Linen Postcards Images of the American Dream

By Mark Werther and Lorenzo Mott

A compendium on Linen postcards has arrived! Linen Postcards Images of the American Dream is a collaboration of Mark Werther and Lorenzo Mott. Werther is an architect, an orchid grower and a consultant. Mott is a career diplomat and holds the position of Italian Consul for Philadelphia.

They approach the subject of Linen postcards from markedly different perspectives. Mott focuses on theoretical concepts and discusses Linen postcards as prime examples of a pure form of American Art. Werther considers the cards for the visual impact of graphic, architectural, and color characteristics, and for the technical qualities of production and variations among manufacturers.

Their accomplished and widely traveled backgrounds, in concert with unique philosophical outlooks, has resulted in the creation of this rich, broad-based book. Over 500 high quality color images, offering 25 categories of Linen postcards, are included. Chapters on evaluation of cards, collecting information, care of Linen cards, and descriptions of manufacturers and distributors provide invaluable information for both the beginner and experienced collector. Insight is provided on the creation and manufacturing of the early Linen postcards with a prime example of one of Curt Teich's Linen cards, showing the development process.

Well-known Linen postcard columnist, collector, and dealer, Don Preziosi provides the book forward. An interview with Larry Tichnor, last surviving of three brothers who operated Colourpicture in Cambridge, Massachusetts is included. Tichnor generously provided information about the climate of production of Linen postcards as well as insights into many technical areas.