1991 ALASKA State Flag POEM Glacier TOPOGRAPHICAL Chrome USED Marie Drake

"RARE ALASKA STATE POEM & GLACIER COMBINATION - VANISHING PIECE OF POSTAL HISTORY!

You're viewing an authentic piece of Alaska's cultural and natural history that beautifully combines the state's majestic glacier landscape with its official state poem. As physical postcards continue to vanish into obsolescence these tangible windows into Alaska's grand wilderness are disappearing at an alarming rate!

This striking chrome postcard captures one of Alaska's massive glaciers with Marie Drake's iconic state flag poem superimposed in gold - creating a perfect fusion of Alaska's natural and cultural heritage. Don't let this evocative slice of the Last Frontier slip away from your collection!

Description

This exceptional postcard features a breathtaking aerial view of what appears to be one of Alaska's major glaciers (likely the Matanuska Glacier) flowing majestically between snow-capped mountain ranges under a vibrant blue sky.

The eight yellow stars of Alaska's state flag are artistically superimposed across the image in their official Big Dipper and North Star configuration creating a powerful symbolic overlay that ties the natural landscape to state identity.

Marie Drake's complete official poem 'Alaska's Flag' appears in gold text along the right side explaining the symbolism behind the flag's design and connecting it to Alaska's natural wonders and gold rush history.

The word 'Alaska' appears in bold red text at the top left balancing the composition and immediately identifying this as an iconic representation of America's 49th state.

The overall effect creates a powerful triple-layer representation of Alaska: its physical landscape (the glacier) its official symbol (the flag stars) and its poetic heritage (Drake's famous verses).

Historical Significance

Marie Drake's poem 'Alaska's Flag' was officially designated as Alaska's state song in 1955 four years before statehood and remains a beloved symbol of Alaska's identity and heritage.

The poem specifically references the Big Dipper and North Star configuration seen on the flag which was designed by 13-year-old Benny Benson in 1927 and officially adopted as the territorial flag making it one of the few state flags designed by a child.

This postcard documents a major Alaska glacier system at a specific moment in 1991 providing an important visual record that becomes increasingly valuable as these glaciers continue to recede dramatically due to climate change.

The handwritten message on the reverse references a Princess cruise and inland tour to Denali Fairbanks and Anchorage documenting the booming Alaska tourism industry of the early 1990s when cruise travel to the state was rapidly expanding.

The combination of glacier imagery with state symbols creates a perfect time capsule of Alaska's dual identity as both a pristine wilderness and America's 49th state - a duality that continues to define Alaska's character.

Condition

This postcard is in good used condition with the authentic character that comes from genuinely traveling through international mail systems in 1991.

The front image maintains its vibrant colors and exceptional clarity showcasing the bright blue sky pristine white glacier and dramatic mountain peaks with minimal wear or fading.

The reverse displays expected postal markings including a Seattle WA postmark over a 20-cent Blue Jay US stamp from the 1991 series authenticating this card's journey from Alaska to Pennsylvania.

The handwritten message in blue ink remains completely legible offering a charming glimpse into a traveler's experience on an Alaskan cruise and inland tour with specific mentions of Denali Fairbanks and Anchorage.

The card shows only normal edge wear and slight aging/yellowing consistent with its three decades of age - characteristics that confirm its authentic vintage status.

Age/Era

This postcard dates definitively to 1991 based on the postmark and the 20-cent Blue Jay stamp design that was issued in that year.

The card exemplifies the high-quality chrome photographic style and printing techniques of early 1990s American postcards with their vibrant colors and detailed reproduction of landscapes.

The design elements including the typographic treatment of 'Alaska' and the integration of the state poem with imagery reflect the aesthetic approach of American commemorative postcards from the early 1990s period.

At over 30 years old this card has now crossed the threshold into genuine vintage collectible status representing a disappearing era of pre-digital Alaskan tourism documentation.

This card was created during a significant period in Alaska's tourism development as the cruise industry was expanding rapidly and bringing unprecedented numbers of visitors to experience the state's natural wonders.

Rarity

While Alaska scenic postcards were once common examples combining Marie Drake's complete state poem with specific glacier views are significantly less common than standard landscape views that dominated tourist stands.

The integration of the state flag stars in their specific astronomical configuration with both the poem and the glacier creates a specialized commemorative design that would have had more limited distribution than generic scenic cards.

This may be your ONLY CHANCE to own this specific combination of Alaska's glacier landscape with Marie Drake's complete state poem – a disappearing piece of Alaskan cultural history that documents both its physical landscape and poetic heritage.

Used postcards with authentic travel messages specifically mentioning multiple Alaska destinations (Denali Fairbanks Anchorage) are increasingly valued by collectors for their social history significance.

As physical postcards continue their decline into obsolescence each surviving example becomes a more precious artifact of how travelers once shared their experiences of America's last great wilderness.

Collector's Note

This postcard would make an excellent addition to collections focused on American states state flags official state poems/songs glaciers Alaska tourism or US topographical views.

The combination of natural landscape state symbolism and Marie Drake's complete poem creates a particularly comprehensive representation of Alaska that stands out among more conventional scenic postcards of the era.

The card's connection to Alaska's unique status as the 49th state adds historical significance for collectors focusing on American statehood and territorial expansion.

This may be your ONLY OPPORTUNITY to acquire this increasingly scarce documentation of both Alaska's glacial landscape and its poetic heritage – once it's gone it's gone forever!

With Alaska postcards rapidly disappearing from circulation as collectors and institutions increasingly recognize their documentary value of rapidly changing glacial landscapes now is the time to secure authentic examples before they become prohibitively scarce.

Shipping Information

Your vintage postcard will be carefully packaged in an archival sleeve and shipped in a rigid mailer to ensure safe arrival.

Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost!

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of vanishing Alaskan history! As climate change continues to dramatically alter these once-mighty glaciers these authentic visual records become increasingly valuable windows into landscapes that can never be precisely recreated."

 _gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.