Borowitz Crime Ephemera: Prison Postcards collection

Finding Aid

Author: Dyani Scheuerman, April 14, 2003; Revised September 2005; Last Updated: July 2020
Revisions: Updated by Haley Antell, October 2021
Origination: Borowitz, Albert, 1930- , and Borowitz, Helen Osterman, 1929 -
Inclusive Dates: 1900-1980s
Extent: .33 cubic feet (1 postcard box)
Physical Location: 11th floor

Scope and Content: This collection consists of postcards from prisons around the world. Most of the postcards are printed in color and are undated.

Arrangement: Cards are arranged alphabetically by US state, then by country.

Acquisition Information: This material was donated to Kent State University by Albert and Helen Borowitz.

Related Material: See also the Crime-related Postcards collection.

Box 1
Folder -- contents

1. Postcard: Alabama: Kilby Prison, Montgomery, undated
   Publisher: E. C. Kropp Co.
2. Postcard: Alabama: Kilby Prison, Montgomery, 1937
   Publisher: Curteich-Chicago
3. Postcard: Arizona: Old Territorial Prison, Yuma, 1942
   Publisher: Curteich-Chicago
4. Postcard: California: Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay, 1936
   Publisher: Stanley A. Piltz
5. Postcard: California: Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay, 1988
   Photographer: Glaser, Ken Jr.
   Publisher: Smith Novelty Co.
6. Postcard: California: Folsom State Prison, Folsom, undated
7. Postcard: California: State Prison, San Quentin, Recreation Field, 1967
   Publisher: Natural Color by Mike Roberts
8. Postcard: California: State Prison, San Quentin, undated
   Scope and Content:  Caption: "Beautiful California - San Quentin as seen from Mr. Tamalpais."
   Publisher: Pacific Novelty Company
9. Postcard: California: State Prison, San Quentin, Dining Room, undated
   Publisher: National Color Press
10. Postcard: Colorado: Huerfano County Court House and Jail, Walsenburg, undated
11. Postcard: Colorado: State Penitentiary, Canon City, 1929
    Scope and Content: Inscription: Mutiny at Colo. State Penitentiary, Oct. 3, 1929
12. Postcard: Colorado: State Penitentiary, Canon City, 1954
13. Postcard: Connecticut: Newgate Prison, East Granby, Exterior, undated
    Publisher: The Springfield News Company
14. Postcard: Connecticut: Newgate Prison, East Granby, Interior, undated
15. Postcard: Connecticut: State Prison, Wetherfield, 1906
    Publisher: The Chapin News Company
16. Postcard: Delaware: Kent County Jail, Dover, undated
    Scope and Content: Tichnor Quality Views
    Scope and Content: Caption: "Original Whipping Post and Kent County Jail, Dover, Delaware."
17. Postcard: Florida: Old Jail, St. Augustine, undated
    Publisher: Florida Souvenir Co.
18. Postcard: Georgia: Federal Prison, Atlanta, 1935
    Publisher: C. T. American Art Colored
19. Postcard: Georgia: Federal Prison, Atlanta, 1935
    Publisher: Curteich-Chicago
20. Postcard: Idaho: State Penitentiary, Boise, undated
    Publisher: Edward H. Mitchell
21. Postcard: Illinois: Joliet State Penitentiary, Joliet, 1905
    Publisher: Curteich-Chicago
22. Postcard: Illinois: Illinois State Penetentiary at Stateville, Joliet, 1952; undated
    Scope and Content: Two copies. One copy is postmarked 1952, the other is undated.
    Publisher: Curteich-Chicago
23. Postcard: Illinois: Illinois State Penetentiary, Joliet, undated
    Scope and Content: Caption: "Solitary Corridor, Illinois State Penetentiary, Joliet, Ill."
    Publisher: V. O. Hammon Publishing Co.
24. Postcard: Illinois: Illinois State Penetentiary, Joliet, undated
    Scope and Content: Caption: "Prisoners Marching."
    Publisher: V. O. Hammon Publishing Co.
25. Postcard: Illinois: Old Jail, Carthage, undated
    Scope and Content: Caption: "Old Mormon Jail, Carthage, Illinois. The second story window is where Joseph Smith, the Founder of Mormonism was shot."
