1
Company Issues
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2
Lockheed 10 Electra in Flight
The image is probably a stock photo they acquired from Lockheed to make this postcard. So far the only example I've seen.
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3
Lockheed 10 Electra in Flight
This card was issued out of their Seattle, Washington office. The AZO 4 squares stamp box dates the card to the 1926-1939 period.
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4
Series of four rare postcards.
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5
1st Tinted Series Close Up - Blue
The earliest of the airline issued color tinted litho cards are all rare. I know of 4 different cards in the series.
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6
1st Tinted Series Flying Right - Green
All of the cards in this series feature the Lockheed 10 Electra.
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7
1st Tinted Series Typical Back
The backs in the series have the same color printing as the front of the card.
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8
Another Series of four rare postcards.
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9
Sky Zephyr Series Close Up
The Sky Zephyr series, I believe, is another 4 card series. All the cards seen are black & white lithos.
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10
Sky Zephyr Series Loading Package
The cards in this series are very scarce though probably not as rare as the first tinted series.
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11
Sky Zephyr Series Typical Back
This is a typical back for the Sky Zephyr series.
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12
Not as rare as the first two series but still scarce postcards.
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13
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 on Tarmac - Black
All of the cards in this series feature the DC-3.
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14
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 on Tarmac - Blue
Blue tint.
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15
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 on Tarmac - Green
Green tint.
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16
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 Cockpit - Black
Black and White litho.
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17
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 Cockpit - Blue
Blue tint.
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18
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 Cockpit - Green
Green tint.
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19
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 Cockpit - Yellow
Appears to be Black & White litho on slightly yellow card stock.
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20
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 Flying - Black
Standard Black & White litho.
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21
2nd Tinted Series DC-3 Flying - Blue
Blue tint.
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22
2nd Tinted Series Lakes and Streams - Green
So far only seen in Green tint.
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23
2nd Tinted Series Old Cow Hand - Green
So far only seen in green tint.
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24
2nd Tinted Series Typical Back
LIke the first tinted series the backs match the color used on the front of the cards. I have three of these cards postmarked 1941.
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25
Two types. Dull and Glossy surfaces on front of cards.
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26
Northwest Airlines DC-3
Black & White Litho postcard with a dull surface. Northwest DC-3 NC 21715.
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Northwest Airlines DC-3
This card has "Place 1 Cent Stamp Here" inside the stamp box on back.
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28
Northwest Airlines DC-3
B&W Litho postcard with a glossy surface.
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29
Northwest Airlines DC-3
B&W Litho postcard with a glossy surface. Northwest DC-3 NC 21715.
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30
Northwest Airlines DC-3
B&W Litho postcard with a glossy surface. Great view of mail being loaded on a Northwest DC-3.
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31
Northwest Airlines DC-3
B&W Litho postcard with a glossy surface. Great view of a Stewardess and passengers in a Northwest DC-3.
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32
Northwest Airlines DC-3
Typical back for the four glossy surface postcards. Inside the stamp box is: "Please address and return to stewardess who will stamp and mail card for you."
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33
All of the Linen postcards are grouped here.
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34
Pioneers Air Transportation
Northwest Airlines 15th Anniversary. The first Linen postcard for the airline.
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35
Pioneers Air Transportation
A quality Linen postcard made by Curteich with their No. 1B-H1327 indicating first printing in 1941.
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36
The Horse adds Glamour to Life on the Ranches...
Fly Northwest Airlines to the Heart of the Real Dude Ranch Country. Scarce postcard.
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37
The Horse adds Glamour to Life on the Ranches...
Second Linen postcard made by Curteich for the airline. No. 1B-H1797 first made in 1941.
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38
Northwest Airliner Boarding Passengers
Douglas DC-3 Getting ready for flight.
No. 3618 on back.
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39
Northwest Airliner with Stewardess and Passengers
Douglas DC-3 in flight with passengers.
No. 3619 on back.
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40
Northwest Airliner in the Air
Douglas DC-3 after take off.
No number.
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41
In the Dude Ranch Country
Four people out for a ride at a Dude Ranch.
No. 3632 on back.
