The "Peeling Bark" Series

History

The distinctive thing about these cards is that it shows the bark of a tree, peeled back to reveal a campus view underneath. At this time, I know nothing about who published this series. The only clue is in the stamp box; a drawing of a sailboat appears there. The photos themselves are copyrighted by C. M. Nelson in 1906. The two postally-used cards I have in this series are dated 1907.

The Images

All cards are available with both front and back scans, and comments about what is written on the front or back, either by the user or by the publisher, are included below.

Old Arch and Brook

front "OLD ARCH and BROOK, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." "Copyright 1906 by C. M. Nelson" Depicts birch bark peeling back to reveal photo of the arch.

back Undivided back, postmarked Feb 16, 1907 7am in South [Hadley?].

Mary Lyon Chapel

front "MARY LYON CHAPEL, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass" Birch bark peeled back to reveal photo of the building. "Copyright 1906 by C. M. Nelson"

back Unused, undivided back, stamp box.

The Falls at Upper Lake

front "The Falls at Upper Lake, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Bark peels back to reveal view of the falls. Copyright 1906 by C. M. Nelson.

back Undivided back, postmarked Jun [17?], 1907 10am in South Hadley, and Jun 17, 1907 6pm in Salem MA. Addressed to Miss Alice C. Woodbury.

Holyoke and South Hadly [sic] Bridge

front "Holyoke and South Hadly [sic] Bridge Mass. - 660" Bark peels back to reveal view of the bridge.

back Undivided back, stamp box, unused.

The Walk to the Lake

front "The Walk to the Lake, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Bark peels back to reveal view of the bridge. Copyright 1906 by C. M. Nelson. Initials: "F.K." Probably visiting a relative, Lillie Clarke Kneringer x1909.

back Undivided back, stamp box, postmarked in South Hadley, and transit marked May 24, 1907 5:30am in New Haven CT.

The Library

front "The Library, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Bark peels back to reveal view of the library. Copyright 1906 by C. M. Nelson.

back Undivided back, postmarked Jan 10, 1907 in South Hadley.