Book Description

"This unique collection, the most extensive of its kind, comprises 191 views--16 in full color--of trolleys and streetcars on American picture postcards. Spanning a total of 162 different localities in all 50 states except Alaska, plus the District of Columbia and San Juan, Puerto Rico, the volume pictures a wide range of cars and lines: primitive systems on just one street and sophisticated interurbans; horse-drawn, battery-powered, steam, gas, and electric vehicles; and such types as California, Vanderpoele, Barber, and "hobble-skirt" cars. Among the most impressive cars are: the excursion trolley Berkshire Hills, probably the finest parlor car ever made (Pittsfield, Mass.); the most beautiful double-decker ever to run in America (Coronado, Cal.); one of the most picturesque interurbans in the West, seen at its terminal in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and New York City's famous double-decker, the "Broadway Battleship." Full captions for all the postcards indicate locality and state, name of trolley company represented and varied information including the trackage, type of car shown, printer of postcard, etc. The cards are conveniently arranged, alphabetically by state and, within each state, alphabetically by the locality actually depicted on the card"--From back cover.