Portland's development in the era from 1890 to 1950 is characterized by a 1911 statement that "as a bustling commercial center, an attractive place of residence, and a beautiful summer resort, Portland looms big." The city's leadership role as a major publishing nexus for early20thcentury American postcards accounts for the quality and quantity of the period images produced by firms such as Chisholm, Leighton, and Morris. Featuring many neverbeforepublished views from the extensive collection of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Portland offers a treasured visual reminder of a time when the city prospered as a major transatlantic port and played host to 250,000 tourists annually.