Shady Lane II

Second postcard I have used of Shady Lane in Evington, Leicester. The Postcard is posted in 1917 and has a Halfpenny stamp.

It is To Dear Ethel, and is 'With Best Love and Kisses Yours For Ever Willie'

Dunster, Yarn Market & Castle

I inherited from My Uncle Dennis a postcard album. In it was this postcard of Dunster, which I particularly like because of family associations. I never knew Uncle Dennis because our family has a strange history of schisms. I have other artifacts from him including cassettes tapes of bird song which he introduces. I would have liked to have known him.

Vitkov Hill

We visited Prague two years ago and on one day climbed Vítkov hill, the subject of this postcard from an earlier 1973 visit, to view the huge equestrian statue of Czech 14th Century hero : Jan Žižka.

Prague will always hold a fascination for me. When I first visited in 1973 it was still behind the iron curtain. My dad had not only arranged a family holiday for us but was also taking Christian books to Christian friends in a communist state.

I remember that, as well as the Christian books, the border guards also found a John Paul Sartre novel in my brother's bag - which was approved off by the state and helped my dad's cause. But in my bag was a novel about nihilism by Alan Sillitoe. That confused the situation considerably.

My dad was interrogated for some hours at the border, and all the Christian books and the novel about nihilism were appended to the visa so we had to take them out of the country again or risk I don't know what. Throughout the holiday we felt we were being watched - quite possibly we were - but the authorities let us in because we had valuable foreign currency.

The unknown Soldier

A high percentage of those killed in battle in WW I were never identified, and just one of those was chosen to be buried with the highest honour as an Everyman. Even the battlefield where he was found was kept secret. In the end the choice came down between six unknowns who were draped in union jacks and laid in a chapel. Two high ranking officers went in. The highest ranking General rested his hand on one of the bodies and they placed that body in a plain coffin to be buried among all the Kings and Great people with great ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Those same generals sent possibly hundreds of thousands of unknowns - unknown to them that is - off to the fields that were later covered in poppies.

David and Bathsheba

This postcard is part of the The 'Picturegoer' series and shows Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward in "David and Bathsheba" The 1951 film can still be got through Amazon who say it is... "A sprawling. Action-packed epic that sweeps off the pages of the Bible and across the screen recreating one of the most torrid tales of passion ever told"

Can Can

This may not be that risqué in terms of today's internet, and what is available, but it is as risqué as I am likely to get. This Can Can dancer began as one in a watercolor series from the early 30's signed by Alice Huertas. They became postcards in the 1950s or 60s - reproduced on thin card.

Bryan de Grineau

I have six postcard paintings by Bryan de Grineau and they all show aeroplanes speeding towards the viewer and past.

I looked on the internet and found other pictures by Bryan de Grineau - Grand Prix cars and speeding steam trains on a post auction sale internet site. .

His pictures always show great movement.

Furze lane, Purley

This postcard of Furze Lane Purley at the turn of the last century shows a newly established street. It is very leafy now with houses disguised by trees.

Military Hospital Ward

I should imagine this group photograph of army officers and nurses in a military hospital ward was before WW I. It could have been a Christmas Postcard taken to send back to people at home. On the back is the message "Am going on absolutely splendid.' This is one you need to see large to see the faces from 100 years ago.

A Bishop's CV from the early 1900s

This postcard posted in 1907 and published by Russell & Sons of Baker Street London, shows Edward Stuart Talbot, first Bishop of Southwark.

Bishop Talbot was born in 1844 the son of a QC. He Studied at Charterhouse and Oxford and was ordained at 26. He was a follower of the Oxford movement, and acknowledged the Tractarians as his spiritual fathers.

He was 1st Warden of Keble College and  Bishop of Rochester in 1895.

He organised the creation of the Diocese of Southwark in 1905 by splitting the extensive Diocese of Rochester. Southwark was to include the county of London south of the Thames and East and Mid Surrey.

