Sailfish from the Gulf Stream, Florida, 1944

Subjects: Hunting & Fishing Wildlife
Card type: Linen
Date: c. 1944 (Linen)

Back of Sailfish from the Gulf Stream, Florida, 1944, Mr. Bill Trueman, UT, USA, c. 1944 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

A sailfish is shown in profile against a pale sky, its long bill extended and its tall, spotted dorsal fin raised like a sail. The caption places it in the warm blue water of the Gulf Stream off Florida, the current that sweeps past the state's Atlantic coast. The caption opens with an older use of "sailfish" for the basking shark, then turns to the tropical game fish that drew anglers to Florida. By the 1940s the Gulf Stream supported a sportfishing trade, and the caption notes thousands of enthusiasts spending "happy hours and millions of dollars" hoping for a strike.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pen

Hello Bill! March 23, 1944 Here I am down in beautiful Florida - but I haven't left the ship yet - we don't get liberty for three weeks. All we do is drill, go to class, have shots in our arms and eat and sleep. I really love it! Susan King A.S

PublisherTichnor Bros., Inc.

"Sailfish", from the Gulf Stream, Florida Sailfish, a name given to the basking shark, Selache maximus, from its habit of swimming on the surface of the water with its dorsal fins exposed somewhat like the sail of a ship. Found in the deep blue warm waters of the Gulf Stream from the Gulf of Mexico along and close to the shores of Florida. Thousands of fishing enthusiasts spend happy hours and millions of dollars wishing that their next strike might be that beautiful tropical "Sailfish."

PostmarkedMarch 26, 1944

Addressed to

Mr. Bill Trueman

Cimac Radio Tube Plant Salt Lake City, UT

FromSusan King A.S., H.S.C. & T.C. Tra. Sta., Co. 172 - 3, Rm. 477, Palm Beach, FL

Postcard record

Postmarked	March 26, 1944
Publisher	Tichnor Bros., Inc.
Series	230
Condition	Very good
Place addressed	Mr. Bill Trueman, Cimac Radio Tube Plant, Salt Lake City, UT
Publisher	Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, MA
Place sent from	Susan King A.S., Co. 172 - 3, Rm. 477, H.S.C. & T.C. Tra. Sta., Palm Beach, FL
Notes	Linen-textured stock with visible crosshatch grain; printer's job number 71802 at lower left; series number 230; slight discoloration near lower right edge. Postmark: U.S. NAVY MAR 26 1944 AM. Linen-texture divided-back card with white border; Tichnor imprint; light toning, corner and edge wear.

Cite this card

Sailfish from the Gulf Stream, Florida, 1944, postcard, c. 1944. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/sailfish-from-the-gulf-stream-florida-1944. Accessed November 3, 2026.