Day 100: Postcards from The Baldpate Inn

Day 100! A perfect day to make note of and share with a friend! What better way than a postcard? We’ve talked about our artistic marketing and merchandise, but one of our most popular keepsakes are Baldpate Inn postcards.  

As far as I have discovered, we’ve had at least five different series of Baldpate postcards: Early bordered, Albertype, Hoffman, Sanborn, Dexter and our own from 1990s. 

It is interesting to note the variety of finishes that have been applied to several postcards versions. Since I love the watercolor look I think my favorites are the Albertype hand colored series of seven (of course) cards.  Wish they all had dates!

The earliest (I believe) of our Albertype set lists Clatworthy as publisher, and since the Key Room and second story West Wing are missing, they were before the 1935 addition.  The rest of the Albertypes note Baldpate Inn as publisher.

With the growth of our pine trees, until just recently, it was almost impossible to duplicate the angle of some of the photos, especially with Longs Peak in the background. 

Looking at this early 1 cent card with Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak in the background, I do have to admit to wondering just when folks started to get creative and "Photoshop" their pictures. Compared with our most recent aerial drone photo, those mountains seems a little out of proportion to me, what do you think?

Not yet a postcard, this newest (and my current favorite) aerial drone photo will be available this birthday season as a puzzle.  

So stop by and grab a few postcards or a picture puzzle to mark your adventures at Baldpate Inn celebrating our 100^th summer.

And stay tuned for one more bonus blog tomorrow!

Written by Lois Smith

Day 82: Seven Lazy Queens

Shopping has always been a enjoyable part of The Baldpate Inn experience.  In the early years of the inn, the Mace family took shopping to a whole new level, quite literally, with their “Seven Lazy Queens” gift shop and tower observatory. 

Named for the seven women of Gordon Mace Jr.’s family, they included his wife, Tommie, and their daughters: Linda, Leean, Stana, Penny, Melanie, and Laurie. 

A testament to the innovative spirit of Mace family, the tower and gift shop sat at the top of The Baldpate Inn’s drive, and directly across from Lily Lake. It opened in 1966. The tower sported unparalleled views of Longs Peak, the Estes valley, Trail Ridge and the northern section of Rocky Mountain National Park. The gift shop sold home décor, with “selections for the discriminating,” Gordon Jr. stated. This certainly piques my interest, and I would have loved to browse the gift shop and take in the views from the tower. These days, I enjoy shopping at the Baldpate Inn’s online gift shop and in person at the inn, with their variety of merchandise and collectables.

Today, the original tower of the Seven Lazy Queens is no longer there. It was closed off for several years before it was torn down, and I’m not throwing anyone under the bus, but the “Danger” and “Closed” signs may have been more of a challenge than a deterrent to some. 

The building that housed the early gift shop now belongs to Rocky Mountain National Park, which is quite fitting, as they also own and manage Lily Lake. We are pleased to be surrounded with Rocky Mountain National Park lands, and salute the National Parks for their vision of preserving the past and looking toward to the future. 

So if you are searching for a gift for that hard-to-shop-for friend, or even yourself, The Baldpate Inn’s history of providing unique and elegant items is certain to delight. 

Written by Liz Rodgers

Source: Estes Park Trail, July 1, 1966

Day 61: Baldpate Collectables

Not quite sure what was Baldpate’s first merchandise, but it’s fascinating the variety of items that folks have brought to show us that we did not even know existed.

Along with our famed recipes Collection Book, our signature mugs have always been big souvenirs for our guests, but when we added our own jewelry line, we later discovered it was not a Baldpate first!

The Zaegler family from Texas showed us this family bracelet treasure, which has 7 keys (of course) with a medallion that says “Baldpate Inn Estes Rocky Mt Nat’l Park.”  Wish we knew the date it was sold.

In recent years, we were so honored when a guest suggested the help of their daughter, Allison, at RockLove Jewelry of NYC to design and create custom pieces for us. Available as an ornament, necklace pendant, and key chain, the custom work of art she designed is beloved by all!

 

Found this old candle holder sketch from our archives, of a piece planned at some time, with later correspondence that indicates the cost was too great to ever be produced.

It seems rather odd that we evidently sold pottery ashtrays at one time, since many have told us that Ethel was famous for putting out cigarettes, not liking her guests to smoke at the Inn. We have been smoke free since 1986.

We were honored when an Estes Park business friend suggested we apply for a Cats Meow famous buildings design, and thrilled to have been made part of the collection.  Sadly, no longer available, it’s still a great collector item.

Local artist, Michael Ricker, also produced custom key pieces for us in his pewter line. With the artist gone and our inventory depleted, these pieces have joined the collectible circle.

Another personal favorite is our Baldpate watercolor card created by Nancy Axell.

It really has been so fascinating over the years to work with artists in so many mediums to attempt to capture Baldpate for our travelers.

Not to worry, we still have lots of treasures available and even some fun new ones for our 100^th year! Mugs, books, and more! What’s your favorite?

Written by Lois Smith