He became the first bishop of Southwark from 1905 to 1911, and then Bishop of Winchester for twelve years until retirement.

He died in 1934.

Adjacent to the famous Calvary Baptist Church

There are quite a lot of postcards like this in my collection picked up by people at hotels along with the free bars of soap and sachets of sugar.

The postcard says "One of the most convenient and dignified addresses in N.Y.C. Within walking distance of the Fifth Ave. Shops, Radio City, Times Square, Museums, The Coliseum, Lincoln Center, Central Park, and adjacent to the famous Calvary Baptist Church."

So, that places it better. My dad visited the huge Calvary Baptist Church in 1969. For a couple of years he worked for Billy Graham, the evangelist, and went Stateside in 1969.

Einstein's Blackboard

We went to the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford a while back. On the way out I bought some postcards including this one for 60p. The blackboard was used by Albert Einstein doing a Lecture on 'The Theory of Relativity' in Oxford on 16 May 1931. Normally a blackboard is wiped after use, but in 1931 Einstein was already an international celebrity and so the blackboard was preserved and now hangs on the wall protected by glass. I sometimes carry the postcard around and  scribble the formulae onto the back of dirty vans. It makes a change from 'Also available in white' and 'Please Clean me'.

Leonardo Da Vinci - Landscape

This Postcard is from The Exhibition of Italian Art at the Royal Academy London in 1930. I was sorting through a batch of postcards all from the same exhibition and picked this out - to me it appeared almost like a Chinese Landscape: those pen and ink hills with far reaching vistas - horizontals and verticals. Leonardo would have been about 20 when he drew this. The writing top left says "The day of the Holy Virgin of the snows 5th August 1473"

Highland Cattle - Isle of Skye

Highland cattle reared on the Isle of Skye were made to swim  to the mainland then driven along the drovers' road to the Market at Kinlochhourn. Then after that could be driven much further to their final destination. They are a hardy breed, well known because of their long horns and wavy fur. They have withstood the long cold winters of Skye for many generations without having to go inside, so maybe a sea swim and long mainland trek was no great hardship to them.

A Skye Crofter's Home

Crofting on the Isle of Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebridy Islands - off Scotland, had been going through a turbulent time up to 1886. The Crofters, who lived off their small holdings, earning their keep through agriculture and craft work, had been given large rent increases. They organised themselves and protested and refused to pay rent unless they were granted a fair rent and security of tenure. In 1886 the Crofters Holding (1886) Scotland Act was passed - giving them many of their demands.

Kenley from the Downs

This postcard, from 1920, has a message on the back that just goes to show that postcards were the facebook or twitter of their day

"I sent you a parcel last Wednesday Morning. I am wondering if you have got it as I have not heard."

Bridge of Allan

This postcard shows a small bridge in a Scottish Glen with an Edwardian Lady stitching what looks like needlework. Near the time of this picture, I read in the Stirling and Bridge of Allan Reporter "Three Bridge of Allan boys, whose ages ranged between nine and ten years, appeared before Sheriff Mitchell at a Juvenile Court held in the County Buildings, Stirling, on Friday, charged with stealing gooseberries from the garden of Glenlea House, Bridge of Allan, on
Saturday, 1st July. Two of the lads admitted having committed the offence and their parents were fined 5s each."

Note Auntie Dolly reading!

This postcard was sent on January 16th 1920 by an Uncle to my Great Aunt - back in England.

On the back he says... "This is all built up high on the banks of the Hudson River. Very pretty, even in winter. I have been on a bus ride all along Riverside Drive. The Drive goes from 72nd to 155th Streets through the Viaduct at 127th Street, and is lined with expensive looking apartments.... Note Auntie Dolly reading!"

Shady Lane

Back in the 1960s we lived not far from Shady Lane. I remember how some friends from my class at Whitehall Junior School used to regularly visit and feed the horses in the field alongside Shady Lane. Even though we lived in a large city, there was a small walkable area I knew. One boundary of it was Shady Lane which I never walked along. We only drove down that lane and I have no recollection of what was beyond.

