Vintage 1941 real photo postcard (RPPC) showing the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Massachusetts.
The photograph provides an excellent early view of the famous outdoor amphitheater, with the distinctive Art Deco shell dominating the image and the broad Esplanade lawn in the foreground.
This is an especially interesting early image because the permanent Hatch Memorial Shell was essentially brand new when this postcard was mailed. The present shell was designed by architect Richard J. Shaw and dedicated in 1940, following earlier temporary and permanent concert shells on the Esplanade. It was funded through a trust established by Maria Hatch as a memorial to her brother Edward A. Hatch.
The Boston Pops' connection to outdoor concerts on the Esplanade dates to 1929 and Arthur Fiedler, making the site an important piece of Boston musical history.
The front is captioned:
“HATCH MEMORIAL SHELL
ON THE ESPLANADE
BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS”
The reverse is handwritten and dated:
October 19, 1941
It is addressed to Mr. Arnold Welch, 81 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Another particularly nice feature is the green 1¢ National Defense issue stamp, inscribed “Industry – Agriculture / For Defense.” That places the postal side squarely in the American defense mobilization period shortly before U.S. entry into World War II.
The card appears to have been mailed only weeks before Pearl Harbor and America's entry into World War II, giving the combination of the October 1941 date and National Defense stamp additional historical interest.
Fair vintage condition with significant age and condition issues visible. The photograph shows fading/toning, surface cracking and crazing, staining, spotting and a prominent circular stain or discoloration toward the upper/right portion of the image. There is also corner and edge wear. Reverse has writing, postal markings and staining. Despite the wear, the main Hatch Memorial Shell image remains clearly identifiable. Please examine both photographs carefully for exact condition.
Hatch Memorial Shell, Hatch Shell, Boston Massachusetts, Boston MA, Boston Postcard, Boston RPPC, Massachusetts RPPC, Real Photo Postcard, Charles River Esplanade, Boston Esplanade, Charles River, 1941 Postcard, 1941 Boston, WWII Postcard, Pre Pearl Harbor, World War II, WWII Postal History, National Defense Stamp, Industry Agriculture Stamp, 1 Cent Stamp, One Cent Stamp, Boston Pops, Arthur Fiedler, Art Deco, Boston Architecture, Boston Music History, Historic Boston, Roxbury Massachusetts, Arnold Welch, Vintage Boston, Massachusetts Postcard, Concert Shell, Bandshell