SANTA CATALINA ISLAND POST CARDS: LONGSHAW CARD COMPANY: 500 Numbered Series (without Colon)
1940s-1957
The Longshaw Card Company, was owned Henry Lowe Longshaw, a former card salesman for the E. F. Clement Company. He mostly produced view cards and cards with the pictures of the homes of movie stars and some pin up cards. In business from the late 1930s to 1957, many of his cards are known to have orange borders, like the Santa Catalina Island card series.
Longshaw had most of his cards printed by Mission Engraving Company, 421 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, with whom he shared the building. Longshaw did go on to produce higher quality images, but was unable to compete with lower priced cards, thus he closed in 1957.
Some cards are additionally marked "From Kodachrome" or "From Kodachrome by Jusmet." Mario Hector Jusmet (1902-1972) [SS# 034-053-3130] was born in Buenos Aires on August 23, 1902. He immigrated via Spain; then to New York, arriving in the city on September 12, 1920. He later petitioned for Naturalization in Los Angeles (1942). Jusmet was a lithographer by profession. He worked for the Mission Engraving Company, the commercial art firm in the same building where Longshaw had his business in downtown Los Angeles. Presumably Jusmet did side work for Henry Longshaw's card business.
The Santa Catalina Island 500 series of post cards [#539-#566], are linen cards that have an orangish border. (Note there is no colon after the 500-number as found in Kashower Company 500-series cards.) Most cards appear to be unsent. The earliest postmark found on this series of Catalina cards is September 12, 1941 [Haffey Family Collection]; the latest is dated April 2, 1950 [SCIF].
- Santa Catalina Island Post Cards: Longshaw Card Co. 500-Series, Linen
539
Greetings from Santa Catalina Island
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
540
Descanso Beach
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
541
Flying Fish at Night
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
542
The Casino at Night
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
543
Seal Rocks
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
544
After Sundown at Avalon
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
545
A Good Day's Catch
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
546
Casino
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
547
Luxurious S.S. Catalina Approaching Avalon Bay
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
548
The Famous Casino on the Tip of Avalon Bay
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
549
The West's Sportiest Sportiest Golf Course,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
550
Crescent Avenue, Avalon Town,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
551
Lovers Cove and Glass Bottom Boat,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
552
Zane Grey's Hopi Indian Home,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
553
St. Catherine Hotel, Descanso Beach,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
554
The Big Cage, Bird Park,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
555
Speed Boats Welcome Visitors
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
556
Beautiful Avalon (Bay of Moons)
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
557
Avalon Town
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
558
Smallest Airport and Largest Landing Field (the Pacific)
Longshaw Card Company
559
Palm-Fringed Crescent Beach, Avalon
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
560
Bathing at Palm-fringed Crescent Beach, Avalon Town,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
561
Many Types of Craft Gather in Avalon Bay,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
562
Mountains Meet the Blue Pacific,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
563
Avalon Bay, Gateway to Romantic
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
564
Picturesque Hilltop Homes of Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
565
The Wrigley Home
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
566
A Glimpse of Avalon Bay,
Santa Catalina Island, California
Longshaw Card Company
[original in SCIF archives]