Cavemen Days

This is a postcard from my friend Nick in 1971. He writes.... "Twopence strikes again on other dogs! I hope you enjoyed the camp. I am having great time in Holland seeing thousand of L....s relatives. "

Nick is an expert on bio-medical patenting, and has written books on new age religion. We met up about nine years ago and still exchange Christmas Cards and the occasional e-mail.

Back then I had a dog called Tuppence - a Jack Russell. Nick's family had a Golder Retriever called Honey, and those dogs loved running up and down the hedge between our two houses barking at each other.

British Butterflies not Thanksgiving Turkeys

This unused Raphael Tuck & Sons "Aquarette" Postcard from the Butterflies and Moths Series II is from 1918.

The artist R J Wealthy appears to be more well known - at least on ebay - for his Thanksgiving Turkey postcards. The butterflies on this one are:

i. Small Tortoiseshell
ii. Swallowtail
iii. Chalk Hill Blue (Male)
iv. Small Skipper (Male)
v. Camberwell Beauty

Theobaldus Stampensis

This 1907 Post Card, from The Oxford Pageant Series 1, shows Theo, a priest of Caen, who arrived in Oxford in 1110. The youth of his day gathered enthusiastically to listen to his new doctrines. He was the first notable scholar to settle in Oxford, and within a few years he had 60 to 100 clerks, the beginnings of the University of Oxford. Back in those days, the youth were monks.

Queen Elizabeth Laundry Kingston

I have three pictures of this laundry - getting hidden in the mists of time. This is the most interesting because it shows faces from the past - if you expand it.

I count 38 women, and in the background one man - possibly the boss or the cleaner.

The ladies all look towards the camera except one. They are pausing for a photograph - a nice change from all-day ironing!!!

Google translate from English to Hebrew and back

I wonder how the google translator will handle this ...

This postcard is from the Holy Land. We hope for peace not conflict. We pray for neighbours getting along not scared of each other.

 השכנים מסתדרת לא לפחד זה מזה.גלויה זו מארץ הקודש. אנו מקווים לשלום לא קונפליקט. אנו מתפללים עבור

The neighbors get along do not be afraid of each other. This postcard from the Holy Land. We hope for peace not conflict. We pray for.

I don't think the translator is the problem. It is the copy and paste of back to front writing caused the problems.  A lesson for future peace makers perhaps. Perhaps not :)

We Only Live Once Fido!

From 1969. Published by Bamforth in the "Taylor Tots" series, number K299.

It says on the back... I am having a lovely time. We have just got a kite. The weather is very hot. We are just getting ready to go down to the beach. I hope your well. Love Katie XXX

Buchaille Etive Mor

This 1969 postcard of the impressive Buchaille Etive Mor is in Scotland. This view is from the bridge over the River Etive on the Rannoch Moor Road.

I remember a spectacular train ride through Rannock Moor - about thirty years ago. We stopped at a platform with no buildings around. A few walkers got off to join the sheep, and as the train carried on I gazed out over many many miles of peaty moorland, heather, and darkening clouds, with a feeling of apprehension... Soon I would have to leave the cosy train and try to find somewhere to sleep for the night. The near horizontal rain meant that I would not be camping. I think I ended up in Inverness Youth Hostel.

The Great September Gale - 1903 - Weston-Super-Mare

I have three postcards dated Sept 10th 1903 from Weston-Super-Mare Sea Front. This one is Collapse of the Grand Parade. There is also Gap in the Weston Pier, and Breach in the Causeway.

The Illustrated London News featured even more pictures from Weston...

The Great September Gale - 'A Remarkable Effect at Weston super Mare: A Yacht Thirty Feet Long Carried Undamaged over the Promenade by a Big Wave' - - - 'Wrecked Bathing Machines at Weston super Mare ' - - - 'Part of Pier at Weston Super Mare Swept Away'

Riddlesdown Tea Garden

What better place for a cup of tea in the year 1906 but the Riddlesdown Tea Garden.

A fork in the road

We are at a decision point. Which route will you take?

As it happens both roads lead to the same place: Kenley Common. It now has an aerodrome with gliders where you can walk round the perimeter. Back in the days of this postcard I expect it was still a grazing common.

Which will you choose? Or have you walked far enough and will you go back with your friends to Kenley to enjoy some afternoon tea.

(Kenley is just South of Croydon and is a fine place for Londoners to go for a walk in the outdoors. Not only is there Kenley Common but also Riddlesdown.)

I'm sorry I can't dance

Lady: "Now Susan, I'm going to have a party soon
and I trust you will make yourself useful."

Susan: "I'll do my best ma'am
but I'm sorry I can't dance."

Posted in 1907.

Except Ye Lord Keep Ye Cittie Ye Wakeman Waketh in Vain

This Post Card was sent on September 11th 1905. The writer - now illegible - describes the scene... "This is an ancient custom still continues from the middle ages. The Hornblower blows the horn against the cathedral door by the Wakeman's House (now Mayor of the City) at 9 PM every night."

The ancient custom still continues over one hundred years after this postcard.We were in Ripon a couple of weeks ago, and although we did not stay long enough to see the Hornblower ...

we did see the City hall, where we read "Except Ye Lord Keep Ye Cittie Ye Wakeman Waketh in Vain"

Taking risks

I remember we would often stop and look out over Groby Pool from the ledge you can see on the postcard. One time it was frozen over and people were walking across it to the island but I didn't. I did want to go across but at a very early age I listened to the adults who said the ice might break.

South Nutfield, Mid Street

A postcard by F Frith Ltd posted on Dec 22nd 1905.

It Says

This Comes to wish you a happy Christmas. I thought you would like one of these cards. Nutfield is really a very pretty place. I know these Children in the road. They go to G W F's Sunday School...

Llandudno Promenade

The young man near the camera is rubbing his face with his hand. Perhaps he is tired or has something in his eye. He also has no hat. Everybody else has a hat. Where is he going? Where is he coming from? All lost! This was just a moment captured in time on a postcard. It was not supposed to be analysed - but every person in this scene had their own life and story and cares and none of it can be traced now.

Sir Joshua Reynolds - Seven Virtues

This postcard was posted in 1922, and Published by The Oxford Times Co, Ltd., Oxford.

The view is of the seven cardinal Virtues painted in 1787 from designs by Sir Joshua Reynolds. It comprises one of the windows at New College Chapel.

When a snap at the seaside was a Postcard

A trip to the Seaside was how we spent our summer holidays back then, and it was always sunny: Happy Days!

Nowadays, we have to go abroad to find a decent amount of sun, which the British seaside resorts do not provide anymore.

Photographer: Jacksons Faces Ltd., Weston-super-Mare.

Press image for enlargement.

BBC Promo Postcard with Michaela Strachan

It is a BBC promotional card from some time back called Small People. It features a young lad, who became very famous for his cheeky smile.

On the card are...

1. Magic Roundabout
2. Noddy
3. The Really Wild Show - with Michaela Strachan
4. Mixing various programmes.

You are a duck!!

Somebody has written "You are a duck!!" on the other side of this card. These really are ducks but I suspect the recipient was not. You are a duck must have been a term of endearment. It is one of many such terms ...
Cupcake
Cutesy-pie
Cutie
Darling
Doll
Duchess
Duck
Dumpling
Gorgeous
Heart
Honey-bun

They have no rhyme or reason - and are just warm sentiments people in relationships use with each other rather than the names everybody else uses.

Burnham Beeches

This one is dated 26/2/05 and is addressed to Miss Gertrude Palmer... as are quite a number of my postcards - most from Dick. He writes ...

Breathes there a man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
"This is my own, my native land!"

