This vintage color postcard depicts Harman’s Kentucky Fried Chicken, a locally branded early franchise of Kentucky Fried Chicken operating in Phoenix, Arizona during the early 1960s. The image shows a classic mid-century roadside restaurant with bold signage, expansive parking, and exterior lighting designed to attract passing motorists—an architectural style closely associated with America’s postwar car culture. At the time this postcard was produced, Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises were often permitted to incorporate the owner’s surname into the business name, resulting in signage such as Harman’s Kentucky Fried Chicken. This practice was common during the brand’s early expansion under Colonel Harland Sanders, before later corporate standardization phased out most locally branded names. The postcard was published by Dexter Press for the Phoenix Specialty Advertising Company and photographed by Tom Reed. Based on Dexter’s internal coding system, the card dates to circa 1963, placing it squarely in the formative era of KFC’s national growth. Evidence suggests that at least two Harman’s Kentucky Fried Chicken locations operated in Phoenix, making this card an especially interesting record of early fast-food franchising in the Southwest. The reverse is a standard Dexter Press divided-back format, printed for souvenir and promotional use. Cards like this were often sold at the restaurant or nearby tourist outlets. This postcard is in very good vintage condition. The card features a clean image with strong color and contrast. There is light corner wear consistent with age. There are no creases or tears. The reverse remains clean and legible. Overall, this is a well-preserved example that displays well (see scans).
This cabinet card is available for purchase at The History Peddler for $22.00 or best offer.
Interested collectors may view the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236581056067
The photographer of this press photo must have been in a playful and creative mood at the time that this photograph was taken. The image features a statue and its model, side by side, in identical poses. The caption of the photograph, affixed to the reverse, indicates that the model is “beautiful” Hollywood star, Toni Seven. It also states that she was the fiance of Senator Warren G Magnuson of Washington state. The photograph was taken in 1949. Toni Seven (1922-1991) was born as June Elizabeth Millarde. Her mother was noted stage and silent film actress, June Caprice. Caprice also worked as a model. Toni’s father, Harry F Millarde, was a film director. Toni’s father died when she was just 8 years old. She was orphaned at age 13 when her mother died. Her grandparents took on the responsibility of raising young Toni. She was raised in the town of Great Neck, located on Long Island in New York state. An article in Time Magazine (1949) indicates that she was financially secure. It was reported that she was a heiress to a fortune worth 3 million dollars. It appears that Toni Seven was genetically loaded to become a performer. As Toni Seven, she was a popular American cover girl and actress, In the early 1940’s she played minor roles in three films. One of these films was the well known “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (1942). She later appeared in two more films. When World War II began, she became a volunteer at the “Hollywood Canteen”, The canteen offered food, dancing and entertainment to servicemen, many of whom were preparing to go overseas. Everything at the canteen was free for uniformed servicemen and servicewomen, She was named pin-up of the year by US soldiers in the European theater in 1945. In 1944, she changed her name to Toni Seven. She thought it would be fun to sign her name “Toni 7”. When the first pin-up exhibition in the United States was held in 1944, Toni Seven was featured along with many other beautiful models, including Jane Russell. In 1946, Seven reclaimed her original name. In 1949, newspapers ran articles asserting that Toni was romantically involved with Washington US Senator, Warren Magnuson. Although the caption of this press photo states that she and Magnuson were engaged, the pair never married. However, the couple dated on and off between 1948 and 1953. Looking at Toni Seven’s biographical data, it is clear that her acting career was unremarkable. Toni appeared in only five films. Stellarstar writes in the blog “Those Obscure Objects of Desire” that “Toni Sevin is proof that a girl who lands in Hollywood, has money to burn, a great press agent and more than enough beauty, can still end up a complete unknown”. Toni was successful in other areas of her life. She was a great horsewoman, and also excelled at swimming and tennis. She despised gossip but created some when she dated Errol Flynn and other celebrities. This press photo belonged to the Intercontinental agency, located in Paris, France. An additional photograph of Miss Seven can be found below. SOLD
PHOTO OF TONI SEVEN (NOT FOR SALE)
REVERSE OF PRESS PHOTO
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 