I've just created another blog

Just a brief blog entry here today to say that I've just started another blog ... this time for vintage magazines and books

The first entry, just uploaded, covers paperback novels from the 1960's/1970's Cult TV series, The Avengers and The New Avengers. More will follow over the next few days, weeks and months.

Sorry for the intrusion and I promise not to mention it again here ... normal vintage postcard blog updates will resume shortly ... but I'd love to know what you think of my new blog ;-)

Illustrated Songs - vintage postcards by Raphael Tuck

Having recently acquired two more postcards in the Illustrated Songs series by Raphael Tuck, I thought I'd share these cards today. These cards all date back to the early 1900's, although only one has been posted. My favourite is the first card of the angels, with its wonderful colour contrast between the white angels and the greenery of the forest. Unfortunately the postcards give no clue as to who the artists may have been. Occasionally I find a postcard that has no artist name but some 'trademark' qualities that suggest who the artist was, but nothing for me in this case - does anyone have any ideas?

Angels fold their wings and rest
In that Eden of the West

From the song 'By Killarney's Lakes and Fells', by E.Falconer, published by Raphael Tuck in the Illustrated Songs series 1158, Killarney, c.1904.

The last rays of feeling and life must depart
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart

From the song 'The Meeting of the Waters' by Lesley Nelson-Burns, published by Raphael Tuck in the Illustrated Songe series 1160.

Every rock that you pass by,
Verdure broiders or bespirits

From the song 'By Killarney's Lakes and Fells', by E.Falconer, published by Raphael Tuck in the Illustrated Songs series 1158, Killarney.

As always, 100's more vintage postcards on my vintage postcards web site

Sepia Saturday - Mr Fred Barnes

I recently came across a couple of sepia vintage postcards of Mr Fred Barnes (b. 1885, d.1938). They are interesting enough in their own right, but when I researched him on the web, I found a whole raft of entertaining facts to share.

It would seem that he was openly gay, which in that era was not widely accepted, and as a result he was shunned by friends, family and others in the entertainment business. Having been, at times, a moderately successful light entertainer, it seems though he was more famous, or perhaps infamous, for his antics outside of the entertainment field, being known to pick up sailors in his Rolls Royce, and even crashing whilst drunk with a sailor in the passenger seat, resulting in a prison sentence. But, some things never change, and perhaps there are parallels with some of todays "stars" who don't seem to be able to keep their private life out of the papers.

Mr Fred Barnes, published by Beagles Postcards, number 465 M.

Mr Fred Barnes, the Famous Light Comedy Star, published by Beagles, number 467 D.

As always, 100's more vintage postcards on my vintage postcards web site

Theme Thursday - Stretch

I thought this vintage postcard fitted quited well into this week's Theme Thursday theme of 'Stretch'. This is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland. The bridge links the mainland with Carrick Island and is 30 meters above the rocks below.

As always, 100's more vintage postcards can be found on my vintage postcards web site

Franco-British Exhibition 1908, vintage postcards

Inspired by this week's Sepia Saturday I have decided to re-post this blog post from 2010 ...

Over the few years that I've been collecting vintage postcards I have found a variety of different cards from the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition. The exhibition was held in the White City area to the west of central London, and had something in the region of 8 million visitors. Most of the buildings which made up the exhibition are long gone and during my research I was dismayed to find that the last remaining buildings were demolished and replaced by a shopping centre.

My favourite card is probably the first one, the bird's-eye view, as it gives a fantastic impression of the size and scale of the event 100 years on. The Flip-Flap card comes a close second, primarily for the crowd admiring it in wonder.

I notice from my reasearch that other attractions included an Irish village and a Sengalese village, amongst many others, so I'll be keeping an eye open for postcards of those.

Bird's-eye View, Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, published by Raphael Tuck, series number 3524

In Elite Gardens, Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, published by Valentine

Fine Art Palace, Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, published by Valentine

Court of Honour Illuminated, Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, published by Raphael Tuck, series number 3524

Palace of British Applied Arts, Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, published by Bonnett and Schum

Flip-Flap, Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, published by Valentine

Western Lagoon, Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, published by Valentine

French East Africa Palace, Franco-British Exhibition, 1908, published by Valentine

As always, 100's more vintage postcards can be found on my vintage postcards web site

Related books on amazon.com ...

    

Related books on amazon.co.uk ...

    

Vintage postcards of the Isle of Man

Once again my vintage postcard blog takes me to somewhere where I've never been ... this time it's the Isle of Man. It's probably somewhere I should have visted as, being situated in the Irish Sea between mainland Britain and Ireland, it's not that far away from me.

My favourite from this small batch is probably the Lighthouse with the steam ship in the distance, closely followed by the sailing ships at Bradda Head.

Laxey Wheel, Isle of Man, c.1905

This water wheel was built in 1854 to pump water from the mineshafts. It also goes by the name of "Lady Isabella", who was the wife of Charles Hope, the island's governor.

