Subscribers in 24 countries outside the UK!
p1 OFC PPM Feb16_template 08/01/2016 19:56 Page 1
February 2016
No. 442
£3.75
Inside this month
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sealed with a kiss
Donald McGill the one and only
Cockney rhyming
postcards
Diving to save a
great cathedral
‘Sweet and Sour’
Valentine’s Day
Croydon’s historic
airport
The weird, whacky
and macabre
Shepton Mallet beckons February 26/27
Proud sponsors of this issue. Toovey’s Paper Collectables Auction this month.
p2 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:25 Page 2
By royal command:
What the (royal) postman saw…
Skiing is much
better than golf!
Our thanks to Norwegian reader Nils Eileng for this
right royal find – a card personally written by a
Queen of Norway who was a grand-daughter of
Queen Victoria.
Queen Maud (1869-1938) was
the third daughter and fifth child
of Queen Victoria’s eldest son,
Albert Edward, Prince of Wales
(later King Edward VII) and
Princess Alexandra of Denmark.
Maud
married Prince
Carl of
Denmark, her
first cousin, at
Buckingham
Palace in 1896.
The couple
had met at
The King and Queen with Prince Olaf.
engagements
An RP by Wilse, published by
with the
J Beagles & Co, postally sent in 1913.
Danish
royal family.
Prince Carl was an officer in the Danish navy
and the family lived in Copenhagen until 1905. In
June 1905, the Norwegian parliament dissolved
She wrote
Norway’s 91-year union with neighbouring Sweden
this PC at
and offered the crown of Norway to Carl – who
Easter time,
accepted and adopted the name of Haakon VII.
Nils thinks
He arrived in Norway in November 1905 and
probably
was crowned at a ceremony in Trondheim in June
around 1906.
1906, the same year that Nils thinks this postcard
Nils said: “It was a great
was sent.
pleasure to find this text on the
Maud continued to visit England every year but
back of postcard depicting King
took an active role in Norwegian life, particularly
Haakon VII and Queen Maud of
enjoying winter sports and learning to ski.
Norway. Only rarely does a
Maud died shortly before her 69th birthday in
collector experience such a find!
London, after falling ill during a visit. King Haakon
“To have the text written in
rushed from Norway to be at her bedside. Norwegian
person by the Norwegian
newspapers were allowed to break the law forbidding
Queen makes this a genuine
publication on Sundays to inform readers of her
royal greeting postcard.
death. Her body was returned to Norway on board
“The photo no.4878
HMS Royal Oak. She was buried in Oslo.
(pictured right) is by famous
King Haakon won the love of his people and
Norwegian photographer Anders
played a key role in uniting the Norwegian nation
Beer Wilse (1865-1949).”
in its resistance to the Nazi invasion during
The complete wording is: “A
World War Two and the subsequent five-yearhappy Easter. Here we are on
long occupation of his country – he had
“skis” a splendid sport much better
threatened abdication if the government cothan Golf - for Jones from Maud.”
operated with the Germans.
Nils added: “Obviously coming
He died in 1957 aged 85 – having reigned
from England as a grandchild of
nearly 52 years.
Queen Victoria, she knew much
Fittingly, the couple’s son Olaf became a
about golf and after living about
champion ski jumper.
one to two years in Norway
One thing puzzling Nils is the name Jones that
became very familiar with the
Maud sent her card to – as it’s obviously not
famous Norwegian all round sport
common as a Christian name.
of skiing where probably 99% of
She may have just referred to the recipient by
our population focus on skis. I
his
or her surname or a nick-name, but Jones was
King Haakon VII in 1905.
have checked the signature and
clearly
someone familiar enough with the queen to
Real photographic. No
it is 100% genuine.”
receive this message. Anyone any ideas?
publisher.
2 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
p3 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 19:57 Page 3
IN THIS ISSUE
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Front cover:
A Mable Lucie
Attwell postcard
(number 5227),
published by
Valentine & Sons
and postally sent
from Sheffield to
Coventry in 1954.
