Great Depression Resort Social History EC Kropp Series
OVERVIEW
Offered is a premier 1936 Linen era color lithograph postcard depicting the Edgewater Beach and Pavilion at Paw Paw Lake in Coloma, Michigan.
Published by the renowned E C Kropp Company, this card documents the peak of Great Depression era resort culture.
This is a genuine linen format postcard featuring the high quality cross hatch fabric texture and vibrant color saturation characteristic of 1930s midwestern resort memorabilia.
FRANKING & POSTAL HISTORY
The card features a superior documented transit history.
It is franked with a 1-cent green Benjamin Franklin stamp from the 1922 to 1938 Regular Issue series, commonly known as the Fourth Bureau Issue.
It is securely tied by a Glen Ellyn, Illinois machine cancellation dated July 3, 1936.
The card was originally processed at the resort area with a Watervliet, Michigan circular date stamp on July 2, 1936.
This perfect 24-hour arrival sequence confirms the card's authentic provenance from the Michigan fruit belt to the Chicago suburbs.
CONTEXT & COLLECTOR APPEAL
The reverse carries an exceptional complete manuscript narrative from a sender named Clara to Ruby Tingley in Glen Ellyn.
Clara provides a rare firsthand account of 1936 youth leisure, noting that ten girls from school rented a cottage on the shore of Paw Paw Lake.
She emphasizes enjoying swimming, tennis, and sleeping, specifically noting they do anything else that does not cost anything.
This economic history narrative provides a stark look at Great Depression vacationing, where the focus was on communal rentals and zero-cost recreation.
It is a high grade specimen documenting the legendary Chicago to Michigan summer migration.
ITEM SPECIFICS
Country: United States
Year: 1936
Type: Printed Linen Postcard
Topic: Paw Paw Lake Edgewater Beach Pavilion
Theme: Great Depression Resort Social History
Subject: Coloma Michigan Cottage Rental
Era: Linen Era 1930 to 1945
Region: Coloma Michigan
Artist and Publisher: E C Kropp Company
Format: Color Linen Lithograph Not RPPC
Stamp Color: Green
Stamp Denomination: 1 Cent
Printing Method: Lithograph
Paper Type: Textured Linen Cardstock
Cancellation Type: Circular Date Stamp and Machine Cancel
Cancellation Date: 2 July 1936 and 3 July 1936
Scott Number: Fourth Bureau Issue Not Confirmed
Features: Postally Used Divided Back
Custom SKU: MI-PAWPAW-1936-KROPP
CONDITION
This original linen postcard is in postally used vintage condition.
The front image remains vibrant with characteristic E C Kropp color saturation and well preserved linen texture.
The card exhibits minor corner and edge wear consistent with its 1930s transit history. A light vertical crease is visible toward the left side of the front image.
The reverse shows bold, legible ink with an intact stamp and clear postal markings. There are no pinholes or significant tears. Please review photographs carefully to determine exact condition.