgotten trolley lines that are far less common. That is why I ask sellers to describe the whole collection, not just the Atlantic City cards on top.
Disasters and events
Besides the Paterson fire, New Jersey real photographers recorded the 1900 Hoboken pier fire, floods on the Passaic, storms on the Shore, train wrecks, parades and county fairs. The Hindenburg disaster at Lakehurst in 1937 was also photographed. Event real photos from identified towns are prized.
Questions about New Jersey postcards
Are Atlantic City postcards valuable? Most are very common; unusual real photos and boardwalk businesses are more interesting.
Are Paterson silk mill postcards collectible? Yes, especially real photos of mills, workers and the 1913 strike.
Are Jersey Shore postcards worth anything? Real photos of smaller Shore towns and early amusements are more collectible than common printed views.
Do you buy New Jersey collections? Yes, complete collections from anywhere in the state, by mail.