Captioned ‘I send
you a good morning kiss – my dear,’ to tie
in with our Valentine’s theme this month.
4/5 Newsdesk
Collector left devastated by house
raid and other news
6 Viewpoint
The great diversity of postcards
8-10 Romance in the air?
Charlie Bush looks at ‘sweet and
sour’ valentine cards
12/13 Sealed with a kiss
Continuing the theme of love
14-18 Saving Winchester Cathedral
Jim Rackham reports on a
remarkable story
8
14
20-22 Viewscapes inside goldfish
bowls
Antony Edmonds continues his look
at the Pictorial Stationery Company
23-25 Postbag
Another three pages of your views
and letters
28-30 The genius of Donald McGill
Bernard Crossley reports on a
postcard maestro
31 World War One in postcards
Peter James speaks volumes about a
pictorial record of the war in Europe
32/33 Flying into aviation history
A brief look at the legacy of
Croydon Airport
36-39 Weird, whacky, ghostly and
macabre
Paul Foster on the stories behind
some bizarre postcard images
40/41 Card Chat
The monthly column by our ‘strictly
moderns’ man Mark Routh
42/43 Hammer-time
Our look at trends on eBay and the
auction scene
45-47 Clubscene
Reports from clubs around the
country
48-50 The language of postcards
From Cockney rhyming slang to
Esperanto
51 ...and the winner is...
PPM competition winners
54 What’s On?...
Our comprehensive fairs listings
55 Spotlight On...
Dorset dealers Julian and Sue Allen
32
36
56/57 Strictly classified
The small ads
58/59 Picture Postcard Puzzlers
Ten more unlocated PCs for you to
identify
Coming next month…
• Di Lawer
packs up her
troubles to
report on a
song from
The Trenches
(pictured right)
• WW1
postcards tell
a fascinating
Norfolk tale
• Malcolm Luty
looks at film
poster cards
from around
the world
• Alan Leonard shows that, when it comes to
postcards, a little research can go a long way
• Plus all your regular columns.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 3
p4-5 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 19:58 Page 4
Treasured postcards stolen in house raid
……Newsdesk……Newsdesk……Newsdesk……Newsd
Collector Andrew Jenkins has appealed to the
postcard community to watch out for prized cards
stolen in a daytime raid at his
home.
Intruders stole various goods
including two treasured albums
collected over 30 years by Andrew,
who lives near Grantham in
Lincolnshire.
Andrew (pictured) has
circulated descriptions of the
stolen PCs to all his contacts, as
detectives investigate a break-in while he was out.
Andrew said: “Obviously it’s devastating. A lot of the
cards were unique. I’ll never be able to replace them. I
have been collecting for more than 30 years since I
was a teenager, and the Lincolnshire cards for around
25 years after I moved here.
“I don’t think the thieves specifically took the
postcards. They took other things and just took them
too. But the cards are all traceable. I catalogued them
separately, including postmark dates.”
Andrew said the albums are standard six to a page
style in clear leaves but have home-made black card
interleaving pages. Both albums contained around 250
to 300 cards. They consisted of a:
•
Blue album, containing vintage cards of Grantham,
Bourne and surrounding villages in Lincolnshire
including Witham on the Hill, Colsterworth, Corby
Glen, Castle Bytham, Little Bytham, Folkingham,
Morton, South Witham. Many of the cards were
illustrated in “South Kesteven on Old Picture
Postcards” Reflections of a Bygone Age 2004.
• Red album, containing early Court size PCs
including an 1896 card of Nottingham, and several
Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee cards, plus artist
cards by B Cascella (Italian artist – with distinctive
‘wood block backs’) and art nouveau and Vienna
1898 Exhibition cards published by Phillip & Kramer.
Andrew said: “As you can imagine this is a great
loss to me. If you are offered any of these cards or
hear of them for sale, either as a whole or in batches,
please call the 101 helpline, quoting Lincolnshire Police
incident reference 378 of December 8.”
He advised collectors to:
• keep a separate list of PCs in your collection,
including identifying features, and the price paid for
insurance purposes
• check that your home contents insurance will cover
your collection
• don’t give your address to people you don’t know if
talking about your collection.