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42
In the Dude Ranch Country
Cowhand roping a horse. Spectators watching.
No. 3633 on back.
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43
Typical back for the previous five cards.
A great little group of 5 cards. All with the Northwest Airlines round logo.
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44
The first group of many Chrome postcards issued by Northwest Airlines.
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45
Northwest Airlines - Top Flight
Northwest Airlines DC-3 NC 25609. Notice the Buy War Bonds ad aft of the logo!
PF. 16-A
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46
Northwest Passsage - Coast to coast
Northwest Airlines DC-3. Also with the Buy War Bonds ad on the plane.
PF. 16-B
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47
Top Flight . . . coast-to-coast
Close-up of Northwest Airlines DC-3 in flight.
PF. 16-C
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48
Northwest Passage - Above the Clouds
Northwest Airlines Douglas DC-4. Postmark seen 1946.
PF. 16-D
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49
Northwest Passage - Top Flight
Northwest Airlines Douglas DC-4 above the clouds.
PF. 16-E
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50
80 Passenger Being Stratocruiser
Northwest Airlines Stratocruiser NC 7472.
PF. 16-F
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51
Lower Deck Club Lounge
Aboard a Northwest Airlines Stratocruiser.
PF. 16-G
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52
Coast-to Coast... Alaska... the Orient
Artist drawn Globe and Route Map for Northwest Orient Airlines.
PF. 16-H
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53
Typical back for the previous eight cards.
These cards come with and without the number on the back of the card.
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54
Modern Color Chrome Postcards
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55
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Russian Lake and Russian River also shown.
PF 16-J
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56
Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Land of the Midnight Sun.
PF 16-K
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57
Boeing Stratocruiser
Another Northwest postcard of their Stratocruiser. No. NC 74601.
PF 16-L
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58
Street Scene in Shanghai, China
Shanghai is the most populous city in China.
PF 16-M
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59
The Manila Hotel, Philippines
Manila, known as the Pearl of the Orient.
PF 16-N
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60
Winter Palace Grounds, Peiping, China
Peiping is now known as Beijing the capital of China.
PF 16-O
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61
The Heian Shrine, Kyoto, Japan
This Shrine is an exact replica of the original Imperial palace built in 794 A.D.
PF 16-P
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62
Mt. Fuji from Hakone Lake, Japan
The full name of the mountain is Mt. Fujiyama.
PF 16-Q
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63
Typical back for the previous eight cards
This is probably the most common back for this series. See the next two images for other backs.
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64
Second type back for the Series
I have an example of the Kenai Peninsula. Alaska card with this back. Not sure if all the cards also come with this back.
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65
Third type back for the Series
I also have an example of the Kenai Peninsula. Alaska card with this back. Not sure if all the cards also come with this back.
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66
This series uses the same backs as the previous series but has a different numbering system.
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67
Northwet Airlines Stratocruiser
Coast to Coast...Hawaii...Alaska...Orient
PF 16-A-49
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68
Northwest Airlines Stratocruiser
Finest...Fastest
PF 16-A-50
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69
Northwest Orient Airlines Stratocruisers
Finest... Fastest
PF 16-A-53
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70
Northwest Airlines Martin 2-0-2's
World's Most Modern 2-Engine Airliner. NC 93050.
PF 16-B-49
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71
Northwest Airlines Martin Luxury Liners-Coast to Coast
Coast to Coast. Martin 2-0-2. N 93051.
PF 16-B-50
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72
Waikiki Beach
Overnight via Northwest Stratocruisers to Hawaii
PF 16-C-50
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73
Mt. Fuji, Japan
Northwest Airlines "Orient Express"
PF 16-E-51
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Mt. Fuji, Japan
Northwest Orient Airlines "Orient Express"
PF-16-E-53
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75
Manila, Philippines
On the route of Northwest Airlines "Orient Express"
PF 16-F-52
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76
Hong Kong Harbor
Northwest Airlines "Orient Express"
PF-16-G-52
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77
Daibutsu (Great Budda)
"Orient Express"
PF-16-H-52
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78
Japan
Via Northwest Airlines "Orient Express"
PF 16-I-52
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79
Hong Kong
Via Northest Orient Airlines "Orient Express"
PF 16-J-53
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80
New York in Japanese
The text on the front and back is in Japanese. Only one like this I've seen but there must be others.
