Edward H. Mitchell

I have always enjoyed postcards published by Edward H. Mitchell. Who can resist the amusing exaggerated postcards of huge fruit going to market on their Southern Pacific Railroad Cars or the subtle studies of an object whether it be a flower or statue?

A prolific publisher, Edward H. Mitchell brought the beauty of the Pacific Coast, the excitement of the World's Fair Expositions, the wilds of Alaska and the exotic and tropical beauty of Hawaii way before these states were a twinkle in Uncle Sam's eye. Can you imagine what a thrill those in the Midwest received when they received the above card? I know the thrill of an alligator pulling my children around would certainly put the California Alligator Farm on my list of places to visit!

Edward Henry Mitchell was born April 27, 1867 in San Francisco, California. He was a tall man for his day standing six feet three inches. Primarily a businessman Mitchell besides publishing postcards also dealt in real estate and oil well leasing.

Edw. Mitchell was the first lithographing establishment in the country to give workmen an eight hour day and paid his men as much in one week as overseas workers were receiving in one month. He was noted as saying "money is paid to American workmen who spend it at home and keep it in circulation." All postcards printed after 1908 proudly proclaim 'Printed in the United States' on their backside.

Edward H. Mitchell gave up postcard publishing around 1923 and died from a heart attack in Palo Alto, California on October 24, 1932. He left behind thousands of views of the early statehood and in some cases pre statehood years of our Western States.

Even if you have no interest in postcards, I urge you to take a look at Edward H. Mitchell, Publisher of postcards extraorinaire.