    Publisher: C. U. William
26. Postcard: Illinois: Old Jail, Carthage, undated
    Scope and Content: Inscription: "Old Jail, Carthage, Ill. Where Joseph and Hyram Smith (the Mormon Prophets) were shot June 24, 1844."
27. Postcard: Illinois: State Reformatory, Pontiac, 1908
    Publisher: F. Bolander
28. Postcard: Illinois: Williamson County Jail, Marion, undated
    Publisher: Artvue Post Card Co.
29. Postcard: Indiana: Brown County Log Jail, Nashville, 1930
    Publisher: Auburn Greeting Card Co.
30. Postcard: Indiana: County Jail, Marion, 1909
    Publisher: S. H. Knox & Co.
31. Postcard: Indiana: Howard County Jail, Kokomo, undated
    Publisher: S. H. Knox & Co.
32. Postcard: Indiana: Indiana Prison, Michigan City, 1911
    Publisher: Souvenir Post Card Mfg. Co.
33. Postcard: Indiana: Indiana Reformatory, Jeffersonville, undated
34. Postcard: Indiana: La Porte County Jail, La Porte, undated
    Publisher: Geo. Leusch, Michigan City, Ind.
35. Postcard: Indiana: Marshall County Jail and Court House, Plymouth, undated
    Publisher: H. E. Fuller
36. Postcard: Indiana: Sheriff's Residence and County Jail, Columbia City, 1950
37. Postcard: Indiana: United States Penitentiary, Terre Haute, undated
    Scope and Content: Caption: "Airview, United States Penetentiary, Terre Haute, Ind."
    Photographer: Thiede, Ben
    Publisher: Curteich-Chicago
38. Postcard: Iowa: County Jail, Muscatine, undated
39. Postcard: Iowa: Lee County Court House, Jail, and Sheriff's Resience, Fort Madison, 1906
40. Postcard: Iowa: State Penitentiary, Fort Madison, 1905
    Scope and Content: Caption: "Warden's residence and entrance to State Penetentiary, Fort Madison, Iowa."
41. Postcard: Iowa: State Penitentiary Exterior, Fort Madison, undated
    Acquisition Note: Donated by Mary Widmer, 2005
42. Postcard: Iowa: State Penitentiary Interior, Fort Madison, undated
43. Postcard: Kansas: Federal Prison, Leavenworth, 1912
    Publisher: A. F. Wood, Leavenworth, Kansas.
44. Postcard: Kansas: Federal Prison Dining Hall, Leavenworth, 1916
    Publisher: A. F. Wood, Leavenworth, Kansas.
45. Postcard: Kansas: State Prison, Lansing, 1909
    Publisher: The South West News Company
46. Postcard: Kansas: State Prison, Lansing, 1912
47. Postcard: Kansas: State Prison, Lansing, undated
    Publisher: Webb-Freyschlog Merc. Co.
48. Postcard: Kansas: State Prison, Lansing, undated
    Publisher: Souvenir Post Card Co.
49. Postcard: Kansas: State Reformatory, Hutchinson, undated
    Publisher: S. H. Kress & Co.
50. Postcard: Kentucky: City Work Home, Louisville, 1900s
51. Postcard: Kentucky: Federal Correctional Institution, Ashland, 1941
    Publisher: Curteich-Chicago
52. Postcard: Kentucky: State Prison, Frankfort, 1907
    Publisher: Souvenir Post Card Co.
53. Postcard: Louisiana: Cabildo, New Orleans, undated
    Publisher: E. C. Kropp Co.
54. Postcard: Maine: Knox County Court House and Jail, Rockland, 1909
    Publisher: Mason Bros. & Co.
55. Postcard: Maine: Old Jail, York, undated
    Publisher: Hugh C. Leighton Co.
56. Postcard: Maine: Penobscot County Court House and Jail, Bangor, 1914
57. Postcard: Maine: State Prison, Thomaston, undated
    Publisher: Hugh C. Leighton Co.
58. Postcard: Maryland: City Jail, Baltimore, 1912
    Publisher: Rinn Publ. Co.
