A guide to the Thomas Judson postcard collection, 1878-1935
Processed by: T. Horton, 2010; L. Bianchi, 2014.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 415-561-7030
Fax: 415-556-3540
SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov
URL: http://www.nps.gov/safr
2015
A Guide to the Thomas Judson postcard collection
P98-009
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service
2015, National Park Service
Title: Thomas Judson postcard collection
Date: 1878-1935
Identifier/Call Number: P98-009 (SAFR 22330)
Creator:
Judson, Thomas
Physical Description:
20 items.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Thomas Judson postcard collection, 1878-1935, (SAFR 22330, P98-009) is comprised mainly of postcards of west coast passenger
vessels. The collection has been processed to the item level and is open for use.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
Access
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
Publication and Use Rights
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other
case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Processing Note
Each photographic image has been assigned an item number; there are often multiple physical forms of each image (e.g. two
identical postcards) which has been noted in the physical description field.
SAFR-01233 was processed and cataloged in 2010 as P98-009. Item numbers were not assigned to the individual postcards. The
envelopes were only marked with the accession inventory number. In 2014, SAFR-00988 was accrued to P98-009. Due to the small
size of the collection, the collection was reprocessed and assigned item numbers after arranging the collection in alphabetical
order by vessel name.
Description Notes:
Dates refer to when the original photograph was taken. Some of the photographic prints and negatives in this collection are
reproductions that were made later than when the original photograph was taken.
The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include
the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter
experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide
please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.
Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.
Preferred Citation
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], P98-009 (SAFR 22330), Thomas Judson postcard collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Acquisition Information
SAFR-00998
SAFR-01233
Thomas Judson gave 14 items to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in 1995 (SAFR-00998). Judson gave an additional
6 postcards along with 20 pieces of ephemera to the Park that were accessioned into the museum collection in 1998 (SAFR-01233).
Historical or Biographical Note
Thomas Judson (1902-2000) was a radio operator aboard various steamships, including CENTAURUS, CITY OF PARA, GENERAL M.H.
SHERMAN, SONOMA, MANCHURIA, PONCE, SAN JOSE, and VENTURA. In 1927, Judson served as both the radio operator and the purser
aboard OAXACA.
Sources:
- Ancestry.com. California, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1959 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations
Inc, 2008. Accessed September 11, 2014.
- Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
Accessed September 11, 2014.
- Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc,
2011. Accessed September 11, 2014.
- Ancestry.com. Washington, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1961 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations
Inc, 2006. Accessed September 11, 2014.
Collection Scope and Content
The Thomas Judson postcard collection, 1878-1935, (SAFR 22330, P98-009) is comprised mainly of postcards of west coast passenger
vessels. The collection has been processed to the item level and is open for use.
Contains postcards of west coast passenger vessels operated by various companies, including the Los Angeles Steamship Company,
Canadian Pacific Railway, Pacific Mail Steamship Company, Pacific Steamship Company, Panama Pacific Line, and West Coast Transportation
Company, 1878-1935. There are 16 unique photographic images in 20 physical forms (9 black-and-white photographic postcards,
1 black-and-white photographic print, 2 black-and-white collotype postcards, 1 color collotype postcard, and 7 color letterpress
halftone postcards). Most of the postcards depict the vessel traveling between destinations.
Includes postcards of Los Angeles Steamship Company vessels CALAWAII (built 1893; passenger vessel), CITY OF HONOLULU (built
1900; passenger vessel), CITY OF LOS ANGELES (built 1899; passenger vessel), HARVARD (built 1907; passenger vessel), and YALE
(built 1906; passenger vessel).
The collection also includes postcards of vessels from other steamship companies: CITY OF PARA (built 1878; passenger vessel),
DOROTHY ALEXANDER (built 1907; passenger vessel), EMPRESS OF ASIA (built 1912; passenger vessel), MANCHURIA (built 1904; passenger
vessel), OAXACA (built 1918; passenger vessel), SAN JUAN (built 1882; passenger vessel), and VENEZUELA (built 1915; passenger
vessel).
