Bird's eye view of Public Garden, Boston, MA, 1912

Subjects: Aerial Views & Panoramas Gardens Monuments & Memorials Public Parks & Commons
Card type: Lithograph
Date: c. 1912 (Golden Age)

Back of Bird's eye view of Public Garden, Boston, MA, 1912, c. 1912 lithograph postcard — Back

About this postcard

An elevated view shows the Public Garden's curving gravel walks and flower beds, with a circular fountain in the foreground and the lagoon, its islands, and a small bridge beyond. The equestrian statue of George Washington stands on its pedestal at center, while Boston's skyline and a church spire rise above the trees in the distance. The Public Garden was laid out in 1837 on filled marshland and is considered the first public botanical garden in the United States. Thomas Ball's Washington statue was erected at the garden's main entrance in 1869. The lagoon and its swan boats, introduced in the 1870s, were a familiar Boston attraction.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pencil

Just returning from a trip to Boston. We [illegible] had my glorious old time and did my best to make up for the absence of six long months [illegible] you [illegible] seeing [illegible] [illegible] L.P.S. looked rather [illegible] we [illegible] had been in another family how come [illegible] travelling with us in their [illegible] and [illegible] [illegible] been a [illegible] for [illegible] [illegible] this [illegible] Peggy

PostmarkedBoston, MA, September 26, 1912, 09:30

Addressed to

Mr. Wells Gunn

Bellefontaine, OH

Postcard record

Postmarked	September 26, 1912, 09:30, Boston, MA
Publisher	The Leighton & Valentine Co.
Condition	Good
Place addressed	Mr. Wells Gunn, Bellefontaine, OH
Place depicted	Public Garden, Boston, MA, Boston, MA
Publisher	The Leighton & Valentine Co., New York, NY
Stamp	1c George Washington, green, issued 1909
Stamp	10c George Washington, green, perforated on all sides
Notes	Colour lithograph with a thin white border; pronounced vertical streaking/staining across the sky and light edge wear. Postmark: BOSTON MASS. SEP 26 9:30 AM 1912. Divided-back Leighton & Valentine card; light edge wear and a small stain near the stamp.

Cite this card

Bird's eye view of Public Garden, Boston, MA, 1912, postcard, c. 1912. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/birds-eye-view-of-public-garden-boston-ma-1912. Accessed November 2, 2026.