Another new fair – and it’s a bargain
Encouraging and welcome news that another new postcard fair is about to start.
Michael Goldsmith (pictured) has organised “the First Postcard Bargain Show” on Saturday
April 23 at Elleray Hall, Teddington, in south west London.
Michael said: “There isn’t much that is new in the postcard world is there? Fairs, auctions,
clubs, approvals, even the internet is over 20 years old now.
“But I am launching an entirely new kind of postcard event – a fair devoted entirely to
bargains, a postcard bargain show!”
And in a message to dealers, he said: “Now’s your chance to get rid of those extra boxes,
make some money and have some fun. Just to preserve the spirit of the event, we’ll set a limit of £5 a card on all
sales. Bargain ephemera is also welcome.” See PPM next month for more details.
We’ve
adopted
Millie!
4 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
Meet Millie, described as a ‘starlet mule’ by the Donkey
Sanctuary at Sidmouth, Devon – because she’s ‘ours.’
Millie (pictured in this modern PC published by The
Donkey Sanctuary) has been officially adopted by the
postcard community after £25 was found and left unclaimed
at the Postcard Traders’ Association last two-day fair at
Woking.
Dealer Jill Popplestone was asked to find a good
charitable home for the cash.
Jill said: “As no-one claimed the money, the PTA asked
me to give it to charity. By adopting Millie or one of her many
friends, the donkey sanctuary can continue its fantastic work
to help protect donkeys who are suffering all over the world.”
p4-5 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 19:58 Page 5
wsdesk……Newsdesk……Newsdesk……Newsdesk……
A fair wind...
Action from Birmingham
Photo: John Gallagher
Good news on the fairs front for attendances at
some of our biggest fairs.
Festival of Cards organiser Barrie Rollinson has put
up the “full” signs for dealers for the 2016 Festival of
Cards at Shepton Mallet, the country’s biggest fair,
and he is obviously hoping the buyers also turn out in
force for the event on February 26/27. See pages
26/27.
David Mouser reckoned that his two-day fair before
Christmas at Kempton Park was his “best ever.”
Dealers we spoke to went home happy too.
And David’s Wickham event on December 27 attracted 240 people
through the door, 180 of whom were paying customers.
While at the Birmingham National Motor Cycle Museum, Simon
Collyer, who organises the most fairs in the country, would have been
close to his ‘magic ‘ 400 figure if the dreadful floods which hit Cumbria so
hard had not thwarted about 20 members from the Red Rose Postcard
Club from their planned coach journey to the Midlands.
Simon was still delighted with the public turn-out at his flagship event.
York Card Expo 2016 organiser Jack Stasiak is
repeating the special discount offer he made last year to
dealers to encourage new blood and the return of old
friends to his two-day fair at York Racecourse on April
1/2. See pages 34/35.
Jack (pictured left) said: “We are again running our
new or returning dealer offer for those who have not
traded here over the last three years of a first or single
stall at half price.”
Apart from Shepton Mallet, February is a bumper month for major fairs.
See our Fairs Guide on page 54 for details.
Stamp of
approval for
Leeds PS
Full marks to Leeds Philatelic
Society for reaching out to
postcard collectors in an
attempt to boost membership
and mutual collaboration
between the two hobbies.
Leeds PS meets every
fortnight, with nearly every
meeting understandably being
focussed on stamps. But earlier
this winter, they tried something
different.
Past President Colin
Marshall said: “We decided to
have a postcard evening where
our members were requested to
bring some postcards from their
collections. We didn’t know
what kind of response this
would attract.”
The evening proved highly
successful with a surprisingly
high number of members
displaying, or using postcards to
support other displays.
Areas covered includes
views of Odessa, Ukraine,
before 1914; saucy seaside
postcards; Arnold Taylor, an
artist for Bamforth; views of
Leeds; and cards used as an
introduction of rail displays.
“We have already planned to
repeat the exercise. I think it
proves collectors are collectors
and we have common areas of
interest.
