NEW BOOK FOCUSES ON ALBION POSTCARDS

Author Frank Passic showing new book cover art

The book will be released to the public by Arcadia Press the week of September 30. Passic however has been able to obtain a limited supply of advance copies which he will offer at his Albion History Booth at the Festival of the Forks for a book signing on Saturday, September 21. He will be located in front of First Merit Bank (Formerly Citizen’s Bank) at 205 S. Superior St in the morning and early afternoon.

"Albion" is the author’s ninth book about Albion, including another Arcadia book published in 2002 entitled "Albion in the 20th Century." That book had two printings and is now sold out. Passic is also the author of "Growing Up in Albion" (2006), and "Albion in Review" (2009) both still in print.

"It is fascinating to look at these postcards produced a century ago, " states Passic, "Albion was a growing town with lots of hopes and dreams, and these postcards really highlight our bustling little city. This is the first time all of these picture postcards have been compiled together into one book. There are some incredible scenes here," he remarks. Many of the postcards have previously been written about in the author’s weekly column "Historical Notebook" published in the Morning Star, and reprinted on the www.albionmich.com website.

The book begins with a hefty chapter consisting of 43 cards focusing on Albion College. Not only are the campus classroom buildings featured, but the numerous fraternity and sorority houses that existed in the early 20th century are illustrated as well. "Anyone who went to Albion College will enjoy purchasing and reading this book," says Passic. "Albion College is a vital part of Albion history and deserved placement as the first chapter in the book."

After touring the College, the reader is then given a tour of downtown Albion in Chapter Two entitled "Our Main Street is Superior." The postcards are arranged in order up-and-down both sides of the street. "The details on these cards are fantastic. You can even read the names of the merchants on the awnings and on the windows in these photos," Passic says.

Chapter Three flows along the Kalamazoo River, and includes scenes of the Great Flood of 1908. "The Great Flood was perhaps the most photographed event in Albion’s history, and lots of postcards were produced. I’ve chosen a selection of cards representative of that natural disaster." In Chapter Four, the reader is treated to a tour of Albion’s municipal buildings and parks, concluding with Riverside Cemetery.

Albion once boasted of having three railroads: The Michigan Central, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Michigan United Traction Company, or Interurban. Chapter 5 contains some rarely seen postcards of these railroads. Chapter 6 focuses on Albion’s industries such as the Gale Manufacturing Company, and the Albion Malleable Iron Company.

Chapter 8 entitled "People, Places and Events" contains a variety of subjects, such as the public school system, several churches, a sheep massacre, and movies featured at local theatres. The book concludes with Chapter 9, featuring some novelty cartoon postcards that bear the name of Albion on them, but could bear the name of any community.

The book retails for $21.99 plus sales tax of $1.32 for a total of $23.31. Copies may also be purchased by mail from the author. For Michigan mail orders please add $5.60 for shipping plus $1.66 for sales tax for a total of $29.25. Out-of-State orders please add $5.60 for shipping. Check or money order by mail payable to "Frank Passic" at 900 S. Eaton St., Albion, MI 49224. He can also be contacted by e-mail at: Albionfp@hotmail.com. Passic will also carry copies with him personally, and may be contacted at (517) 629-5402.

"This book is destined to become a classic Albion history reference source. Once you start reading it, you won’t want to lay it down. There are so many images here of our Albion heritage," Passic states.