59. Postcard: Massachusetts: Berkshire County Jail, Pittsfield, 1913
    Publisher: Tichnor Brothers Inc.
60. Postcard: Massachusetts: Berkshire County Jail, Pittsfield, undated
61. Postcard: Massachusetts: County Jail, Fitchburg, 1906
    Publisher: D. Chas O'Connor
62. Postcard: Massachusetts: House of Correction, New Bedford, undated
63. Postcard: Massachusetts: Lawrence Jail, Lawrence, 1910
    Publisher: N. E. Paper & Stat'y Co.
64. Postcard: Massachusetts: Lowell Jail, Lowell, 1909
65. Postcard: Massachusetts: Police Headquarters, Charles River Reservation, 1910
66. Postcard: Massachusetts: Town Hall, Boston, 1907
    Scope and Content: Caption: "Old Cells, Town Hall, Boston."
67. Postcard: Michigan: County Jail and Sheriff's Residence, Jackson, undated
68. Postcard: Michigan: Court House and Jail, Hastings, undated
    Publisher: Will P. Canaan Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.
69. Postcard: Michigan: Court House and Jail, Traverse City, undated
70. Postcard: Michigan: Jackson County Jail, Jackson, undated
    Scope and Content: Hugh C. Leighton Co.
71. Postcard: Michigan: Jail, Big Rapids, 1908
    Publisher: Morris & Crane
72. Postcard: Michigan: Marquette Prison, Marquette, undated
    Publisher: E. C. Kropp Co.
73. Postcard: Michigan: State Prison, N. E. Guard House, Jackson, undated
74. Postcard: Michigan: State Prison, Dining Room, Jackson, 1909
    Publisher: Hugh C. Leighton Co.
75. Postcard: Michigan: State Prison, Cell Blocks, Jackson, undated
    Scope and Content: Georgopoolos & Demos, Jackson, Mich.
76. Postcard: Michigan: State Prison, Dining Room, Jackson, 1912
    Publisher: S. H. Knox & Co.
77. Postcard: Michigan: State Reformatory, Ionia, undated
    Publisher: The Rotograph Co.
78. Postcard: Michigan: State Reformatory, Ionia, undated
    Publisher: Will P. Canaan Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.
79. Postcard: Minnesota: St. Cloud State Reformatory, St. Cloud, 1917
80. Postcard: Minnesota: State Prison, Stillwater, undated
    Publisher: E. C. Kropp Co.
81. Postcard: Minnesota: State Prison, Stillwater, undated
82. Postcard: Minnesota: State Prison, Stillwater, 1909
    Publisher: W. C. Heilbron
83. Postcard: Minnesota: State Prison, Main Prison Gate, Stillwater, undated
84. Postcard: Minnesota: State Prison, Stillwater, undated
    Publisher: E. C. Kropp Co.
85. Postcard: Missouri: Old Jail, St. Louis
86. Postcard: Missouri: State Penitentiary, Jefferson City
87. Postcard: Montanta: Montana State Prison, Deer Lodge
88. Postcard: Nebraska: State Penitentiary, Lincoln
89. Postcard: Nevada: State Prison, Carson City
    Scope and Content: This is a panoramic view of the exterior of the prison on a double postcard. 