Douglas Promenade, Isle of Man, published by Horrocks and Co.

The reverse of the card contains the printed annotation that reads "This is one of 40 views given away free with Wood-Milne Shoeshines. 3d and 4 1/2d per tin. The Worlds Best Boot Polishes."

Lighthouse, Douglas Head, Isle of Man, c.1910, published in the Manx Camera Series

Bradda Head, Port Erin, Isle of Man, c.1903, published by Delittle, Fenwick and Co.

As usual, 100's of vintage postcards can be found on my vintage postcards web site

Sepia Saturday - vintage postcards of Bristol

For this week's Sepia Saturday posting I have quickly scanned in some sepia vintage postcards of Bristol that I came across a few weeks ago. I still have a backlog of some 300 to process but these ones managed to percolate their way to the top. They are quite curious postcards in that when I first looked at them they seemed a bit dull, but the more I looked the more was revelaed. I played around with the scanning process a little to see if I could enhance the contrast of the images but in the ended decided to leave them in their natural state.

All 3 postcards were published by Delittle, Fenwick and Co., York. They date back to 1905 and were all sent from Pollie to a Miss F Coulier over the space of 3 months (September - November 1905). Interestingly the messages on the reverse of the postcards get shorter with the one in November bearing just a few words.

Mya favourite is the Tramway Centre, although the Clifton Suspension Bridge also holds a certain charm.

Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, c,1905

Promenade, Clifton Downs, Bristol, c1905

Tramway Centre, Bristol, c.1905

As always, 100's more vintage postcards can be seen on my vintage postcards web site

Theme Thursday - Reveal

I thought the way these flowers opened up to REVEAL their inner beauty was appropriate for this week's Theme Thursday. This is a vintage postcard of poppies in a vase by an unknown artist.

100's more vintage postcards can be found on my vintage postcards web site

Vintage postcards of Birmingham, England

I've only ever come across a handful of vintage postcards of Birmingham, and whilst I don't expect them to be as abundant as places like London, Edinburgh, or seaside resorts, I'm always surprised at how few I find. The three I've included below have been chosen for their spectacular architecture and feeling of spaciousness. Only the last of the three postcards below has been posted so I can date that one to 1907. The one of the art gallery is, I suspect a little later, but probably not much, whereas the one of Victoria Square I'm not sure at all ... 1940's perhaps? This one is also a little curious in that the red car looks far too small compared to the surrounding buildings and almost as though it's been added in as an afterthought.

I must confess that Birmingham is not somewhere I've visited for many years now, and that's mainly to change trains or go to the exhibition centre. I wonder if any of these buildings are still standing, or if they are whether they are still clearly visible or crowded out by more modern buildings.

Art Gallery and Congreve Street, published by Valentine

Victoria Square, Birmingham, a Valesque postcard published by Valentine

Town Hall, Birmingham, c.1907, published by Milton

As always, 100's of postcards like these can be found on my vintage postcards web site - be sure to check back regularly as I have a batch of about 300 waiting to add when I can find the time

Vintage postcards of kittens by C.W.Faulkner

Over the last year I have posted a couple of blog entries featuring cats. The first was a vintage Christmas card of a black cat carrying a Christmas Pudding, closely followed by a selection of artist drawn vintage postcards of cats and kittens by E.L.Beckles. When I came across these last week I knew straight away what my next blog post would be.

These are wonderful vignette style, vintage postcards of kittens. They are all published by C.W.Faulkner. None of them have been posted so I'm afraid I can't tell you anything about the date, but if I had to guess I would say pre-1940. My favourite is probably the one called 'Is dinner ready?' These kittens seem so very well mannered ... when my cats are hungry they reach up my legs, or stalk around their empty plates.

Two Snowballs

Is Dinner Ready?

Expectation

Three of Us

As usual there are 100's more vintage postcards on my vintage postcards web site

Theme Thursday - Reason

I've not posted to Theme Thursday before but see no REASON not to ;-)

The REASON for sending these postcards is very clearly to wish a Happy Birthday to the recipient. Vintage birthday postcards can tend to be a bit garish at times but these 2 are just about right. I particularly like the intricate detail of first one.

100's more vintage postcards like these can be found on my vintage postcards web site

Sepia vintage postcards of Weymouth

My submission for this week's Sepia Saturday blog post features some sepia, vintage postcards of Weymouth, Dorset, dating back to around 1911. The postcards are all published by J.Welch and Sons of Portsmouth. Despite the 2nd and 3rd cards looking initially as though they were the same, there are actually subtle differences - I almost feel like I should launch a 'spot the difference competition'.

General view of Alexandra Gardens and Weymouth Bay, c.1911

I particularly like the bandstand on this one. Fortunately there are still many of these still standing in the UK, although it's not often you see them in use these days for their original purpose.

The New Pavilion, The Nothe and Weymouth Bay looing W, c.1911

The first of the 2 similar postcards has both sails in white but is missing the 2 pairs of people either side of the car.

