The Venice of Texas — a San Antonio River Linen Postcard
A second piece of San Antonio context, this one for the river that runs through everything the company’s home city sold itself on. The card reads “30 — One of the Many Attractive Scenes along the San Antonio River,” a colorized linen view down a planted bend of the river, stone walkways curving along both banks, an arched footbridge, and a tile-roofed river house tucked into the trees. It is the River Walk in its early, freshly-landscaped form — the WPA-era beautification that turned a flood-control channel into the city’s signature attraction.
The publisher line on the back reads Weiner News Company, San Antonio, and the card is a genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art-Colortone” linen print (serial 1B-H308), placing it in the 1930s–40s linen era. The reverse copy leans all the way into the pitch:
“THE VENICE OF TEXAS.” Beautification of the San Antonio River has created a unique “River Street” through the heart of the business district which overlooks the outdoor playground.
— under the same house slogan the skyline card carries, “San Antonio, Home of the Alamo, Gulf Breezes and Sunshine.”
The back — unused
This one was never mailed — a clean, unused divided back in excellent condition. Where the skyline card earns its keep through a Summerville Photo credit and a 1948 postmark, this one is straightforwardly place context: the River Walk and downtown “business district” the card advertises are the same blocks where Hoffmann-Hayman roasted, packed, and sold coffee. It joins the collection as a period view of the city H&H spent six decades branding.
Accession and references
- Accession: HH-EPHEMERA-2026-0002
- Receipt: on file