Dr G.
The required verse with the correct punctuation, and also the requested pc.
Con amore "Dick"

Don't mind how hard I work for Winnie

Before the war Agnes did children's illustrations using rosey cheeked dolls. During WWII she put her talent to the national good.

On the front is says 'Don't mind how hard I work for Winnie' and on the back it has Let us all strive without failing in faith or in duty - The Prime Minister.

That doll is writing lots of letters. I hope some eventually get sent.

You say "Mais Non!" and I say "Mais Oui!"

In Brussels there is a famous statue called Mannekin-Pis (Dutch for little man urinating - possibly). I have postcards, probably from the 1950s, of him dressed in a variety of uniforms.

In this postcard he is dressed like a Grenadier Guard.

In England we have the changing of the Guard, but in Brussels they have the changing of the costume of the Mannekin.

You say "Mais Non!" and I say "Mais Oui!"

H.R.H Princess Elizabeth

This postcard of Princess Elizabeth has been always there in my oldest postcard album., From The BBC recently I saw this ...

A "nationwide celebration" will be held to mark The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the government has announced. Events to mark The Queen's 60 years on the throne will take place in the first weekend of June 2012, with an extra bank holiday being created."


I have seen pictures of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. That was very big. 

For Queen Elizabeth the local council are making plans. At a street level, street parties have become popular again, so there could well be a lot of street parties. Whatever happens, it is good that people want to part of a local community again. Whatever the reason.

Boost Your Woofer

We went to the cinema to watch the last Harry Potter movie. As always my debit card did not work. It never does at the Vue cinema for some reason. It works everywhere else. But I did have just enough cash this time.

The film was good. What was disappointing was the range of free postcards they have nowadays. Nothing worth bringing home and putting on this blog. So here is a free cinema postcard from the early 1990s ... 

It is trying to get 16-20 year olds to open a TSB bank account and offered £30 of free Our Price CD vouchers. The TSB bank merges with Lloyds in 1995 and lost it's independent name. Our Price Records kept going until the late 1990s.

Caterham, White Hills

This Frith Postcard is on thin card, with an austerity time message "T.N.T" - To-day, Not to-morrow! - The Minister of Production.

(If you want to see a better version there is one on Frith's own site.)

Memorial Theatre(s) - Stratford on Avon

This memorial theatre was built in 1879 in honour of William Shakespeare, but destroyed by fire in 1926...
The new Shakespeare Memorial Theatre was built next to the fire ruin in 1932.

This postcard was sent on 17th August 1949. It says 'We paddled a punt to the amusement of all Stratford yesterday, and then saw Cymbeline... tremendous activity and much humour... On the dark side, but effective..."

Scottish Independence looks a lot more likely

The Wallace Monument commemorates William Wallace who beat the invading English in 1297 at the battle of Stirling Bridge - Stirling bridge can be seen from this high vantage point where Wallace is supposed to have watched the approaching English army.

The monument was completed in 1869 during a rise of nationalist feeling in Europe, with Scots from abroad and international figures like the Italian nationalist leader Garibaldi helping to fund the project.

The card was posted in 1911. It is a view that has hardly changed in 100 years. But Scottish Independence looks a lot more likely than it did back then.

Picking Violets in Tangerine Dresses

This postcard has the title: COTE D'AZUR - La cueillette des violettes à TOURRETTES-sur-Loup. To see the violet flowers under the olive trees you need to press and see the larger image. I have a dozen pictures from this set together in a box - each with bright sunlight and mediterranean colours - Cote D'Azure must mean Blue Coast. I would guess the postcard is from around 1970.

County Asylum, Lancaster

Opened in 1883, the buildings on this postcard are a familiar site from the M6. The large imposing buildings are Grade II listed and although empty for now will eventually be redeveloped for housing.

I have been reading Alan Bennett's autobiographical book "Untold Stories."  His mum was sent to one of the outbuildings suffering from depression - for assessment. At first the family was glad it was an annex and appeared to be on a smaller scale, but soon had misgivings and had her transferred elsewhere.