The New Pavilion, the Nothe and Weymouth Bay looking West, c.1911

The second of the similar postcards has one of the ship's sails in black, and the mast seems to have disappeared, and has 2 pairs of people either side of the car which are missing from the first previous postcard. Can anyone spot any more differences, or perhaps suggest why this sort of thing might have happened - deliberate, or perhaps an alteration or error in the printing process?

As always, 100's more vintage postcards can be found on my vintage postcards web site

Vintage postcards of Egypt

Today's vintage postcard blog entry covers vintage postcards from Egypt, and in particular those featuring boats and ships on the Suez Canal or the River Nile. My favourite one is the first one as the card along with the message evokes an image in my mind of travel 100 years ago. My assumtion is that the person who wrote the postcard is on the ship and the note on the front of the postcard which tells us that Arthur has passed through the Suez canal, and has made his way down to Colombo, the capital of what was then called Ceylon but now Sri Lanka. My guess is that he would be travelling on to India or possibly even to the Far East.

Une vue du canal de Suez (a view of the Suez Canal), Egypt

Back of the postcard shows an advertisment for Michel Handras, Egyptian cigarettes, and a pink, six cents Edward VII stamp, so posted in the 1902 - 1911 timeframe.

Port Said, the Port and Office of the Suez Canal Co., Egypt.

This postcard is postally unused so unfortunately I have no idea about date - suggestions welcome. I love the subtle colours on this postcard, particularly the contrast between the pink hue of the low sky, and the sea.

The Suez Canal, at the Curve of El Guirsh, Egypt

Again this postcard has not been posted so no clues to the date. Similar postcards I've seen suggest the 1920's or 1930's.


I have recently acquired about 50 postcards of Egypt which I've scanned in but need to find a quiet hour or so to get them on to my web site. In the mean time you may like to see my other vintage postcards on my vintage postcards web site

Guest Heart Thursday - Cupid's Darts

Apologies for posting this entry 'out of season'. I'm usually a firm believer in keeping Christmas in December but when I found this vintage postcard yesterday I immediately thought of the Random Hearts blog. The heart is not exactly random but there's so much going on in the postcard it's not immediately obvious. The postcard dates back to 1906 and was published by J.Welch and sons of Portsmouth.

100's more vintage postcards can be found on my vintage postcards website

Vintage postcards of Dorset

Although I've just enjoyed a fantastic holiday on the west coast of France, one of my favourite holiday destinations remains Dorset in the UK. Fortunately we live close enough to visit much of it in a longish day trip. The great thing about Dorset is that there's so much variety within such a relatively small area. Probably my favourite parts are Swanage, which has retaind its attraction as a seaside resort without becoming to busy or modern, and also Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door for its fascinating geology. Corfe Castle is also a favourite, particularly when driving towards it at sunset when it's silhouetted against the evening sky.

The Blue Pool, near Wareham, published by Harvey Barton, number 39876

Branksome Chine, Bournemouth, published by J.E.Beale, number 171

Near Wimbourne, published by Meissner and Buch

Corfe Castle, by artist EWH, published by Valentine, c.1949

Lulworth Cove, by artist A.R.Quinton, published by J.Salmon, number 2825

See my vintage postcards web site for loads more vintage postcards of Dorset and other English counties ... in writing this blog entry I've just realised that I've mis-filed some Eastbourne postcards on my Dorset page rather than my Sussex page so will move these over to their correct page when I get a few minutes free

And finally for today's update, I was fortunate enough to be up in London yesterday when the Picture Postcard Fair was taking place. I managed to go along for a couple of hours after work and picked up a few goodies which will form blog entries in the days, weeks and months to come.

Sepia vintage postcards - anonymous people

My contribution to this week's Sepia Saturday post features a handful of sepia vintage postcards I have picked up over the years of anonymous people. I wish I knew more information about these cards but even looking up the photographer and studio name on the first one has yielded multiple possibilities. I thought the one published in the "reality series" would be easier to track down information, but alas a google search seemed to return just reality TV shows. Others like the rural/farm scene I've guessed as to what it is ... if anyone thinks it's not hop-picking please let me know. If I had to guess at a county I'd say Kent as I remember travelling there as a child to see relatives and there were lots of oast houses.

This week it's actually quite hard to pick a favourite as they all have different appeal. At a push I'd probably say that the rural scene one is my favourite as I've not come across any like this before, but I'm also quite taken by the lady on the bike and also the moustaches on the final postcard, whose size seems to be relative to the age of the person wearing it.

Man posing next to a stone pillar, photographed by P.Brierley, Empire Studio (possibly in Oldham?)

Rural scene of a family picking hops (I think)

Vignette style postcard of a lady on a bike

A family portrait, published in A&G Taylor's "Reality Series"

As always, 100's of vintage postcards can be found on my vintage postcards web site