Rehoboth Beach Museum publishes landmark postcard book

The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society announced the release of its very own publication, “Greetings from Rehoboth Beach, Postcards from the Collection of The Rehoboth Beach Museum.”

This hardbound book features 182 full-color pages and a wealth of information about the evolution of postcards, and well-known postcard publishers, illustrated by postcard views of Rehoboth Beach from 1905 to the present. Many of the cards are previously unpublished and selected from collections gifted to the museum by notable collectors such as Judge James G. Horn, Hugo Keesing, and the late Skipper and Til Purnell.

Researched and written by postcard collectors and museum volunteers Roland Forster and David McDonald, “Greetings from Rehoboth Beach” presents new scholarship about local postcard photographers and publishers and features some of the best examples from the museum's collection. Each chapter presents a specific era in postcard history, paired with the corresponding period of Rehoboth Beach history. Appendices document prominent local postcard publishers and all 419 postcards depicted in the text.

“Readers will learn so much about the history of postcards as well as enjoy beautifully designed pages and pages of appealing postcards,” said Nancy Alexander, former museum director. “The society is so very grateful to Hal and Cindy Dukes and Neil Dougherty and the Dewey Beach Historical Society for significant financial support for this important project.”

The book will be available for purchase at the museum’s gift shop beginning Saturday, June 24. Online sales are planned for the future.

Members of the public wishing to purchase a copy are encouraged to visit the museum. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p..m., Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, go to rehobothbeachmuseum.org.