[This engaging archive of Postcard publisher’s photo proofs vividly captures the impact and explosion of roadside businesses, automotive motor courts and motels, and tourist trap attractions from the end of the Roaring 20’s to the eve of World War II].

[Park Ridge, NJ & Pearl River, NY: Dexter Press, ca. 1929-1939]. 4to. [27 leaves (unnumbered).], 2-pocket mylar sleeves holding 55 silver gelatin photo postcard proofs, many w/ collaged text, and elements mounted on stiff board, some w/ extensive notes indicating addresses, photographers, and/or suppliers on versos, sized from 2.25 x 4 in. up to 4 x 6.5 in., w/ 1 pair of images showing the proof copy, alongside the finished printed standard sized photo postcard sized 3.5 x 5.5 in., w/ photographer’s info & publisher on verso, many w/ some colour-tinting, as well as ink editorial overpainting and airbrushes of clouds, or other elements to enhance the original photographs. Recent beige-coloured cloth 3-ring binder, excellent group of images. This small archive of photo postcard proofs impressively evoke the period of the vast expansion and development of the American highway system following World War I. With the number of miles doubling from 1920-1930, and then again from 1930 to 1940, Americans gook to the road to migrate, and vacation, while others located their roadside attraction tourist traps, filling stations, restaurants & diners, motor courts, and more within easy view of passing motorists. These original photographs encompass iconic locations across the United States from the Camp Moultrie famed Steakhouse in Blytheville, AR, to “Fun in the Sun Home-Made Candies” in Palm Springs, CA; or 101 Motel Auto Court featugin DeLuxe Hotel Apartments along Sepulveda Blvd. in El Segundo, CA on Highway 101 to Anderson Acres on the shore of Lake Erie in Huron, OH. Many of the images show the proliferation of petroleum filling stations, restaurants, and rest stops for weary travelers, including the “Trailer City” in Hot Springs, AR which sold Gulf Oil; “Shady Grove Cabins” selling Benzoline Gas and Coca-Cola on Route 6 near Farmington, CT; or even Shield’s Service Station at Main & Grand in McAlester, OK. Roadside attractions intended to entertain and draw in the highway expeditioners included the “World’s Smallest” violin made by Otto Ridlisbacher at “The Friendly Buckhorn” in Rice Lake, WI; fine textiles, weaving, pottery baskets, and wood novelties in the Roaring Fork Shop at Gatlinburg, TN; the Waverly, TN home of notorious badman Jesse James; the giant “Big Red Apple” in Cornelia, GA; the “Possum Kingdom” furrier & zoo attraction at Lake Graford, TX; or, even the Indian Spring in Upper Sandusky, OH where author Charles Dickens drank in 1843.Interiors and exteriors of cafeterias, hotels, fishing camps, theatre’s, creameries, log cabins, and even the service staff, such as at the Capitol Restaurant in Williamsburg, VA are depicted. Dexter (1899-1993) launched his Dexter Press in Park Ridge, NJ in 1920 following World War I where he also founded several newspapers simultaneously, but by 1938 had sold off the newspapers, and would focus on postcards, and colour souvenir postcards. Often referred to as “The Postcard King of America,” Dexter Press grew rapidly, secured the exclusive contract for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, and others.