Note that Item 01 is addressed to Thomas Judson, Chief Radio Operator of the steamship SONOMA.
Collection Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by vessel name.
Related Materials
Thomas Judson also donated a group of ephemera as part of the SAFR-01233 accession. The items have been cataloged as SAFR
15344 through SAFR 15359. They include menus for meals aboard CALAWAII, CITY OF PARA, SAN JUAN, VENEZUELA, and other vessels;
passenger lists for VENEZUELA and MANCHURIA voyages; and pamphlets and booklets.
- This material is located at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Passenger ships
Ocean liners
Merchant ships
Los Angeles Steamship Company
Pacific Coast (U.S.)
Photographic postcards
Picture postcards
Black-and-white prints (photographs)
Item No. 01.
Calawaii (built 1893; passenger vessel) docked, port bow view,
1922-1923
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Addressed on the verso to "Mr. Thomas Judson, Chief Radio Operator, S.S. Sonoma, Honolulu." Correspondence has been crossed
out. Postmarked February 23, 1923.
Item No. 02.
Calawaii (built 1893; passenger vessel) underway, port broadside view,
1922-1933
Creator/Collector:
Curt Teich & Co.
Extent:
1 postcard (2 physical forms).
Physical Description:
2 color letterpress halftone postcards, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: On the front: "S.S. Calawaii. Most popular cabin liner on Pacific. All staterooms on the outside." On the verso:
"Hawaii direct from Los Angeles / Over the Southern Route. Fortnightly Sailings. Giant Liners. Highest Standards of Service
/ Los Angeles Steamship Co."
Item No. 03.
City of Honolulu (built 1900; passenger vessel) underway off Diamond Head, Oahu, Hawaii, starboard broadside view,
1926-1930
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: "S.S. City of Honolulu."
Item No. 04.
City of Los Angeles (built 1899; passenger vessel) underway, starboard broadside view,
1922-1932
Creator/Collector:
Curt Teich & Co.
Extent:
1 postcard (2 physical forms).
Physical Description:
2 color letterpress halftone postcards, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: On the front: "S.S. City of Los Angeles, queen of the Pacific / Largest first class passenger carrying steamship
in the Hawaiian service." On the verso: "Hawaii direct from Los Angeles / Over the Southern Route. Fortnightly Sailings. Giant
Liners. Highest Standards of Service / Los Angeles Steamship Co."
Item No. 05.
City of Para (built 1878; passenger vessel) in drydock, port bow view,
1878-1924
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic print, 2.75 x 4.5 in.
Item No. 06.
City of Para (built 1878; passenger vessel) underway, port broadside view,
1878-1924
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, hand colored, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Item No. 07.
Dorothy Alexander (built 1907; passenger vessel) underway, port broadside view,
1923-1935
Creator/Collector:
Scenic Photo Publishing Company
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: "Dorothy Alexander / Pacific Steamship Co."
Item No. 08.
Empress of Asia (built 1912; passenger vessel) anchored off of Japan, port bow view,
1913-1935
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 color collotype postcard, 3.5 x 5.5. in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: "'Empress of Asia' in Japanese waters."
Item No. 09.
Harvard (built 1907; passenger vessel) underway, starboard broadside view,
1920-1931
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 color letterpress halftone postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: On the verso: "S.S. Yale and S.S. Harvard are triple-screw, 12,000 horsepower turbine sister steamships, providing
de luxe passenger service between the ports of San Francisco-Los Angeles-San Diego / The furnishings, appointments and service
on these two palatial coastwise steamships are unsurpassed. / Los Angeles Steamship Co."
Item No. 10.
Manchuria (built 1904; passenger vessel) underway leaving New York Harbor, starboard broadside view,
1904-1928
Extent:
1 postcard (2 physical forms).
