
Cliff House souvenir

Click here to view it larger.
I’ve developed a bit of a fascination with images showing people sitting in fake studio cars. And I love photos from San Francisco, where I live. So this one combines both interests. Versions of the Cliff House have sat on that cliff since 1863, serving as a resort and restaurant overlooking the sea. It’s burned down a couple of times, and been extensively remodeled a couple of times, but a version still sits there today. If this photo were taken in the real setting rather than a studio, the car would have been driven out onto the beach. I’ve seen other photos like this, with one version or another of the Cliff House in the background. It’s my assumption that this is a souvenir taken in the Cliff House itself, but I don’t really know. It’s a real photo postcard, and the paper manufacturer’s markings on the back (DOPS) indicate a date range of 1925-1942, which seems about right, given the clothing and the version of the Cliff House depicted. (Note the airplane flying overhead.) I’m particularly intrigued by the chauffeur’s outfit, seemingly leaning into the Western aspect of “Touring California”. Check out those elaborate cuffs he’s wearing. And I’m amused by the sign advertising “Fresh Air” when at least two of them are smoking.
