Sponge Industry, Key West, Florida

Sponge Industry, Key West, Florida: © Key West Art & Historical Society
Sponge Industry, Key West, Florida

© Key West Art & Historical Society

Name/Title

Sponge Industry, Key West, Florida

Entry/Object ID

1988.04.0027

Description

Postcard depicting three views of sponges - on the docks, on a horse-drawn wagon, and being examined by potential buyers. The caption reads, ‘Sponge Industry, Key West, Florida’. The description on the verso reads, ‘In 1849 a small lot of sponge was sent to New York on a venture and narrowly escaped being thrown away, all our sponge at that time coming from the Mediterranean. The business attained to an annual catch of $750,000.00 and the fact that the divers are not permitted in Monroe County waters, and the local method of taking sponge solely by means of long handled hooks has conserved the natural increase, and it is still an important source of income. Local water is so clear that spongers are able to see and hook sponges in 30 to 40 feet of water.’

Subject Place

City

Key West

State/Province

Florida

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

County

Monroe

Collection

Postcard Collection

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Postcard

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Writing Media

Nomenclature Class

Written Communication T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 06: Tools & Equipment for Communication

Condition

Good