Vintage Elephant Rock Valley of Fire Linen Postcard — Nevada Near Las Vegas & Hoover Dam — Colourpicture, Boston · c.1938–1947 Burkett Distributing Co. Inc. (Publisher, Las Vegas, NV) • Colourpicture (Printer · Boston, Massachusetts) ✉️ Unused / Unposted — Very Good Condition United States • Linen Era (c.1938–1947) • Nevada / Desert Southwest Americana 🪨 Elephant Rock — Key Features • Valley of Fire — Nevada\'s first state park: Valley of Fire was established as Nevada\'s first state park in 1935. Its ancient Aztec sandstone formations — laid down as sand dunes 150 million years ago — are among the most dramatic desert landscapes in the American West. Elephant Rock is one of the park\'s most recognizable formations: a natural arch shaped by millennia of erosion into an uncanny elephant profile, complete with a massive \"trunk\" arch and \"head\" formation above • Human figure for scale — rare linen-era detail: A small figure in blue overalls stands at the base of the Elephant Rock arch — a compositional device that makes the rock\'s scale immediately visceral. Human-figure scale references in linen-era landscape cards are uncommon and significantly add to the visual interest and collectibility of this card • Colourpicture linen printing at its finest: The Colourpicture Publication linen printing achieves exceptional color saturation — the striped layers of red, orange, ochre, and purple in the Aztec sandstone are rendered with remarkable geological accuracy and visual impact. Colourpicture of Boston, Massachusetts was among the finest linen-era publishers in the United States, a Tichnor-affiliated house whose output rivals Curt Teich in quality • Collector appeal: Ideal for collectors of Valley of Fire and Nevada state park ephemera, desert Southwest Americana, natural arch and rock formation postcards, Las Vegas and Nevada history, Colourpicture linen cards, and geological subject postcards ⚡ Quick Specs SUBJECTElephant Rock — Valley of Fire, Nevada FORMATStandard Linen Postcard — Borderless PUBLISHERBurkett Distributing Co. Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada PRINTERColourpicture Publication, Boston 15, Massachusetts CARD NUMBERK2689 (Colourpicture) / Series No. 71 ERA🖋 Linen (Colourpicture Publication) APPROX. DATECirca 1938–1947 THEMERock Formation / Desert Southwest / Famous Places STATE / LOCATIONNevada — Valley of Fire, near Las Vegas POSTAGE STATUSUnposted / Unused — No writing, no stamp 🪨 Postcard Description A linen-era postcard depicting Elephant Rock in the Valley of Fire, Nevada — published by Burkett Distributing Co. Inc. of Las Vegas and printed by Colourpicture of Boston, Massachusetts. Valley of Fire was established as Nevada\'s first state park in 1935, and Elephant Rock is one of its most iconic Aztec sandstone formations — a natural arch eroded into the unmistakable shape of an elephant profile. Front view: A close-up ground-level view of the Elephant Rock arch formation. The massive sandstone arch dominates the composition — its layered bands of vivid red, orange, ochre, and purple Aztec sandstone rendered in exceptional Colourpicture linen color. The arch\'s \"trunk\" curves down from left to touch a boulder base, while the \"head\" formation with two arch openings rises massively above. A small figure in blue overalls stands on a boulder beneath the arch, arms slightly raised — providing immediate scale that makes the rock\'s true enormity visceral. The surrounding desert floor shows dry grasses and desert scrub. The upper left opens to a wide Nevada sky of deep blue with layered white clouds. Additional red rock formations and outcroppings are visible in the middle distance. Title in italic script at upper left: \"Elephant Rock, Valley of Fire / near Las Vegas and Hoover / (Boulder) Dam / 71.\" Reverse text: \"Nevada has some of the most beautiful and breathtaking scenery in the world. Its natural wonders are fascinating, but the most awesome miracle of all is Man-made Hoover (Boulder) Dam.\" Back layout: Standard divided back with \"POST CARD.\" Publisher credit along left margin: Published by Burkett Distributing Co. Inc., Las Vegas, Nev. Printer imprint along center dividing line: A \"Colourpicture\" Publication, Boston 15, Mass., U.S.A. Stamp box: PLACE ONE CENT STAMP HERE. Card number K2689 at upper right. Collector keywords: Elephant Rock · Valley of Fire · Nevada · Las Vegas · Hoover Dam · Boulder Dam · Desert · Aztec Sandstone · Rock Formation · Natural Arch · Colourpicture · Burkett Distributing · Linen Postcard · 1930s · 1940s · Nevada State Park · Desert Southwest · Western Americana · Geological Formation · Nevada History 🔍 Condition Summary
