1993 Apple Valley Golf Course Lake Lure NC Mountains Christmas Postmark Postcard

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1993 APPLE VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB POSTCARD - FAIRFIELD MOUNTAINS GOLF COURSE AT LAKE LURE NC

Description

you're looking at a genuine piece of North Carolina golf history: a vibrant postcard featuring the picturesque Apple Valley Country Club at Fairfield Mountains in Lake Lure NC. This scenic chrome postcard captures the perfect blend of manicured fairways against a stunning mountain backdrop with the elegant clubhouse nestled among mature trees.

The card was actually used and postmarked December 9 1993 during the Christmas season making it an authentic time capsule from nearly 30 years ago. The senders 'Marge n' Charlie ' wrote about enjoying the mountain views and beautiful lake - a personal connection to this special location.

What makes this card interesting is the detailed promotional text on the back describing the impressive '2 200 acres of golf tennis horseback riding water sports and breathtaking scenery' of the Fairfield Mountains resort. It specifically mentions the facility having 'two championship eighteen hole golf courses and twenty-seven miles of shoreline on beautiful Lake Lure.'

Historical Significance

This postcard documents Apple Valley Country Club during a significant period in the development of North Carolina's mountain resort communities. The early 1990s represented the maturation of the Fairfield Mountains development which had been expanding since the 1970s to become one of Western North Carolina's premier golf destinations.

Lake Lure itself has a fascinating history having been created in 1927 when the Broad River was dammed transforming the landscape and eventually leading to the development of resort communities like Fairfield Mountains. The area gained further recognition when scenes from the 1987 film 'Dirty Dancing' were filmed at nearby locations boosting tourism to the region.

Apple Valley Country Club and Bald Mountain (its sister course) have since become part of what is now known as Rumbling Bald Resort continuing to attract golf enthusiasts to the scenic mountains of western North Carolina. This postcard captures the property during its earlier branding and development phase.

Condition

This postcard is in good used condition with the expected signs of being mailed and handled. The front image remains vibrant and clear with the blues of the sky and greens of the golf course showing minimal fading.

The card shows light edge wear and some minor yellowing/toning around the edges consistent with a postcard from 1993. The corners show slight wear but remain intact without significant damage.

The postmark is clear though slightly smudged and the handwritten message remains perfectly legible. There are no major creases tears or stains that detract from the overall presentation.

Overall this card has been remarkably well-preserved for a postcard that was actually mailed and is nearly three decades old. It retains its structural integrity and visual appeal despite its journey through the postal system.

Age/Era

This postcard dates precisely to 1993 confirmed by the December 9 1993 postmark from Lake Lure NC. The early 1990s represented the tail end of the traditional postcard era just before digital photography and communication would begin to transform how people shared travel experiences.

The card features a 19¢ USA Christmas stamp from the 1993 Contemporary Christmas series with its colorful zigzag patterns creating a decorative ornament design. The partial 'MERRYCHRISTMAS' machine cancellation adds a seasonal touch that places this firmly in the holiday correspondence tradition.

The formatting typography and photographic style are all consistent with the early 1990s aesthetic in tourism promotion materials. The phone number format with area code (704) is also typical of this pre-cell phone pre-internet era of communication.

Rarity

While resort promotional postcards from the 1990s are not generally rare each postcard that survived being used represents a small miracle of preservation. Most of these cards were either discarded upon receipt or have degraded over time due to improper storage.

What gives this particular example additional interest is its specific golf course subject matter which appeals to both postcard collectors and golf memorabilia enthusiasts. The Christmas-time usage adds a seasonal collecting angle that some collectors specifically seek out.

The fact that this card includes detailed information about the Fairfield Mountains resort facilities makes it a more valuable historical document than standard scenic views. These specific pieces of North Carolina golf history are gradually disappearing from the market as they find their way into specialized collections.

Collector's Note

This postcard represents an intersection of multiple collecting interests: golf course memorabilia North Carolina tourism mountain resorts and used postcards with clear postmarks. Its crossover appeal makes it versatile for various specialized collections.

For golf enthusiasts with connections to the Lake Lure area or Apple Valley Country Club (now part of Rumbling Bald Resort) this card provides a nostalgic glimpse of the course from nearly 30 years ago. The promotional details on the back offer interesting historical context about the facilities and amenities available in 1993.

The charming personal message about enjoying the mountains and lake view adds human interest that blank postcards lack. This connection to real people who visited and appreciated this beautiful location brings an authentic dimension to this piece of ephemera.

The Joy of Historical Ephemera

There's something special about holding a genuine artifact that has traveled through time from a specific day and place. Unlike digital images or reproductions this actual card was purchased at Apple Valley Country Club written by visitors enjoying their mountain getaway and physically carried by the postal service to its destination.

Each postcard tells multiple stories - not just of the location depicted but of the people who selected it wrote on it and received it as a small token of remembrance. In our increasingly digital world these tangible connections to recent history become more meaningful as reminders of how we communicated before texts and emails.

As we lose more of these everyday historical artifacts each year preserving them becomes increasingly important. This simple postcard captures not just a beautiful golf course but a moment in time when people still shared their travel experiences through the mail.

Shipping Information

Your postcard will be carefully packaged in an archival-quality sleeve and shipped in a rigid mailer to ensure it reaches you safely and in the same condition it has maintained for nearly 30 years.

Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost! I combine shipping on all postcard purchases so please check my other listings for more golf courses North Carolina scenes and other vintage postcards.

Add This Piece of Golf History to Your Collection Today!

While not extremely rare specific golf course postcards with clear documentation and good condition like this example are becoming harder to find each year. As more collectors focus on preserving the history of notable golf courses these tangible pieces of resort history are steadily disappearing from the market.

Secure this authentic piece of Apple Valley Country Club and Lake Lure history before it finds another home in a specialized collection!"

 _gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))

 _gsrx_vers_1736 (GS 9.9.5 (1736))

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