Four amazing, historic Jumbo Post Cards of San Francisco in perfect condition and can be framed. They measure 5-1/2" x 7-1/2" - two horizontal and two vertical.
All cards show 3 cent postage (begun August 1, 1958) and are published by the National Color Press of San Francisco.
Descriptions on the back of the cards:
2 HORIZONTAL POST CARDS
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay, just opposite the entrance of the Golden Gate Bridge lies Alcatraz Island, known to Federal prisoners as "the Rock." This small island of picturesque outline guards the entrance of the harbor, and from plane has all the appearance of a huge dismantled warship, Its Spanish name, dating, back to 1775, perpetuates the pelicans, which once frequented it, and it is one of but three islands in this area still bearing the name originally given. The Island, twelve acres in extent, is 132 feet high, and viewed from the mainland, one mile away, Its rugged lines and steep shores suggest the Chateau d'lf to readers of Dumas. Here the one-time Military Prison has safely housed this country's most hardened Federal prisoners since 1934. Escape from ''The Rock' is virtually impossible, due to swift currents and treacherous undertow. Only two men have ever made a getaway and it is erroneously believed these were drowned in the attempt and their bodies carried out to sea. Here also stands a lighthouse which can be seen 19 miles at sea.
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
This view of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge clearly shows the size and nature of its construction, From San Francisco to Yerba Buena Island (foreground), there are two suspension bridges joined at the massive center anchorage. Then comes double-deck tunnel (not shown) through the island, and a great cantilever bridge to Oakland. From the sinking of the great caissons, that filled with concrete, form the pier bases to the spinning of the 28-inch cables and the laying of roadbeds over which motorists now pass from Oakland to San Francis in 10 minutes, the construction of this $73,000 bridge was a fascinating spectacle to millions of people. Finished, it is a wonder of the modern world and the view from its automobile deck is breathtaking.
2 VERTICAL POST CARDS
The Golden Gate Bridge, dreamed by San Franciscans for half a century before it was built, cost $35 million and is a massive and awe- inspiring structure. Each of its great cables, 36 inches in thickness, support a tension of 63,000,000 pounds and carry a great roadbed 220 feet above the water -- with a span of 4,200 feet. The bridge itself from shore to shore is 8,981 feet long and exclusively for motor and pedestrians. Its great towers rise 746 feet into the air and reach down 118 feet below the surface of the water. The ship passing under the bridge gives an idea of its size. The story of Joseph B. Strauss, the engineer who dreamed, and built the Golden Gate Bridge, is a romantic one. In his busy career he constructed nearly 500 bridges in every part o the world. This bridge was his last and greatest achievement, brought brought to fulfillment seventeen years after its inception. He died In May, 1938, worn out by his triumphant labors.
California Street Cable Car
This view, looking down California Street, shows one of the San Francisco's famous cable cars descending the steep grade near Chinatown. In the distance many be seen a portion of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Invented in San Francisco in 1870, the cable car has become one of the city's most cherished traditions. The cars, sturdy and dependable, travel at a speed of nine miles per hours.