In stock · No. BIGGIE RUN 120
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MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL - VINTAGE 1970s PLASTICHROME POSTCARD - BLACK HILLS SOUTH DAKOTA - UNUSED
Capture a piece of iconic American heritage with this vintage 1970s chrome postcard featuring one of our nation's most recognizable monuments. This classic frontal view of Mount Rushmore showcases all four presidential sculptures in stunning detail against a brilliant blue South Dakota sky.
Description This striking postcard presents a professionally composed full-frontal view of Mount Rushmore National Memorial with all four presidents - Washington Jefferson Roosevelt and Lincoln - clearly visible and labeled. The vibrant Plastichrome printing process captures the remarkable contrast between the white granite sculpture and the deep blue sky with evergreen trees visible at the base of the monument.
The composition perfectly frames this monumental American landmark likely photographed from the main viewing terrace to showcase the immense scale and detail of Gutzon Borglum's masterpiece. Each president's name appears in elegant italic text directly on the photograph allowing for easy identification of these towering 60-foot sculptures carved into the Black Hills granite.
Historical Significance Mount Rushmore stands as one of America's most significant national monuments with construction spanning from 1927 to 1941 under the direction of sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The monument features the 60-foot high faces of four presidents chosen specifically to represent the nation's birth growth development and preservation: George Washington Thomas Jefferson Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
As noted in the postcard's reverse description Mount Rushmore was created as 'a memorial not to men but to the spirit of our country' - a sentiment that captures the profound symbolic importance of this landmark. The monument draws approximately three million visitors annually and has become one of the most instantly recognizable symbols of American democracy and achievement.
The photograph captures Mount Rushmore during its mature period after decades of weathering had given the sculpture its characteristic appearance but before more recent conservation efforts.
This makes the postcard not just a souvenir but a historical document of how the monument appeared during the late 1970s era. Condition This unused postcard remains in good vintage condition after approximately 45 years. The front image shows excellent color retention with the vibrant blue sky contrasting beautifully with the white granite of the sculpture - a testament to the quality of Plastichrome's printing technology.
The card shows even light toning across the entire surface with slightly more pronounced yellowing around the edges - an authentic characteristic that confirms its genuine vintage status. The paper has a slight patina that only comes with the natural aging process of mid-to-late 20th century chrome postcards.
There are no postal markings stamps or writing on the reverse side indicating the card was never used for correspondence. No significant creases tears or damage are present though there is minimal edge wear consistent with decades of careful storage.
Age/Era This postcard dates to approximately 1975-1982 identifiable through multiple indicators. The printing style paper stock and 'Elite Prints' logo are consistent with Plastichrome productions from this specific period.
The ZIP codes visible in the publisher information (02130 for Boston MA and 57709 for Rapid City SD) confirm production after the ZIP code system was well-established while the overall design aesthetic and photographic style firmly place it in the 1970s to early 1980s tourism boom period.
During this era Mount Rushmore was experiencing a significant surge in tourism following the American Bicentennial celebrations of 1976 when interest in national monuments and American heritage sites peaked. This postcard represents that golden age of American domestic tourism before digital photography would transform how we capture and share travel memories.
Rarity While Mount Rushmore postcards were produced in substantial numbers during the tourism boom of the 1970s-80s finding unused examples in good condition has become increasingly challenging.
With each passing year fewer of these authentic time capsules from America's peak tourism era survive in their original state. The vast majority of Mount Rushmore postcards were either mailed (damaging them with postal markings and address information) or simply discarded after vacations ended. The preservation of an unused example with good color retention represents an increasingly scarce find for collectors of American monuments and national parks memorabilia.
This specific card with product code 'RP 249' and stock number 'X114046S' from the Elite Prints/Plastichrome series represents a specific printing that would be difficult to match when building a comprehensive collection of Mount Rushmore or National Park postcards.
Collector's Note This postcard would make an excellent addition to collections focused on American presidents national monuments South Dakota tourism or the National Park system. The collaborative production between Boston-based Plastichrome and local Rushmore Photo Inc. resulted in a superior quality image compared to many contemporary postcards.
The patriotic description on the reverse side calling Mount Rushmore 'an inspiration to every American ' provides additional historical context about how this monument was perceived and marketed during the late 1970s era.
Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost! I combine shipping on all purchases allowing you to build your National Parks or American monuments postcard collection more economically. My inventory includes other South Dakota and American landmark postcards that would complement this Mount Rushmore example perfectly.
The Joy of Historical Ephemera In our digital age where images are infinite and disposable these tangible windows into the past take on special significance. Holding this postcard connects you to a specific moment in American tourism history - the late 1970s when visiting Mount Rushmore was a defining part of the great American road trip experience.
The tactile experience of owning a genuine period postcard creates a connection to the past that digital images simply cannot replicate. The slight texture of the paper the vintage printing techniques and even the subtle aging around the edges all confirm its authenticity as a genuine artifact from another era.
Each vintage postcard serves as a time capsule preserving not just the image but the entire context of how Americans experienced their national monuments in the pre-digital age. This card captured Mount Rushmore at a specific moment that can never be recreated.
A Disappearing Record Postcards like this represent a rapidly vanishing form of cultural documentation. As the generations who traveled during the 1970s-80s golden age of American road trip tourism age their souvenirs and mementos increasingly disappear from circulation.
The specific way Mount Rushmore was photographed printed and presented to tourists during this era is fundamentally different from how we experience monuments today. The patriotic framing the careful composition emphasizing grandeur and even the paper stock itself tell us something about American values and tourism in the late 20th century.
What makes this image particularly special is that it captures Mount Rushmore during a specific period of its history - after its completion and initial weathering but before more recent conservation efforts and visitor center renovations. This precise moment in the monument's history continues to recede further into the past with each passing year.
Secure Your Piece of American History Today Don't miss this opportunity to own an authentic piece of Mount Rushmore's history - a moment from the late 1970s when America was celebrating its heritage and national treasures. This evocative image captures both the timeless grandeur of the monument and the distinctive aesthetic of 1970s Plastichrome postcard production.
Add this genuine vintage chrome postcard to your collection before it disappears forever into another collector's archive! With the growing interest in American historical monuments and 1970s nostalgia these authentic time capsules from our national heritage become more sought-after with each passing year.
Topographical Classification: This is a TOPOGRAPHICAL POSTCARD showing a real place or location."
_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.
Gosla Antiques & Collectibles