Physical Description:
2 black-and-white collotype postcards, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: On the front: "S.S. Manchuria leaving New York Harbor." On the verso: "Panama Pacific Line / S.S. 'Manchuria' / Displacement,
26,700 tons / Length 616 feet Breadth, 65 feet / Express Service / to and from / New York and California Ports / via Havana,
Cuba and the Panama Canal / Regular Sailings."
Item No. 11.
Oaxaca (built 1918; passenger vessel) underway, starboard broadside view,
circa 1925-1930
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
West Coast Transportation Company vessel.
Item No. 12.
San Juan (built 1882; passenger vessel) underway, view slightly off the starboard bow,
1882-1930
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Photographed by J.J.P. (full name not known).
Caption: "Vapor Americano 'San Juan.' Acapulco, Gro."
Item No. 13.
Venezuela (built 1915; passenger vessel) underway at Acapulco, Mexico, port bow view,
1915-1931
Extent:
1 postcard (2 physical forms).
Physical Description:
2 black-and-white photographic postcards, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Item No. 14.
Yale (built 1906; passenger vessel) underway at the Los Angeles Harbor breakwater, California, starboard broadside view,
1920-1935
Creator/Collector:
Neuner (Firm)
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 color letterpress halftone postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Three people are seated in the foreground, watching the vessel pass.
Caption: On the front: "S.S. Yale rounding breakwater of Los Angeles Harbor en route to San Francisco." On the verso: "S.S.
Yale and S.S. Harvard are super-express, triple-screw, 12,000 horse-power turbine-engined, sister steamships providing unsurpassed
passenger service between the ports of San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego / Owned and operated by Los Angeles Steamship Company."
Item No. 15.
Yale (built 1906; passenger vessel) underway, starboard broadside view,
1920-1935
Creator/Collector:
Time-Mirror Printing & Binding House
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 color letterpress halftone postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Illustration.
Caption: On the front: "S.S. YALE rounding breakwater of Los Angeles Harbor en route to San Francisco." On the verso: "S.S.
Yale and S.S. Harvard are super-express, triple-screw, 12,000 horse-power turbine-engined, sister steamships providing unsurpassed
passenger service between the ports of San Francisco-Los Angeles-San Diego / Owned and operated by Los Angeles Steamship Company."
Item No. 16.
Yale (built 1906; passenger vessel) underway, view slightly off the starboard bow,
1920-1935
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: "S.S. Yale."
Item No. 01.
Calawaii (built 1893; passenger vessel) docked, port bow view,
1922-1923
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Addressed on the verso to "Mr. Thomas Judson, Chief Radio Operator, S.S. Sonoma, Honolulu." Correspondence has been crossed
out. Postmarked February 23, 1923.
Item No. 02.
Calawaii (built 1893; passenger vessel) underway, port broadside view,
1922-1933
Creator/Collector:
Curt Teich & Co.
Extent:
1 postcard (2 physical forms).
Physical Description:
2 color letterpress halftone postcards, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: On the front: "S.S. Calawaii. Most popular cabin liner on Pacific. All staterooms on the outside." On the verso:
"Hawaii direct from Los Angeles / Over the Southern Route. Fortnightly Sailings. Giant Liners. Highest Standards of Service
/ Los Angeles Steamship Co."
Item No. 03.
City of Honolulu (built 1900; passenger vessel) underway off Diamond Head, Oahu, Hawaii, starboard broadside view,
1926-1930
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: "S.S. City of Honolulu."
Item No. 04.
City of Los Angeles (built 1899; passenger vessel) underway, starboard broadside view,
1922-1932
Creator/Collector:
Curt Teich & Co.
Extent:
1 postcard (2 physical forms).
Physical Description:
2 color letterpress halftone postcards, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: On the front: "S.S. City of Los Angeles, queen of the Pacific / Largest first class passenger carrying steamship
in the Hawaiian service." On the verso: "Hawaii direct from Los Angeles / Over the Southern Route. Fortnightly Sailings. Giant
Liners. Highest Standards of Service / Los Angeles Steamship Co."
