The photograph shows two large columnar cacti standing in rocky Arizona desert scrub beneath a pale sky. The left plant is a saguaro with upright arms. The right is a massive crested form whose top spreads into a convoluted, fan-like crown. The printed caption calls them "two species of giant cactus," but the crested specimen is a rare growth form of the saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), not a separate species. The writer's note of 85-degree weather in December contrasts with the New York winter.
Postcard Details
Message · English, in pen
Dear Bamma Clara: I did
appreciate and enjoy
the thought expressed
by your pretty Christmas
card. Next time, write a
line to tell me how you are,
also about sister & Dorothy.
It's 85 here, so you see we are
not suffering with cold. I am
much better. Hope you are
all well. Shall always love
you and remember your
kindness. Affectionately, Florence.
White border; visible linen-texture screen; small dark spot in sky at upper right; printer's job number 33334 at right of caption. Postmark: TUCSON, ARIZ. DEC 21 4:30 PM 1933. Divided-back linen-texture card with white border; light corner/edge wear, stamp partly torn at right.
Cite this card
Two species of giant cactus, Arizona, 1933, postcard, c. 1933. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/two-species-of-giant-cactus-arizona-1933. Accessed November 2, 2026.