“There is no postcard club in
Leeds, the nearest being
Bradford and Huddersfield. Like
many clubs we do need more
members, so reaching out to
postcard collectors again may
be a way forward.”
Your emails to PPM
A major IT problem involving the server for the PPM website and email account means emails sent to and
from our company account have been wiped from our system.
If you emailed us before December 29 and have not received a response, please accept our apologies – and
email us again at info@picturepostcardmagazine.co.uk. The account is now working again normally.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 5
Viewpoint:
p6 PPM Feb16_template 08/01/2016 12:45 Page 6
Thanks for all your
letters – they’re
1st class!
by Mark Wingham
Ten months into taking on PPM, one of the most
pleasing aspects for me has been the vibrant and
varied range of letters and emails we receive for
Postbag, our letters pages.
Most months we have carried two or three pages of
your views on all things postcard related – be it
T
comments about articles and other letters, people
using the pages to request information or to just state
an opinion on an issue important to them.
This, of course, is entirely what the pages are for.
Last month’s contributions included a letter from the
retired grandson of Isle of Wight publisher WJ Nigh.
There was also a mini-debate on the pros and cons of
modern cards (though we were expecting a bigger
response); an American reader wishing there was as
much interest in postcards Stateside as there was in the
UK; a German contributor responding to an appeal for
information about a logo on the back of a postcard; and
amusing tales about the cost of PCs in a ‘junk’ shop and a
witty comment overheard at a fair.
This month, a Canadian reader reveals some more
North American connections with names associated with
the Battle of Waterloo.
There’s also an informative letter about different sized
postcards; a reader bemoaning the lack of a particular
type of plastic sleeve to put into postcard albums; and a
dealer thanking the postcard community for rallying to
support her during illness.
The letters, and the countries they have been sent from,
reflect both the type of talk which can be heard at any
postcard fair, on any weekend, anywhere in the country –
and the truly international appeal of PCs.
There’s no surprise about either of the above points. But
ALL COLLECTORS
ALL RISKS - NO EXCESS
REPLACEMENT COVER
STAMPS: POSTCARDS: COINS: MEDALS
& ALL OTHER COLLECTABLES
DEALER COVER ARRANGED
at premises and at Fairs
PUBLIC LIABILITY for SOCIETIES
STAMP INSURANCE SERVICES
CGI Services Limited (Dept 16PP)
29 Bowhay Lane, EXETER EX4 1PE
www.stampinsurance.co.uk
tel: 01392 433 949 fax: 01392 427 632
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
6 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
I, for one, find it quite re-assuring that it suggests that all
is well with our hobby. So for all your contributions to our
Postbag pages, we thank you. Please keep them coming.
Thank you too for the Christmas messages and cards
you kindly sent us, including this postcard-themed one
(pictured above/left) from Surrey dealers Tim and Jackie
Winter. And Jemma Jones, from Romsey, sent us a photo
of the new fairy on top of her Xmas tree!
Meet Nicholas Toovey
Many of you will recognise me from the photo above. For
those that don’t, I am Nicholas Toovey, head of the Paper
Collectables department at Toovey’s Auctioneers and
Valuers in Washington, West Sussex.
Although busy with the auctions, you may have also seen
me browsing at fairs, chatting to dealers and fellow
collectors. I love the united spirit of the postcard world and I
equally love being a part of it. Sharing the enthusiasm with
others is arguably the best part of the hobby - that and
looking at interesting postcards!
As I am part of the postcard community, sponsoring this
issue of PPM is an absolute pleasure.
On February 23, Toovey’s has our first auction of Paper
Collectables of 2016 (see advert on page 11). Perhaps you
could come along and meet me in person on one of our
viewing days?
