Swoonworthy Vintage Motel & Vacation Photos – RetroStockPix.com

I don’t know what the weather has been like where you are today, but we have rain over snow here in PA, my car stalled out on the way home from work, and we’ve got another lousy snow storm headed our way. With all that I thought it was the right time to share with everyone some absolutely fabulous vintage vacation  photos from the collection of Aladdin Color that are are available for all of us to drool over at RetroStockPix.com.

Thunderbird Motel Lake George NY - Neon Sign 1967 - Retrostockpix.com RetroRoadmap.comI chatted with Eric Bard- the man behind Retro Stock Pix and whose father began Aladdin Color in 1957. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for me, so I could share the info and the wonderful photos available to purchase on his site.

What were these photos originally used for?

Aladdin Color Inc. was started in 1957 to produce color brochures and postcards for Motels/Hotels, Restaurants, and many other businesses. We have a lot of  architects drawings of the properties too. They were used to create the pre-opening brochures. We have the largest collection of images from Wildwood New Jersey as well.

Casa Bahama Motel, Wildwood NJ.  Pool Area - Retrostockpix.com RetroRoadmap.com

Did you go to any of these places with your dad?

My family would stay in Wildwood for the month of August while he photographed. I was his helper along with my brothers and sister. He would use us in a lot of the pictures. From 1968 on, you can see one or more of us in every postcard or brochure. There’s a good beach picture of the Attache Motel where the whole family is in the picture, even my father. he must have had someone trigger the shutter.

Attache Motel, Wildwood, NJ- Pool with High Dive and Sliding Board Retrostockpix.com RetroRoadmap.com

Do you have any interesting stories about any of the places, either of your dad’s or your personal recollections?

My dad took pictures of  the boardwalk roller coasters and rides. He would tell the person operating the ride what he was doing and explain that he wanted us (his kids) to be his models and to just let us keeping going on the ride until he was done photographing.

Castle Dracula on Marine Pier - Roller Coaster RetroStockpix.com  RetroRoadmap.com

He would take a couple of pictures and then he’d go get a slice of pizza while we continued to go on the ride over and over again. It was great & didn’t cost him a dime.

What is your favorite part of this process?

I have slowly been going through the collection and choosing the best images to scan. That’s the most fun. The photographs from 1956 until around 1967  are 4″ x 5″ transparencies. The scans are  are huge files and having a large file lets you kind of explore the picture. You can blow the image up and view the details of the clothes and architecture.

New Brighton Hotel, Parksville, NY Couples dancing in the lounge Retrostockpix.com RetroRoadmap.com

How many photos do you have in your archive?

Over 100,000 from 1956 till today and still growing. As a picture is used or a print is purchased, I have used that money to scan more photographs and get them online. I would like to get another 600 – 700 photographs up in the next year if I can afford it.

Rio Motel Coffee Shop at night RetroStockpix.com RetroRoadmap.com

Have you ever thought of putting a book together? I’d buy one for sure!

About four times a year I say I’m going to do a book. My problem is how to condense it into one.
I need to find someone with publishing experience to speak to.

(Retro Roadmap Readers- anyone know someone who can help Eric out? I think it would be a fab coffee table book!)

Imperial 500 Motel, Wildwood, NJ. Couple having coffee in their motel room.  1960'sThank you Eric, for sharing your fabulous photos and story with us!

These few watermarked photos that I’ve selected to show here on Retro Roadmap are not even a drop in the bucket compared to the galleries available and photos for sale on Eric’s website RetroStockPix.com. I found myself getting lost in the locations, decorations, colors, outfits, hairstyles, backgrounds and could seriously spend days absorbing the wonderful moments in time that Eric’s dad captured. Many of these photos remind me of William Eggleston’s photographs.

Granted I can’t go back in time, but I’ll be poring over these wonderful vintage photos myself until it’s vacation time for all  of us- join me won’t you? And you can join RetroStockPix on Facebook too!

RetroStockPix.com
– Over 100,000 Retro Stock Photographs from the 1950’s & 60’s of Motels, Hotels, Boardwalks & Amusement Parks, Resort Areas, Tiki, Coffee Shops, Bars, Restaurants.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on email
Email
Archives

Add a Comment

  • wendyvee
    February 23, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    Wow. Oh. Wow.

    I’m a HUGE fan of RetroStockPix now!

    How cool is it that the family appears in many of the shots!

    Great interview 🙂

    • Mod Betty / Retro Roadmap
      February 23, 2010 at 9:10 pm

      Thanks! My adrenaline peaked when I saw these photos too, and it was so very extra cool that it was a family collection. I would love a book of many of these, the ladies look so great and it’s really cool to see what folks did for fun, before video games and internet. Sigh…!

  • Gunnar
    February 23, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    These photos are to die for, and how great that someone is so lovingly taking care of them and realizes what a treasure they are. Great interview!

  • Suzanne
    February 23, 2010 at 10:42 pm

    These are fabulous! Makes me even more ready for a visit to the Carribean in Wildwood. Now I’ll have to see what else is in this collection. Thanks for sharing.

  • Lizzie
    February 24, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    Oh, my gosh, but these are the most fantastic photos! Thanks for sharing and for the link to the site.

    • Mod Betty / Retro Roadmap
      February 24, 2010 at 5:16 pm

      Lizzie- I thought so too, it was hard to keep ’em to myself but I knew we’d all need a little kodachrome cheering up during the dark days of winter. We’re supposed to get more snow here in PA tomorrow, so I think I’ll just gaze at the old time folks having fun in Wildwood for a while!

  • Eric
    March 3, 2010 at 7:52 am

    Thank you for the great write up on our website. The best part was that I found your site. I can spend a lot of time going back into your older posts. Just a ton of interesting stuff. I need more snow, so I can just sit and read.

    Thanks again, Eric

  • Motels in Wildwood Crest NJ
    March 9, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Aladdin Color has done brochures for many motels here for years. As Always Great pics!!!!!

chat
Add a comment
keyboard_arrow_up