Vintage Virginia City, Nevada Souvenir Decal c. 1970s
Viridian Eclection
The Piece A souvenir water-slide transfer decal for Virginia City, Nevada, printed in bright multicolor on paper with its backing sheet intact. The design carries the legends "Virginia City, Nevada...
The Piece
A souvenir water-slide transfer decal for Virginia City, Nevada, printed in bright multicolor on paper with its backing sheet intact.
The design carries the legends "Virginia City, Nevada" and "Queen of the Comstock," pairing a historic local landmark with a locomotive image, so that one small decal works as a compact tribute to the town.
The original instruction sheet for applying the transfer is still present. The decal has never been mounted.
History & Provenance
The decal was produced by the Baxter Lane Co. of Amarillo, Texas, one of the printers that supplied the American roadside souvenir trade. Decals of this kind were sold at gift shops and filling stations to be applied to car windows, luggage and other smooth surfaces, a way of recording where a family had driven.
The printing style and color register place it in the 1970s, late in the run of western tourism graphics that began before the war and carried through the interstate era.
The epithet "Queen of the Comstock" refers to Virginia City's position at the center of the Comstock Lode, the silver strike that built the town and made it one of the most storied destinations in Nevada.
Product Details
| Era | Circa 1970s |
| Maker | Baxter Lane Co., Amarillo, Texas |
| Form | Water-slide transfer decal, unmounted |
| Subject | Virginia City, Nevada, "Queen of the Comstock," with a local landmark and locomotive image |
| Materials | Printed paper decal with backing sheet |
| Color | Multicolor graphic print |
| Includes | Original backing sheet and application instructions |
| Dimensions | To be confirmed |
| Condition | Vintage condition. Light age related wear consistent with storage. Backing and instructions present |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
Unused travel decals survive in far smaller numbers than the trinkets sold alongside them, because the whole point was to stick them to something. One that still has its backing and instruction sheet is a complete object rather than a fragment.
Framed small, it reads as a graphic print. The color is strong enough to hold its own in a group, and the subject gives it regional weight for anyone collecting Nevada or the Comstock.
It works on a gallery wall of small framed ephemera, in a Nevada or western Americana archive, or as a single framed piece in a hallway or a bar.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Private viewings also available.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
