This vintage colorized postcard captures a lively scene at the Suffolk County Fair Grounds in Riverhead, New York, during the early 1900s. The image shows harness racing in progress, with several sulky drivers and their horses trotting down the dirt track. A covered grandstand filled with spectators lines the left side of the view, while on the right a tall judges’ or announcer’s stand rises above the crowd beneath autumn-colored trees. The postcard vividly conveys the excitement of fair-time races and the bustling atmosphere of an agricultural fair. On the reverse, the card is published by the Eagle Post Card Company of New York. A handwritten message reads: “It is on these grounds that we practice our out of door sports. It is about a quarter of a mile from school. We use the tracks also.” This personal note suggests that the track and fairgrounds were used for more than public events—they were also a community resource. The Suffolk County Fair was a major institution on Long Island for nearly a century. The Suffolk County Agricultural Society began holding fairs in the 1840s, and in 1867 Riverhead citizens purchased and donated 20 acres to establish permanent fairgrounds, which opened the following year. The fair showcased livestock, poultry, produce, and machinery, and it quickly became known for its popular horse and bicycle races. The site grew to prominence, hosting events such as political rallies—Theodore Roosevelt campaigned there—and even sporting spectacles; Babe Ruth is said to have played baseball on the grounds in 1923. The fair operated annually through the 1930s, until the land was sold to the Riverhead School District between 1934 and 1936. The grandstand and racetrack, however, lived on in postcards like this one, which now serve as visual records of an important part of Suffolk County’s history. SOLD
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 