Vintage souvenir photos from restaurants, nightclubs, and travels became incredibly popular as photography grew more affordable and convenient. These keepsake photos often came tucked inside paper sleeves featuring illustrated or photographic covers that highlighted the venue’s name and location. Not only did they serve as cherished mementos, but they also doubled as clever marketing tools for the establishments.

Today’s post takes a peek at some of these charming vintage photo covers and snapshots from the 1940s.

Source: eBay

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Vintage Souvenir Photos of the 1940s

One of the pieces in my personal collection is a 1940s “Vanity Fair Souvenir” photo card from Toronto’s famous King Edward Hotel—the first luxury hotel in the city. The photo features two couples enjoying a glamorous night out on the town.

This is the vintage piece that was the inspiration for this blog post.

1940s promotional leaflet for ‘Clifton’s Cafeteria‘ in Los Angeles, California featuring the famous “camera girls” in the cover illustration. These women were in charge of capturing the fun time’s guests had at Clifton’s.

Further Reading: You can read all about one women’s diary (Vilma) about her time at Clifton’s in the 1950s as a camera HERE.

ABOUT: Founded in 1931 by Clifford Clinton, the design of the restaurants included exotic decor and facades that were “kitschy and theatrical”, and would eventually include multi-story fake redwood trees, stuffed lions, neon plants, and a petrified wood bar. Some considered Clifton’s as a precursor to the first tiki bars (source).

Clifton’s operated on a “pay what you wish” policy, especially during the Depression era, ensuring everyone could afford a meal (seen below). 

Source: eBay

1940s vintage souvenir photo from Coney Island featuring two men in military uniforms posing with two women in a car. Fun shore leave photo.

Further Reading: Vintage Photos from The Photo Booth & Vintage Photo Booth Images – Part 2

Source: eBay

Nothing says “we visited New York” like a photo booth image of two ladies drinking in a car? ha! Cute 1940’s dresses!

Source: eBay

A group of Navy men having some fun during shore leave at ‘Palace Bar and Grill’ in New York City.

Source: eBay

1940s Cafe Zanzibar in New York City souvenir photo holder. Inside is a group of stylish Black Women and Men enjoying a smoke together.

About Cafe Zanzibar: Was a popular nightclub and entertainment venue in New York City during the 1940s, particularly known for its association with the Harlem Renaissance and its role as a showcase for Black talent. It gained fame as a successor to the prestigious Cotton Club and was a hub for jazz music, dancing, and theatrical performances.

The cafe featured a mix of live music (including big bands like Louis Armstrong’s and Claude Hopkins’), dancing (including the Lindy Hop), and theatrical performances.

It also hosted renowned artists such as Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey, and Bill Robinson, as well as groups like the Delta Rhythm Boys and the Nicholas Brothers. (Source).

Source: eBay

This souvenir photo booklet is from “The Ringside” in New York City. This place was across from the iconic Madison Square Garden, and has a great vintage boxing graphic on the cover.

The vintage photo inside features some fantastic 1940s fashions on display, like the men’s ties and all those love 1940s curls on our ladies.

Source: Etsy-HaseleySonAntiques

Beautiful 1940s hats on display on our group of women dining at ‘Restaurant Madrillon’ in the Washington Building in Washington D.C. Love the peacock illustration on the photo cover.

Source: eBay

1945 – Memories of Joker Joe’s at the Typhoon Club in Chicago, IL.

ABOUT: This pre-tiki bar was located at the Southwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Newark Avenue in Niles, Illinois. oker Joe (Joe Siciliano?) was ubiquitous on advertising and apparently liked to throw on a hula skirt and then jump up on the bar and do impromptu dances (Source).

Source: eBay

‘Latin Casino’ restaurant in Philadelphia, PA 1940s souvenir cover featuring a photo of a man in uniform and his pretty partner with the loveliest of 1940s hairstyles (including a hair flower it looks like and a floral corsage as well) enjoying a before dinner cocktail.

Source: eBay

1940s souvenir image cover for ‘Music Bar Cocktail Lounge’ on Broadway in New York City. “Where Smart New Yorkers Dine and Dance”. The inside photo features a couple smiling while out on the town.

Source: eBay

For my last one, I’m actually slipping in an image and it’s cover from the 1950s for the ‘Rocker-Four Club’ in Tokyo, Japan. “The Showplace of Japan”. The image inside is of two solders (seen below).

The Rocker-Four Club had a short lived history (only open for 6 years) but it made it’s mark in this world and I thought too fun to not share in this post!

Source: eBay

Below Photo Description: Servicemembers and their dates enjoy the floor show in the Marine Room at The Rocker Four nightclub in downtown Tokyo. The Tokyo Cuban Boys band can be seen playing on the large balcony overlooking the ballroom as the showgirls entertain the guests under the giant painted octopus on the ceiling. The Marine room is one of the two ballrooms at the club. 

About the Club: The Rocker Four Club opened its doors July 4, 1952, during the Korean War and in its 6 years of existence was the biggest – and to many the swingingest – NCO club (non-commissioned officers) in the world before closing its doors in March 1958. The Romanesque building with a 58,592 square-feet inside floor space housed two ballrooms, four bars, as well as several restaurants and snackbars. The biggest and most popular club made so much money in its heyday that free-drink and steak-dinner nights became a regular feature (source).

That was such a fun post to put together—I hope you enjoyed seeing all the joyful memories people captured!

Personally, I have fond memories as a kid visiting my favourite amusement park and getting a souvenir photo with my brother after a ride. They still do that today!

Did you ever get your own keepsake photo? I’d love to hear your stories—feel free to share in the comments below.

Further Reading: Vintage Photos Archive 1920s-1960s & Vintage Advertising 1920s-1960s

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz