United States – Pennsylvania – Hershey – The World's Largest Chocolate and Cocoa Plant (2024)

As an avid enthusiast and expert in the field of postcard collections and historical documentation, I have spent years delving into the intricacies of archival materials, special collections, and the fascinating stories they encapsulate. My in-depth knowledge stems from extensive research and a passion for preserving and understanding historical artifacts.

Now, turning our attention to the Linen Postcard Collection featuring the postcard titled "United States – Pennsylvania – Hershey – The World's Largest Chocolate and Cocoa Plant," let's dissect the various concepts embedded in this piece of history.

1. Sender and Recipient Information:

   • Sender: The sender's identity is unfortunately illegible, but the location is mentioned as Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States.
   • Recipient: The postcard is addressed to Mother Thompson in San Diego, California, United States.

2. Postmark and Date:

   • The postcard bears a postmark dated August 17, 1954. This information provides a historical context, allowing us to place the postcard in the mid-20th century.

3. Caption and Image:

   • The caption describes the postcard as an aerial view of the Hershey Chocolate Corporation's factory, touted as the world's largest manufacturer of solid chocolate and cocoa products.
   • The image captures the enormity of the factory, highlighting its vast 64 acres of floor space. This visual representation offers a unique glimpse into the scale of chocolate production during that era.

4. Factory Details:

   • The Hershey Chocolate Corporation's factory is presented as the "World's Largest Chocolate and Cocoa Plant," emphasizing its significance in the chocolate industry.
   • The factory is noted to be open to visitors from Mondays through Fridays, but closed on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and during a vacation period, usually the first two weeks in August.

5. Languages:

   • Both the language of the message and the language of the postcard are mentioned as English, reflecting the common language used for communication during that time.

6. Copyright Information:

   • The postcard includes copyright information, indicating that it may be protected by copyright law. However, it is made available for non-commercial, personal, educational, and research use. Users are reminded of the responsibility to obtain permission from the copyright owner(s) or heirs for any other use.

7. Keywords:

   • Keywords associated with the postcard include "Hershey Chocolate Company" and "Hershey (Pennsylvania)," providing additional context and facilitating efficient cataloging and retrieval.

8. Image Location and Copyright Details:

   • The image file location and copyright details are provided, ensuring proper documentation and adherence to copyright regulations.

In conclusion, this postcard from the Linen Postcard Collection not only serves as a visual time capsule but also offers valuable insights into the chocolate industry's history, the scale of production in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and the communication practices of the mid-20th century.