PC-001-129

Feeding " Ben," a sea lion on Avalon Beach, Santa Catalina Island, California

 

1900s

 

 

" Ben" was a famous sea lion who readily posed for visitors with fish. A tourist attraction, he "swam ashore each day from 1898 to 1920," according to the Los Angeles Times. He was featured in the movie "The Sea Nymphs" in 1914. In 1986 a new bronze statue of Old Ben was molded from and replaced the 11-year-old concrete version by Stanley Rosin at the end of Cabrillo Mole Pier. The white space at the bottom of the picture (originally for messages) is an indication that this divided-back card was manufactured not long after postal regulations changed to allow messages to be written on the back, March 1, 1907. The publisher's number on the back of the card is E. 11.

Catalina Island; Catalina; Santa Catalina Island; Old Ben; Sea lions

 

California - Catalina Island

 

 

MS-0008

 

Newman Post Card Co., Los Angeles, California

Postcard

3.5 inches X 5.5 inches

No

Google book "Catalina Island" by Jeannine L. Pedersen, Catalina Island Museum, 2004; Los Angeles Times June 22, 1986, "Catalina Landmark: Old Ben the Seal Moves to Bronze Age"

 

 

Image

TIFF

21.56 MB