PF 16-K-52
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81
New York "Metropolitan Express"
The same as the previous card but with text in English and a different number.
PF 16-K-53
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82
Hawaii
Via Northwest Airlines "Hawaiian Express"
PF-16-L-52
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83
Pacific Northwest Vacationland
Via Northwst Airlines "Pacific Coast Express"
PF-16-M-53
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84
Pacific Northwest Vacationland
Via Northwest Orient Airlines "Pacific Coast Express"
PF 16-M-53
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85
Fly to the World's Finest Fishing
Via Northwest Airlines "Alaska Express".
No description on the back of the card.
PF 16-N-53 (a)
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86
Fly to the World's Finest Fishing
Via Northwest Airlines "Alaska Express". Eleven lines of text on the back.
PF 16-N-53 (b)
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87
Interior of Northwest Orient Airlines DC-6B's
Flight is booked up! Stewardess in back.
PF-16-O-54
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88
Pacific Northwest - Vacation Wonderland
Northewest Orient Airlines
PF 16-P-55
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89
Skyline of Seattle
Northwest Orient Airlines
PF 16-R-55
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90
New York City
Northwest Orient Airlines
PF 16-S-55
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91
Hawaii - Land of Sunshire and Flowers
Northwest Orient Airlines
PF 16-T-55
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92
Surfing at Waikiki
Northwest Orient Airlines
PF 16-U-55
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93
Lockheed Turbo Constellation
AS flown by Northest Orient Airlines, N5172V.
PF 16-V-55
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94
Anchorage, Alaska
Northwest Orient Airlines
PF 16-W-55
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95
Hawaii - Playground of the Pacific
Northwest Orient Airlines
PF 16-Y-58
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96
Famous Drum Bridge- Japan
Northwest Orient Airlines
PF 16-Z-58
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97
NWA in Oval Logo
Some early in the series had this back.
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98
2nd Type Back for the Series
Some cards come with more than one back.
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99
3rd Type back for the Series
Many of the cards had this back.
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100
Another Chrome Series with a different numbering system.
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101
Japan, the land of picturesque gardens
Northwest Orient Airlines
TRAD 335
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102
New York City at Night
Northwest Orient Airlines
TRAD 337
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103
Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska
Northwest Orient Airlines
TRAD 338 (Rev. 4-61)
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104
Northwest Orient Airliner Imperial Service DC-7C
Douglas DC-7C N204.
TRAD 342
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105
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Northwest Orient Airllines
TRAD 389
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106
The Pacific Northwest
Northwest Orient Airlines
TRAD 390
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107
Tiger Balm Gardens, Hong Kong
Northwest Orient Airlines
TRAD 392
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108
Relaxing in Hawaii
Northwest Orient Airlines
TRAD 393
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109
Alaska
Northwest Orient Airlines
TRAD 396
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110
Typical Back for Most of the TRAD series
Next card in the series has a different back.
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111
Super-Fast 720B Fan-Jet
Northwest Orient Airlines, N721US.
TRAD 445
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112
Super-Fast 720B Fan-Jet
New Back Type starting with this card.
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113
Pacific Northwest
Northwest Orient Airlines. New number system with same back as the last card.
241-TRAD-454
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114
Pacific Northwest
Same back as the Boeing 720B card.
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115
Some Great Cards Here
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116
Illinois. Chicago Midway Airport
Northwest Stratocruiser on the right.
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117
Illinois. Chicago Midway Airport
A Detone chrome postcard by Dexter Press. No. 50098
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118
Minnesota. Minneapolis - St. Paul Metropolitan Airport
Wold-Chamberlain Field. Three Northwest Airlines aircraft.
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119
Minnesota. Minneapolis - St. Paul Metropolitan Airport
A Plastichrome postcard by Colourpicture Publishers. No. P17019
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120
Minnesota. Minneapolis - St. Paul Metropolitan Airport
Wold-Chamberlain Field. Two Boeing Stratocruisers in view.
