Tyler: (Postcard History Series)

In the early 1900s, the golden age of postcards was just beginning. Millions of cards were mailed across America, and many survive today in archives and private collections. Through these snapshots of history, Tyler's evolution can be traced. While fruit and cotton production was king into the early 20th century, a floral beauty soon brought Tyler new royalty-the Rose Queen. The discovery of oil in the city's backyard supplied a security blanket during the Great Depression's uncertain days, and Tyler benefitted with commercial and population growth. This book contains more than 200 vintage postcards that chronicle Tyler's social, educational, and medical history and its place in the heart of East Texas.

About the Author :
Author Robert E. Reed Jr., a lifelong Tyler resident, is a graduate of Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler. He is the current president of the Smith County Historical Society and a member of the Tyler Tap Chapter of the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society. His vast Tyler memorabilia collection supplied the majority of the postcard images included in this book. Reed's previous works include Images of America: Tyler, also by Arcadia Publishing.

Review :
Title: Book Tracks Tyler's History Through Postcards Author: Dayna Worchel Publisher: Tyler Paper Date: 10/5/09 By day, Smith County Historical Society President Robert Reed Jr. has held a thoroughly modern job as a software developer for Andrews Center in Tyler for the past 20 years. But his favorite hobby when he's not working in his technical career is local history. He said he loves it. And Reed loves it enough to have been involved with the historical organization for the past 6 years and to have written two photographic books on 19th and 20th century Tyler history. He was at the Tyler Public Library on Sunday giving a presentation on his second book, "Postcard History Series, Tyler," and signing copies of it for the four attendees who braved the rain. His first book was "Images of America: Tyler." The second book contains 226 vintage postcards depicting Tyler history from the first seven decades of the 20th century, and made its debut on Sept. 28. The chapters include postcards showing subject matter such as the courthouses, the public square, street scenes, residences, public buildings, education and religion. The postcards come from Reed's own 500-card collection, which he keeps stored at home on special acid-proof paper. "Postcards were in their heyday from about 1907 to 1915, and everyone collected them," he said. Reed explained that many of the postcards in the United States at that time were produced by German publishers and when World War I began, that supply was lost. "We couldn't reproduce those photographs as well," Reed said, adding that the popularity of the postcards diminished. He said that people began to take their own photos and widely do so now. In the introduction to his book, Reed said that postcards were a simple and easy way to let folks know that you had arrived safely at your destination. Reed said it took him well over a decade to collect the cards. Most, he said, come from antique stores and estate sales and some are purchased online. To write the postcards book, he tapped into his personal collection, and borrowed a few. "I've focused on postcards for the past 10 to 15 years," said Reed, who collects other memorabilia as well. He has a vintage camera collection, and he helps his wife Kay Reed with her collection of Dr. Pepper memorabilia. One of his favorite cards, he said, is the shot on the cover of his postcards book, which shows the Smith County courthouse, built in 1910. The photo was taken in the 1930s, with cars of the era speeding by on North College Avenue. Reed, who is 47, has lived in Tyler his whole life and said he hopes to put together a third book soon, possibly called "Then and Now," showing locations in Tyler as they were and as they are now. "I just like to see all of the old things we have lost -- we have so much to share that is lost now," said Reed of his love for local history. Title: Postcard History Book Signing Set Saturday Author: Staff Writer Publisher: Tyler Paper Date: 11/11/09 Robert Reed has scheduled a book signing from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 4916 S. Broad-way Ave., Tyler. Reed, author of last year's photographic history book, "Images of America: Tyler," recently completed a second work with Arcadia Publishing titled "Postcard History: Tyler." The new book contains 226 vintage postcard images covering Tyler's history through the first seven decades of the 20th century, with a majority coming from the author's personal collection. Barnes & Noble will have copies of both of Reed's books available for purchase. Born and raised in Tyler, Reed graduated from Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler, and is a member of Leadership Tyler Class 23. He was recently re-elected for a third term as president of the Smith County Historical Society and is a member of the Tyler Tap Chapter of the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society. For more information, e-mail tylertexas@sprynet.com or call Barnes & Noble at 903-534-3996.