Item No. 05.
City of Para (built 1878; passenger vessel) in drydock, port bow view,
1878-1924
Extent:
1 photograph.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic print, 2.75 x 4.5 in.
Item No. 06.
City of Para (built 1878; passenger vessel) underway, port broadside view,
1878-1924
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, hand colored, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Item No. 07.
Dorothy Alexander (built 1907; passenger vessel) underway, port broadside view,
1923-1935
Creator/Collector:
Scenic Photo Publishing Company
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: "Dorothy Alexander / Pacific Steamship Co."
Item No. 08.
Empress of Asia (built 1912; passenger vessel) anchored off of Japan, port bow view,
1913-1935
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 color collotype postcard, 3.5 x 5.5. in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: "'Empress of Asia' in Japanese waters."
Item No. 09.
Harvard (built 1907; passenger vessel) underway, starboard broadside view,
1920-1931
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 color letterpress halftone postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: On the verso: "S.S. Yale and S.S. Harvard are triple-screw, 12,000 horsepower turbine sister steamships, providing
de luxe passenger service between the ports of San Francisco-Los Angeles-San Diego / The furnishings, appointments and service
on these two palatial coastwise steamships are unsurpassed. / Los Angeles Steamship Co."
Item No. 10.
Manchuria (built 1904; passenger vessel) underway leaving New York Harbor, starboard broadside view,
1904-1928
Extent:
1 postcard (2 physical forms).
Physical Description:
2 black-and-white collotype postcards, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: On the front: "S.S. Manchuria leaving New York Harbor." On the verso: "Panama Pacific Line / S.S. 'Manchuria' / Displacement,
26,700 tons / Length 616 feet Breadth, 65 feet / Express Service / to and from / New York and California Ports / via Havana,
Cuba and the Panama Canal / Regular Sailings."
Item No. 11.
Oaxaca (built 1918; passenger vessel) underway, starboard broadside view,
circa 1925-1930
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
West Coast Transportation Company vessel.
Item No. 12.
San Juan (built 1882; passenger vessel) underway, view slightly off the starboard bow,
1882-1930
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Photographed by J.J.P. (full name not known).
Caption: "Vapor Americano 'San Juan.' Acapulco, Gro."
Item No. 13.
Venezuela (built 1915; passenger vessel) underway at Acapulco, Mexico, port bow view,
1915-1931
Extent:
1 postcard (2 physical forms).
Physical Description:
2 black-and-white photographic postcards, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Item No. 14.
Yale (built 1906; passenger vessel) underway at the Los Angeles Harbor breakwater, California, starboard broadside view,
1920-1935
Creator/Collector:
Neuner (Firm)
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 color letterpress halftone postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Three people are seated in the foreground, watching the vessel pass.
Caption: On the front: "S.S. Yale rounding breakwater of Los Angeles Harbor en route to San Francisco." On the verso: "S.S.
Yale and S.S. Harvard are super-express, triple-screw, 12,000 horse-power turbine-engined, sister steamships providing unsurpassed
passenger service between the ports of San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego / Owned and operated by Los Angeles Steamship Company."
Item No. 15.
Yale (built 1906; passenger vessel) underway, starboard broadside view,
1920-1935
Creator/Collector:
Time-Mirror Printing & Binding House
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 color letterpress halftone postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Illustration.
Caption: On the front: "S.S. YALE rounding breakwater of Los Angeles Harbor en route to San Francisco." On the verso: "S.S.
Yale and S.S. Harvard are super-express, triple-screw, 12,000 horse-power turbine-engined, sister steamships providing unsurpassed
passenger service between the ports of San Francisco-Los Angeles-San Diego / Owned and operated by Los Angeles Steamship Company."
Item No. 16.
Yale (built 1906; passenger vessel) underway, view slightly off the starboard bow,
1920-1935
Extent:
1 postcard.
Physical Description:
1 black-and-white photographic postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 in.
Scope and Content Note
Caption: "S.S. Yale."