Condition: Very Good (VG) — conservatively graded - Overall: Good eye appeal; the vivid red and ochre sandstone colors, blue sky, and figure remain clear and well-preserved with strong display presence
- Image Side: Linen color printing intact; light age toning consistent with period — please zoom in on photos for full assessment
- Corners & Edges: Corners show light dulling consistent with age; no major creases or folds observed
- Reverse: Foxing visible on the reverse stock — color and appearance otherwise consistent with age; all text and imprints fully legible; no writing, stamps, or album residue
- Postal Status: Unused / unposted — never mailed, never written on
- Sold As Pictured: Please zoom in on all images — scans are part of the description
Condition Disclaimer: I am not a professional grader. Condition is described using standard postcard collector terminology and represents a conservative visual assessment based on visible characteristics. Grading is subjective — please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the description and best reflect condition. 📅 Dating Notes
Valley of Fire established — hard floor 1935: Valley of Fire was designated Nevada\'s first state park in 1935, establishing that as the earliest possible production date for this card - \"Place One Cent Stamp Here\" — hard ceiling January 1, 1952: The US domestic postcard rate increased from 1 cent to 2 cents on January 1, 1952. The printed 1-cent stamp box on this card\'s reverse confirms it was produced before that date
- \"Hoover (Boulder) Dam\" naming — probable pre-1947 indicator: During the Roosevelt administration (1933–1945) the dam was informally called \"Boulder Dam.\" Congress officially restored the name \"Hoover Dam\" on April 30, 1947. The card\'s use of \"Hoover (Boulder)\" as the primary name with Boulder as the parenthetical suggests production during the ambiguous naming period, most likely pre-1947
- Colourpicture production period: Colourpicture of Boston, Massachusetts was a major linen-era postcard publisher active from the late 1930s through the early 1950s, consistent with the 1938–1947 window
- Estimated production range: Circa 1938–1947 — confirmed within a 14-year window by hard floor (1935 park establishment) and hard ceiling (pre-January 1952 stamp box), with \"Hoover (Boulder)\" naming suggesting pre-1947
📷 Photos
Photos show the actual postcard you will receive - High-resolution 600 dpi scans of both the image side and the reverse are provided
- Please zoom in and review all images carefully before purchase
📦 Packing & Protection
Ships via Standard Envelope with scan tracking and coverage up to $20 - 3-mil polyester sleeve (inert, acid-free) for long-term preservation
Combined Shipping Available $1.15 for the first card — $0.25 for each additional card, up to a combined item total of $20 (the Standard Envelope coverage limit). Add items to your cart, then on a desktop browser select \"Request total\" (not available on mobile). Do not pay immediately — wait for a revised invoice before checking out. 📌 Listing Policy & Returns
The photos for this listing depict the exact postcard being sold - Condition is described conservatively; please review images closely and message with any questions before purchase
- No returns accepted. If your order arrives damaged or there is a shipping issue, please reach out and I will help resolve it
- Any issues will be handled in accordance with policy
Milwaukee Merc Collector-focused handling • Premium protection • Fast shipping care
Related Items:
Vintage Hand Carved Stone Elephant Signed
$16.80
High Quality Blue Quartzite Elephant Crystal Carving, Approx 3.10 in Long
$65.00
Natural Pink Opal Hand Carved Elephant Figurine Healing Crystal Decor Gift 2pcs
$45.27
