Authentication of Real Photo Post Cards (RPPC)
A real photo postcard (RPPC) is a continuous-tone photographic image printed on postcard stock. The term recognizes a distinction between the real photo process and the lithographic or offset printing processes employed in the manufacture of most postcard images since the 1950's.
Beginning in 1902 Kodak offered a pre-printed card back that allowed postcards to be made directly from photo negatives. These card backs, soon copied by other photo paper suppliers, had special distinguishing marks and letters in the "place stamp here" block on the reverse. These unique markings signified the particular manufacturer of the photographic card stock paper in the original RPPC. This practice, used throughout the twentieth century, has left historians and collectors with a way of authenticating RPPC's that might otherwise be easily reproduced by today's widely available copying techniques. Each of the cards pictured here can be authenticated by its stamp block on the back. |
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Key differences can be seen in this image from previous pictures of the camp taken in the later 1930's. The original pier and dock built in 1928 (AKA "B" dock or north dock) was removed off the beach in 1940, as was the lifeguard tower and neither are can be seen in this RPPC. Secondly, the prominent dining hall, and other buildings on South Hill, were painted white. It is not clear who made these changes although the common story credits the Navy for the modifications. Recreational boats seen in the bay confirm that Camp Emerald Bay was open to civilians into 1940 and probably through 1941 as well. |
When summer camp at Emerald Bay reopened in 1946, among the souvenirs available at the trading post were prepacked groups of 10 black & white glossy photos of camp scenes and camp staff, stapled into a green cover. While technically not postcards, these green photo packs could also be addressed on the back cover and mailed with a stamp, like any postcard. Everything was produced by George Bergstrom under his "Island Photo" name and address. Over the course of the summer, the selection of photos inside would change and by the later 1940's, Scouts could even get one or two group photos of their troop, taken by Bergstrom in front of the eucalyptus tree, as part of the mix. (Just like he produced in 1930). |
1946 Spring Scouts Return to Set Up Camp View from North Hill |
1946 Summer Camp Opens View from North Hill |
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![]() Prior to Emerald Bay reopening as a summer camp in 1946, several work parties were organized to set things up and get ready for the Scouts. A work party made up mostly of Sea Scouts can be seen lined around the flag pole for colors.. |
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![]() With preparations completed, Camp Emerald Bay was ready for Scout Campers for the first time since 1939. Attendance in 1946 was quite modest, with only 80-100 total campers. The Scouts also inherited an outdoor basketball court from the Navy, seen in the lower right. |
1946 Spring Initial rebuild of "B" Pier |
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One of the first orders of business when the Scouts returned to Emerald Bay was the rebuild of the "B" pier and dock. Using empty oil barrels left at camp by the Navy, the Scouts created concrete-filled pylons and a floating dock sitting on empty barrels. This arrangement soon proved unsatisfactory as the dock leaned dangerously and was unstable. Further, the pier was not long enough, requiring additional extended sections into the water. |
1947 Samuel Prentiss Grave View from North Hill |
1947 "A" Dock Looking Towards Indian Rock Bergstrom Signature Postcard |
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In the foreground, just right of center bottom, is the gravestone of Samuel Prentiss, first permanent white settler to live on Catalina Island. The dark, squarish structure to the left of the tree and above the tombstone was the camp chapel in 1947. The Manta can be seen on the right, heading out from "A" dock. |
Scouts on "A" dock. A water taxi can be seen moored to a buoy in the upper left. The Manta can be seen, partially cropped, on the very upper right above the right-most row boat, circling in to camp. The Manta was purchased from the Navy and put into service by Crescent Bay Council in 1947. Its Sea Scout crew were part of the Camp Emerald Bay staff. |
1947 Waterfront • "A" & "B" Piers • Dining Hall View into Camp from Arrow Point Bergstrom Signature Postcard |
1947 Waterfront • "A" & "B" Piers View North from Behind Beach |
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View across Arrow Point showing both piers and docks. NOTE: a new lifeguard tower built on the beach between the two piers. Dining hall can be seen on the right. Tall trees, planted by scouts in the 1930's dominate view of Camp. compare to > 1925/26 image of camp |
On close inspection, the top of a water taxi can be seen peeking over the heads of the Scouts loading from the Manta on the right; indicating that the Manta and water taxis would load on both sides of the dock at the same time. |
1948 "Main Street' to Waterfront #1 View from North Hill Bergstrom Signature in Black |
1948 "Main Street" to Waterfront #2 View from North Hill No Signature |
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1948 North Hill • Doctors Residence Bergstrom Signature Postcard |
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The camp doctor's quarters, seen as a white tent above the docks and just ocean-side of North Hill, was the first Emerald Bay structure on North Hill since the Sea Scout Landship. During World War II, the Landship was removed by the Navy. Directly behind the Doctor's tent is a pathway down to a private beach which soon became known as Doctors Cove. That name stuck and is still in use on Catalina Island maps today. Arrow Point is seen on the the right. By the 1950's, more staff cabins were built on North Hill and the entire staff had relocated there from their former digs on South Hill. |
1948 Ernie Nave Camp Cook |
1948 "Pop" Pudney Handicraft Director |
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Camp Emerald Bay has had its share of cooks over the years who oft times became quite popular with the campers and staff. Ernie Nave, an old Navy guy, was camp cook from 1947-52 and was said to be quite a character. Every other word was a swear word and apparently he was a good knife thrower too. |
"Pop" Pudney was an icon in Crescent Bay Council, beginning as a Scoutmaster in the early 1920's, through the 1960's. He was also a master carpenter for MGM studios who gave him the summers off to go to Camp Emerald Bay. He served as handicraft director from the mid 1930's though the 1950's, missing only the early 1940's, when he ran the handicraft lodge at Camp Josepho from 1941-47 |
1948 Camp Emerald Bay Gateway |
1948 Camp Staff |
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1948 saw the construction of the first gateway into camp at the entrance of "A" pier. A retired red canoe was painted: "Welcome to Camp Emerald Bay" and hung from a pole arrangement with crossed paddles above. The gateway immediately became the first thing Scouts saw as they came off the boats pulling into camp. The huge eucalyptus tree, having grown substantially since the 1930's, can be seen beyond the gateway. The ranger's cabin, originally camp headquarters prior to 1935 and now with a covered porch, can be seen on the left while the dining hall is on the right. |
RPPC postcards and photos of staff and Emerald Bay personalities were popular in the late 1940's. This postcard from 1948 shows the staff was still quite small compared to the larger staffs of the 1930's, 1950's and beyond. Standing L-R: Jack Davies and Bill Douglas on left end; Keith Monroe and Bud Slinde on right end. Seated L-R: Ernie Nave and Bob Hawkins on left end. All other staff in image are currently unidentified. |