We’ve all been enjoying Josh Salwitz’s Seattle Center construction photos and now it’s time for a Max R. Jensen look at the final product. Jensen extensively documented the Seattle World’s Fair, being one of the few official photographers of the event. Who knows who was writing the captions, though. Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Just a 1917 card from Myrtle to her mother in Spokane. She expected to be home before the postcard arrived. But was she? Duh duh dunnnnnn. Click on the thumbnails for the high res versions.

Tea Room — Y.W.C.A. Seattle, U.S.A.

Postcard sent to Mrs. S. B. Clifford of Spokane, Washington on March 25, 1917.

Here we have some late period Max R. Jensen photography work. The outrageously loud colors should tip you off as to the decade. Yep, the 1980′s — Jensen’s last decade of postcard work after having documented Seattle the environs since the 1940′s. Click for high res and you may want to put on some sunglasses.

An aerial view of Bellevue, Washington. Located on the east side of Lake Washington, is the state’s fourth largest city. Photo by Max R. Jensen.

Bellevue is Washington’s fourth largest city. Bellevue is on the east shore of Lake Washington, just east of Seattle, and affords residents quality schools, housing, and shopping. Photo by Max R. Jensen.

We are continuing with Max R. Jensen / Bellevue week here at VS.org with our trip across Lake Washington. Devopment has picked up in this photo as Bellevue Square shopping center expands. Who can pintpoint the year? Click for the high res.

Bellevue, Washington, located on the east side of Lake Washington is now the fourth largest city in the State. This complete, suburban shopping center, seen here, is easily accessible by the residents of Bellevue and the neighboring communities. Color photo by Max R. Jensen.

We are kicking off Max R. Jensen / Bellevue week here at VS.org with a trip across Lake Washington to the “enterprising young city” to our east. Pretty interesting photo here, showing downtown Bellevue in the very early days as trees still dominated large parcels of land. Stayed tuned for next time when Bellevue grows up and out. Click fo the high res version.

Bellevue, Washington. This enterprising young city has beautiful modern homes and large shopping centers and is connected with Seattle via the Lake Washington Floating Bridge. Ektachrome by Max R. Jensen.

Spring is here and we had a mostly beautiful weekend — more of that please. As the weather warms our household is gearing up for a trip to Woodland Park Zoo and Hawaii, not necessarily in that order. In the meantime, check out this old postcard that ended up here in the 1920′s and now resides in my scanner bed. Click for the high res copy.

Watching The Bears In Woodland Park, Seattle. 102139.

Postcard sent to Portland, Maine in July 192X.

Today we have a simple University District “air view” from the legendary Max R. Jensen. If you don’t know Jensen’s work from the 40′s through the 80′s documenting every facet of Seattle, now is a good time to study up in the archives. Click for the high res.

Air view of the modern busy University District, adjoining the University of Washington Campus at Seattle, Washington. The Edmond Meany Hotel is in the center of the picture. Ektachrome by Max R. Jensen.

This old Woodland Park postcard brings back memories. Not from 1915, but from my high school job working on an ostrich farm. A diversion was created while I snuck into the pen and snagged the eggs headed for the incubator. You had to be quick, lest you should get caught in a corner and kicked to death. The farmer’s wife was nearly killed by one. Enough about me, check out the 1915 card and click for the high res.

The Ostriches At Woodland Park, Seattle. Photo by Nowell & Rognon.

Postcard sent October 1915 to Newark, Ohio.

We’ve previously lamented the loss of the 1906 Seattle Public Library, so let’s concentrate on happier times. These cards from 1910 and 1914 show the Beaux-Arts beauty designed by Peter J. Weber. Click for the high res and only check out the demo shots if you’ve got a box of tissues and a 40 ounce nearby.

Seattle Public Library.

Postcard sent May 12, 1910.

8. Public Library, Seattle.

Postcard sent January 7, 1914.

Walking around downtown Bellevue during the workweek I constantly see flashy condo advertisements touting “the new ‘Vue” but I’m more interested in “the old ‘Vue.” Check out the ’70′s era card from Max R. Jensen. Now, I know it’s fashionable to beat up on Bellevue but I have to admit to liking a few recent additions to their skyline, especially Bellevue Towers and of course Paccar. Yes, yes, the old curmudgeon has some positivity in him after all. Click for the high res.

Bellevue, Washington, located on the east side of Lake Washington, is the state’s fourth largest city. This aerial view looks east over Meydenbauer Bay and the city’s Business District. Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.

One of Woodland Park Zoo’s modern day “menageries,” Nocturnal House, is closing soon. If you want to see sloths, bats, and armadillos like I do then you’d better hit the zoo rather quickly. The Times story was a reminder that I hadn’t been to the zoo in a while and would like to. I was thinking Spring when the weather gets a little warmer but I really, really need to see those sloths. Check out the turn of the century postcard from Woodland Park. Click for the high res and I’ll see you at the sloths.

Menagerie, Woodland Park, Seattle, U.S.A.

Just a simple downtown night shot tonight from the one and only Max R. Jensen as we head into the Christmas break. Hope you and your family have a happy holiday. Click for the high res copy.

Seattle By Night. Seattle, Washington’s downtown business district at night offers this beautiful view as seen from the top of the Space Needle. B4912-Color photo: Max R. Jensen.

Even though there’s still some debate over Wednesday’s Third & Cherry post, let us move on. Move on, or actually move back, to 1909. This vintage postcard shows the interior of the New Washington Hotel — the “no women allowed” sign must be out of frame. If there are those braver than I who dare transcribe, please feel free in the comments. Click for higher res.

1763 — Lobby, New Washington Hotel, Seattle, Washington.

Postcard sent Dec. 17, 1909.

Here’s another late 1970′s postcard shot straight from Max R. Jensen’s archives. Who can name the building going up in the right hand side of the frame? Should help us pin down an exact year. Click for higher res.

An aerial view of Seattle from the south shows the King County Domed Stadium in the foreground, the Downtown Business District, and the Space Needle in the background. To the left is a small part of Seattle’s busy waterfront. Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.

Here comes another Max R. Jensen special. This 1970′s era Sea-Tac Airport shot can be compared to these 50′s shots. One thing you’ll note is the Photoshopped jet — groovy. Click for higher res and have a nice weekend.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Color Photo: Max R. Jensen.