Trader Vic’s Postcard List

This is a list of every Trader Vic's postcard that I know of. If I own an example, the thumbnail links to a larger view. Otherwise, usually links to an online reference such as Tiki Central that discusses the card. Thanks very much to everyone who provided great information there and elsewhere.

Thanks are due to everyone whose content I linked and to Dustycajun for loads of information and Hamburg and Honolulu pics.

I'd love to hear more about what's missing. For example, I'm surprised that I can't find anything from Dallas. With permission, I'll post any updates that I receive.

— Tom <tinsel@tinsel.org>

Beverly Hills

[postcard]
The Traders exterior watercolor
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central
[postcard]
Interior
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central

Boston

[postcard]
Lanai Room ~ Plastichrome by Colourpicture P69753

Chicago (Palmer House)

[postcard]
The Traders or Trader Vic's ~ Curteichcolor 7C-K936

According to this guide from The Curt Teich Postcard Archives, this card was released in 1957, the same year this location opened. This means it isn't significantly newer than the black and white card below.

[postcard]
B&W The Trader's Restaurant
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central

Denver (Cosmopolitan Hotel)

[postcard]
Outrigger interior ~ A.B. Hirschfield Press, Photo by Sam McRae
[postcard]
Other Interior
Evidence: Tiki Architecture

Detroit

[postcard]
Interior
Evidence: Chub at Tiki Central

Emeryville

[postcard]
Tiki and Menehune Rooms
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central

Hamburg

[postcard]
"It's Tiki Time!" (pic: Dustcajun)
(reverse)

Havana

[postcard]
Watercolor interior

Honolulu

[postcard]
B&W exterior
Evidence: worthpoint.com
[postcard]
Exterior
Evidence: Dustycajun at tikiroom.com

Houston

[postcard]
Interior ~ Plastichrome by Colourpicture P74688

London

[postcard]
Divided Interiors
[postcard]
Interior
Evidence: worthpoint.com
[postcard]
Interior with sake barrels
Evidence: Tiki Quest page 139

Munich

[postcard]
Evidence: jassy-50 at flickr

New York (Savoy)

[postcard]
Vertical interior
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central
[postcard]
Interior ~ Dexter Color
[postcard]
Divided entrance/interior
Evidence: worthpoint.com

New York (Plaza)

[postcard]
Interior
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central

Oakland

[postcard]
"The Deck" ~ Mike Roberts SC2517
[postcard]
Main Dining Room ~ Mike Roberts SC7206
(reverse)

Palo Alto

[postcard]
"Meet Some of Your Friends at Trader Vic's" (5×7)
[postcard]
"Legendary Cuisine and Exotic Drinks" (5×7)

Portland

[postcard]
Interior ~ Mirro-Krome by H.S. Crocker

St. Louis

[postcard]
Interior ~ Kohler Color Card, Photo by Robert F. Arteaga
[postcard]
Interior 2 ~ Curteichcolor
Evidence: worthpoint.com

San Francisco (Cosmo Place)

[postcard]
Tiki Room looking into the Garden Room ~ Mike Roberts SC2516
[postcard]
Garden Room ~ Mike Roberts SC7204
[postcard]
Hong Kong Room ~ Mike Roberts SC7205
[postcard]
original oil painting by Peter Hayward (4×6) ~ Mike Roberts SCB16203
original oil painting by Peter Hayward (4×6) ~ Tal Rice

San Juan

[postcard]
Vertical entrance
Evidence: Humuhumu at Tiki Central
[postcard]
Entrance
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central
[postcard]
Back Entrance
Evidence: Arkiva Tropika

Scottsdale

[postcard]
Interior ~ Douglass Color Card 63046
[postcard]
Evening Exterior ~ Petley S-62945-7
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central and CardCow
[postcard]
Daytime Exterior ~ Douglass Color Card 58713
Evidence: Dustycajun at Tiki Central and CardCow

Seattle

[postcard]
Outrigger Interior ~ Mirro-Krome by H.S.Crocker
[postcard]
Outrigger Interior ~ Mirro-Krome by H.S.Crocker
[postcard]
Outrigger Interior
Evidence: Arkiva Tropika
[postcard]
The Outrigger Neon
Evidence: Arkiva Tropika
[postcard]
Trader Vic's Neon
Evidence: Arkiva Tropika

Tokyo

[postcard]
"Photo shows the six-foot stone stele presented by the founder of Trader Vic's, Victor Bergeron, to The New Otani Hotel and Tower as a token of lasting friendship." (4×6) ~ Printed in Japan 0810

Vancouver

[postcard]
Interior ~ "Litho in Canada" C-1400
[postcard]
Exterior
Evidence: Arkiva Tropika

Waikiki

[postcard]
Woman at Bar ~ Mike Roberts
Evidence: Phillip Roberts at Tiki Central

It's unclear to me if this is a Trader Vic's postcard, or just a postcard photographed at Trader Vic's?

Washington, D.C.

[postcard]
Entrance ~ Prince Lithograph PE-301
[postcard]
Interior ~ McGrew Color Graphics 651379, photography created by Chase Studios of Washington

Menu Cover

[postcard]
Atlanta (Dustycajun)
Beverly Hills
Chicago ~ Tal Rice
Denver ~ "DPH 3/78"
Emeryville ~ Mike Roberts SC18301 (eBay)
Emeryville ~ Tal Rice
Manhattan (Plaza) ~ "DPH 2/79"
Scottsdale ~ "DPH 2/79"
Singapore

75th Anniversary

[postcard] [postcard] [postcard]
"Greetings from Paradise"
"South Seas"
"Your Time is Mai Time"

Folding Mailer - Three Color Menu

[postcard] [postcard] [postcard]
Oakland © 1941 (three color) (see Trad'r Bill at tikiroom.com)
Oakland and Honolulu (three color) (ev: eBay)
Honolulu (three color) ~ Granny Abbot (ev: worthpoint.com, Dustycajun)
Honolulu (three color) ~ Granny Abbot & Fred Mosher (ev: Dustycajun)

Folding Mailer - Full Color Menu

[postcard]
Oakland © 1947 (full color) (see Dustycajun at tikiroom.com)
San Francisco © 1947 (full color) (ev: eBay)

Folding Mailer - Other

[postcard]
[postcard] [postcard]
Outrigger, Seattle (ev: Dustycajun at tikiroom.com)
Eight-page recipes (ev: worthpoint.com) (see uncle trav at tikiroom.com)
The New Denver Outrigger folding mailer (ev: eBay)

References & Links

Bibliography

Carter, Duke. Tiki Quest: Collecting the Exotic Past. Chicago: Pegboard Press, 2003.

Tiki

Postcard Vendors

[Tiki]
Thomas Insel / tinsel@tinsel.org