This vintage postcard offers a vibrant snapshot of life on Miami Beach, Florida, circa 1945. The front bursts with activity, a panorama of sunbathers and swimmers enjoying the sand and surf. Palm trees sway along the shoreline, framing a backdrop of period-specific coastal architecture. Several tall buildings rise in the distance, hinting at the city's growing skyline. Tiny boats and what appears to be a large inflatable tube dot the turquoise waters. The beach itself, a warm beige, is speckled with the colorful impressions of beachgoers and their belongings. The slightly muted, desaturated colors lend the card its charmingly vintage aesthetic. "D.C. 55 – 'Sun-Time' at Miami Beach, Fla." is printed in the upper right corner, a nostalgic touch. The overall scene, from the architectural styles to the suggested attire of the beachgoers, clearly places this postcard in the mid-20th century. The reverse side, a soft blue-green, presents the standard divided postcard format with designated areas for the message, address, and the pre-printed word "POST-CARD." "DADE COUNTY NEWSDEALERS SUPPLY CO., MIAMI, FLA." appears in the upper left, while "GENUINE CURTEICH-CHICAGO 'C.T. ART-COLORTONE' POST CARD (REG. U.S. PAT.OFF.)" identifies the publisher and the distinctive chromolithographic printing process at the bottom left. A canceled one-cent green U.S. postage stamp, likely bearing George Washington's profile, is affixed. The circular postmark, partially legible, reveals "MIAMI FLA" and "FEB 9," with the year almost certainly 1945, judging by a partially visible "44" and the stamp's design. A handwritten message in blue ink, addressed to "Aunt Ethel" and dated "7/14/44," offers a glimpse into the past. While partially obscured and faded, the legible portions speak enthusiastically of Miami Beach, possibly even referring to it as a "jewel" and mentioning the presence of soldiers. The ink has bled slightly in areas, adding to the card's vintage character. Expected age-related toning and discoloration are present, especially around the edges, along with some ghosting from the front image. A diagonal crease runs from the top left towards the center right. The imagery, the one-cent stamp, the handwritten date, and the "C.T. Art-Colortone" hallmark all definitively place this postcard in the mid-1940s, a tangible piece of wartime history.

Miami Beach Florida Postcard 1945 Soldiers Jewel CT Art-Colortone Curteich