Schiff Scout Reservation

Mendham, New Jersey

Schiff served as a training facility for the Boy Scouts of America during a portion of six decades.  Over that time span several different companies produced postcards of the reservation.  The earlier producers included The Albertype Company of Brooklyn, NY, and The Collotype Company of Elizabeth, NJ and NY, as well as The Mayrose Company of New York and Artvue.

In some cases two or more companies used the same photograph from which to make cards.  Thus, for example, a similar card may be found with a Mayrose back (at least four different styles!) or a Collotype back.  In addition, particularly with the earlier Collotype cards, the position of the title varied noticeably from printing to printing.  One can not help but conclude that with the popularity of Schiff, these cards were produced in very large quantities over several printings.  Indeed, because of its national audience, Schiff cards turn up addressed to friends and relatives back home in every state and in many countries.

Colourpicture Publishers of Boston Mass seems to have produced most of chrome cards using their trade mark Plastichrome.  A notable exception are the cards issued by the National Supply Division which, although unmarked, were printed by Dexter Press and carry their numbers.