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121
Minnesota. Minneapolis - St. Paul Metropolitan Airport
A Curteichcolor chrome postcard. No. 5C-K2869 indicating being first printed in 1955.
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122
Minnesota. Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport
A Northwest Airlines DC-6 to right of Terminal.
Home port of Northwest Airlines.
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123
Minnesota. Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport
A dextrine chrome postcard by Dexter Press No. 58926.
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124
Minnesota. Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport
Northwest Airlines DC-7C in view.
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125
Minnesota. Minneapolis - St. Paul International Airport
A Chrome postcard by Dexter Press No. E-15.
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126
Montana. Billings Airport
Northwest DC-3 NC33329. Western DC-3 behind. Card No. 160-RWG.
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127
Montana. Billings Airport
Real Photo postcard with an EKC Stamp Box on back.
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128
Montana. Billings Airport Aerial View
Two Northwest DC-3's and one from Western. Card No. 161-RWG.
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129
Montana. Billings Airport Aerial View
Real Photo postcard mailed at the airport Oct. 26. 1953.
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130
Montana. Great Falls International Airport
Northwest DC-6 on tarmac in front of Terminal.
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131
Montana. Great Falls International Airport
A Plastichrome postcard by Colourpicture Publishers. No. P53171
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132
Washington. Seattle
Northwest DC-3 in front of terminal at Boeing Field.
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133
Washington. Seattle
Real Photo postcard by Ellis No. 1000. Ellis did a lot of quality postcards around the Seattle area. Kodak stamp box on back.
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134
Washington. Seattle-Tacoma
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Huge crowd of people that day!
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135
Washington. Seattle-Tacoma
Real Photo postcard printed by Smith's Scenic Views of Tacoma, Washington. No. A-112 on front.
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136
Washington. Seattle - Tacoma International Airport
A Northwest Constellation in front of Terminal.
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137
Washington. Seattle - Tacoma International Airport
Printer not identified except for K logo. No. 18659.
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138
Washington. Spokane Municipal Airport
Northwest DC-3 in front of the terminal building.
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139
Washington. Spokane Municipal Airport
Real Photo postcard by Leo's Studio with No. 62-886 on front. Kodak stamp box on back.
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140
Wisconsin. Milwaukee
Northwest Airlines Stratocruiser "Detroit" at Mitchell Field. Card No. F-113.
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141
Wisconsin. Milwaukee
Real Photo postcard by L. L. Cook Co. of Milwaukee. EKC stamp box on back.
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142
Wisconsin. Milwaukee
General Mitchell Field Terminal. Real Photo postcard showing the NW DC-4 N95408.
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143
Wisconsin. Milwaukee
Real Photo postcard by the L. L. Cook Co. of Milwaukee. Kodak stamp box on back.
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144
Wisconsin. Milwaukee
Northwest Airlines DC-4 NC 95406 at Gen. Mitchell Field. Card No. L-1267.
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145
Wisconsin. Milwaukee
Real Photo postcard with a Kodak stamp box on back. Same style text on front as the L. L. Cook cards but not identified as such.
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146
JAPAN. Tokyo International Airport
Great view of Northwest Constellation.
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147
JAPAN. Tokyo International Airport
POST CARD in English on back. Card printed in Japan.
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148
JAPAN. Tokyo International Airport
Night view showing a Northwest Constellation on the left.
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149
JAPAN. Tokyo International Airport
Back of card in English but printed in Japan.
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150
Stewardess serving champagne.
Advertising card for Dry Imperator Champagne.
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151
Stewardess serving champagne.
I'm assuming this was issued by the champagne company after getting the contract with Northwest Airlines.
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152
Northwest Douglas DC-7C
View of aircraft above the clouds.
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153
Northwest Douglas DC-7C
Not sure if this is airline issued or not. Generally if the card says Courtesy of the airline it was for someone else.
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154
Northwest Airlines. HI THERE!
Northwest Airlines Lockheed Electra.
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155
Northest Airlines. HI THERE!
I'm not sure this one was airline issued either.
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156
Non-Stop
A Turbulent History of Northwest Airlines by Jack El-Hai. A must have 291 page reference for Northwest Airlines.
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