90. Postcard: New Hampshire: Jail, Keene
91. Postcard: New Hampshire: Piscataque River and Naval Prison, Portsmouth
92. Postcard: New Hampshire: State Prison, Concord
93. Postcard: New Jersey: Burlington County Prison, Mount Holly
94. Postcard: New Jersey: State Prison, Rahway
95. Postcard: New Jersey: State Prison, Trenton
96. Postcard: New Mexico: Territory Penitentiary, Santa Fe
97. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
98. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
99. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
100. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
101. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
102. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
103. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
104. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
105. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
106. Postcard: New York: Auburn State Prison, Auburn
107. Postcard: New York: "Waiting," Auburn State Prison
108. Postcard: New York: Buffalo Jail, Buffalo
109. Postcard: New York: Cattaraugus County Jail and Sheriff's Residence, Little Valley
110. Postcard: New York: City Prison (the Tombs), New York City
111. Postcard: New York: Clinton Prison, Dannemora
112. Postcard: New York: Clinton Prison, Dannemora
113. Postcard: New York: Fulton County Jail, Johnston
114. Postcard: New York: Herkimer County Jail, Herkimer
115. Postcard: New York: Niagara County Jail, Lockport
116. Postcard: New York: Onondaga County Penitentiary, Syracuse
117. Postcard: New York: Ontario County Jail, Canandaigua
118. Postcard: New York: Rebel Prison, Elmira
119. Postcard: New York: Sheriff's Residence and Jail, Mayville
120. Postcard: New York: Sing Sing Prison, Ossining
121. Postcard: New York: Sing Sing Prison, Ossining
122. Postcard: New York: Sing Sing Prison, Ossining
123. Postcard: New York: Sing Sing Prison, Ossining
124. Postcard: New York: Electric Chair, Sing Sing
125. Postcard: New York: State Reformatory, Elmira
126. Postcard: New York: State Reformatory, Elmira
127. Postcard: New York: State Reformatory, Napanoch
128. Postcard: North Carolina: State Penitentiary, Raleigh
129. Postcard: North Dakota: State Penitentiary, Bismarck
130. Postcard: North Dakota: State Reform School, Mandan
131. Postcard: Ohio: Ashtabula County Jail and Sheriff's Residence, Jefferson
132. Postcard: Ohio: Belmont County Jail, St. Clairsville
133. Postcard: Ohio: City Hall and Jail, Lorain
134. Postcard: Ohio: County Jail, Akron
135. Postcard: Ohio: County Jail, Toledo
136. Postcard: Ohio: County Jail, West Union
137. Postcard: Ohio: Court House and County Jail, Dayton
138. Postcard: Ohio: Court House and Jail, Ravenna
139. Postcard: Ohio: Hardin County Jail, Kenton
140. Postcard: Ohio: Jail, Newark
141. Postcard: Ohio: Lorain County Jail, Elyria
142. Postcard: Ohio: Mercer County Jail, Celina
143. Postcard: Ohio: Police Station, Akron
144. Postcard: Ohio: Reformatory for Women, Marysville
145. Postcard: Ohio: Reformatory for Women, Marysville
146. Postcard: Ohio: Reformatory for Women, Marysville
147. Postcard: Ohio: Reformatory for Women, Marysville
148. Postcard: Ohio: Sandusky County Jail, Fremont
149. Postcard: Ohio: Stark County Work House, Canton
150. Postcard: Ohio: Stark County Work House, Canton
151. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
152. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
153. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
154. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
155. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
156. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
157. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
158. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
159. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
160. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
161. Postcard: Ohio: State Penitentiary, Columbus
162. Postcard: Ohio: State Reformatory, Mansfield
163. Postcard: Ohio: State Reformatory, Mansfield
164. Postcard: Ohio: State Reformatory, Mansfield
165. Postcard: Ohio: State Reformatory, Mansfield
166. Postcard: Ohio: State Reformatory, Mansfield
167. Postcard: Ohio: State Reformatory, Mansfield
168. Postcard: Ohio: Warrensville Farm Interior Court, Cleveland
169. Postcard: Ohio: Wood County Jail, Bowling Green
170. Postcard: Ohio: Wyandot County Jail, Upper Sandusky
171. Postcard: Oklahoma: County Court House and Jail, Oklahoma City
172. Postcard: Oklahoma: Court House and Jail, Ardmore
173. Postcard: Oklahoma: State Penitentiary, McAlester
174. Postcard: Oregon: State Penitentiary, Salem
175. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Allegheny County Jail and Court House, Pittsburgh
176. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Bedford County Jail, Bedford
177. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Berks County Jail, Reading
178. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Berks County Prison, Reading
179. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Berks County Prison, Reading
180. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Blair County Jail, Hollidaysburg
181. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Cambria County Jail, Ebensburg
182. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Carlisle Jail, Carlisle
183. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Clearfield County Jail, Clearfield
184. Postcard: Pennsylvania: County Jail, Towanda
185. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Delaware County Jail, Media
186. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Fayette County Jail, Uniontown
187. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Huntington County Jail, Huntington
188. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Jail, Norristown
189. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Lackawanna County Jail, Scranton
190. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Lancaster County Prison, Lancaster
191. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Lehigh County Jail, Allentown
192. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Luzerne County Prison, Wilkes Barre
193. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Northumberland County Jail, Sunbury
194. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Rockview Penitentiary, Rockview
195. Postcard: Pennsylvania: Susquehanna County Jail, Montrose
196. Postcard: Rhode Island: State Prison and County Jail, Howard
197. Postcard: South Carolina: Jail, Chesterfield
198. Postcard: South Dakota: State Penitentiary, Sioux Falls
199. Postcard: South Dakota: State Penitentiary, Sioux Falls
200. Postcard: Tennessee: State Penitentiary, Nashville
201. Postcard: Texas: Court House and Jail, Waco
202. Postcard: Texas: Federal Prison, La Tuna
203. Postcard: Texas: Federal Prison, La Tuna
204. Postcard: Texas: State Prison, Huntsville
205. Postcard: Utah: State Prison, Salt Lake City
206. Postcard: Utah: State Prison, Salt Lake City
207. Postcard: Vermont: New Caledonia County Jail, St. Johnsbury
208. Postcard: Vermont: State Prison, Windsor
209. Postcard: Virginia: Jail, Princess Anne County
210. Postcard: Virginia: Libby Prison, Richmond
211. Postcard: Virginia: Libby Prison, Richmond
212. Postcard: Virginia: Libby Prison, Richmond
213. Postcard: Virginia: Libby Prison, Richmond
214. Postcard: Virginia: Libby Prison, Richmond
215. Postcard: Virginia: Libby Prison, Richmond
216. Postcard: Virginia: Libby Prison, Richmond
217. Postcard: Virginia: Libby Prison, Richmond
218. Postcard: Virginia: Marine Corps Prison, Quantico
219. Postcard: Virginia: Old Debtor's Prison, Gloucester
220. Postcard: Virginia: Public Gaol, Williamsburg
221. Postcard: Virginia: Public Gaol, Williamsburg
222. Postcard: Virginia: State Penitentiary, Richmond
223. Postcard: Washington: State Penitentiary, Walla Walla
224. Postcard: West Virginia: Jail, Charleston
225. Postcard: West Virginia: Jail, Charleston
226. Postcard: West Virginia: State Penitentiary, Moundsville
227. Postcard: West Virginia: State Penitentiary, Moundsville
228. Postcard: West Virginia: State Penitentiary, Moundsville
229. Postcard: Wisconsin: Armory, Police Station, and County Jail, Milwaukee
230. Postcard: Wisconsin: State Prison, Waupun
231. Postcard: Wisconsin: State Prison, Waupun
232. Postcard: Wisconsin: State Prison, Waupun
233. Postcard: Wisconsin: State Reformatory, Green Bay
234. Postcard: Wyoming: State Penitentiary, Rawlins
235. Postcard: Canada: Dominion Penitentiary, Kingston, Ontario
236. Postcard: China: Death cages
237. Postcard: France: Tour des Prisonniers, Autun
238. Postcard: France: "Le Masque de Fer"
239. Postcard: Germany: Carcer, Heidelberg
240. Postcard: Iran: Ispahan, prison of Shah Abbasse, Teheran
241. Postcard: Mexico: Jail, Ciudad Juarez
242. Postcard: Mexico: Jail, Ciudad Juarez
243. Postcard: Mexico: San Juan de Ulua, Veracruz
244. Postcard: United Kingdom: Convict ship Success
245. Postcard: United Kingdom: Dartmoor Prison, Princetown, Devonshire
246. Postcard: United Kingdom: Dartmoor Prison, Princetown, Devonshire
247. Postcard: United Kingdom: Dartmoor Prison, Princetown, Devonshire
248. United Kingdom: door, Newgate Prison, London
249. Postcard: United Kingdom: Old House of Confinement, Alfreton, Derbyshire
250. Postcard: United Kingdom: Old Prison, Bodmin, Wales
251. Postcard: United Kingdom: Old Prison, Bodmin, Wales
252. Postcard: United Kingdom: Old Village Lock-up, Shrewton
253. Postcard: United Kingdom: Prison, Portland
254. Postcard: United Kingdom: Prison, Wakefield