Nicholas Toovey BA (hons), FRSA
p7 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:26 Page 7
Postcards
Stockport Town Hall
Ephemera, Postal History, Cigarette Cards
Saturday 13th February 2016
10am - 4pm
Dealers that have booked at the time of going to print:
M60 Junction 1
Northumberland
Shropshire
Skelmersdale
Barnsley
Staffordshire
Marchington
Coventry
Stockport
Chester
Huddersfield
Reddish
Birkinhead
Manningtree
Shiptonthorpe
Wolverhampton
Preston
Lincolnshire
Glossop
Derby
Bradford
Queensferry
Preston
Manchester
King Street
Town Centre
Greek Street
A6 Wellington Road
James Beadles
David Benson
Keith Bird
Alan Bower
Mark Bown
Simon Collyer
Mike Cremin
J. de Silva
Geoff Ellis
Ephemera Warehouse
Graham Farnell
Renzo Garavello
Richard Gee
Andrew George
Ann Gray
Vicky Greenwood
Kevin Harrison
Ken Hassell
Mike Heard
Judith Holder
Keith & Lynne Hough
Mike Humphries
Parking
Town
Hall
Anne Hurst
Bill Kirkland
Mick Liversidge
Campbell McCutcheon
Tony & Liz McKendrick
David Mouser
Philip Nevitsky
Martin O’Shea
Lyn & Michael Pearl
David & Kathryn Pierce
Mark & Tracy Powell
Peter Robards
Brian Roper
John Ryan
David Seddon
Ralph Stuttard
Phil & Thelma Vass
Alec Wallace
Glossop
Stone
Easingwold
Ruardean
Sutton-on-Trent
Wareham
Manchester
Darlington
Prestbury
Northwich
Nantwich
Clun
Liverpool
Bromborough
Liverpool
Southport
Burton-on-Trent
St Helens
Plus others to confirm bookings:
apologies if you have not been listed
*All Day Buffet
*Easy Loading
*90 stalls
*On Site Parking
*Wheelchair Access
*Two minutes from Motorway
*Three minutes from Railway Station
We look forward to seeing you - for further details and
booking contact:
KSG Promotions
Telephone: Ken Hassell 01457 854543
Don’t forget - Leeds, Pudsey Civic Hall
on 13th March and 15th May
Sweet dreaming of postcards!
PPM reader Rodney Bett could
be forgiven for literally going to
sleep thinking of postcards.
As you can see from the
photos, the bed at his Lincoln
home is adorned with pillows
and a duvet with the reverse of
a PC design.
And, just in case this isn’t
enough, he’s got a postcard
cushion for relaxing in front of
the television too!
“Can it get any better than this?”
Rodney asks.
after a Sussex reader sent an
image of a doormat in a postcard
design. This appeared in our
October 2015 issue.
We wonder what else you can
come up with?
Now there’s a challenge! Rodney
was inspired to send us these photos
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 7
p8-10 PPM Feb16_template 07/01/2016 20:37 Page 8
Not all Valentine’s Day cards are
sweetness and light – so called
‘vinegar valentines’ often had
entirely different messaging, as
Charlie Bush reports below.
For centuries,
Valentine’s Day
has been a day
dedicated to the
celebration of
romance and
true love.
There is an interesting connection
between the history of Valentine’s
Day and postcards.
Some historians believe that
Valentine’s Day evolved from
Lupercalia, an ancient pagan festival
celebrated in mid-February and
dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god
of the forest, plains and fields.
As a part of Lupercalia activities,
young men would draw the names of
young women from a decorated box.
These couples would then be
considered to be romantic partners
for the following year. Eventually,
Lupercalia became known as a
celebration for lovers.
A typical valentine postcard c. 1905, full
of lace and ribbon and of course a large
heart. Artist: Ellen Clapsaddle. Publisher:
Koch & Palm (Kopal).
As Lupercalia became
Christianised, it took on the name of
Saint Valentine, a catholic cleric who
lived during the reign of the Roman
Emperor Claudius II.
Unfortunately, Valentine and the
Emperor did not share the same
position concerning the institution
of marriage.
Claudius believed that family
men made poor soldiers and issued
an edict forbidding Roman soldiers
from marrying.
In open defiance of this order,
Valentine continued to perform
marriage ceremonies for anyone
who wished them, including Roman
soldiers.
For this, Valentine was
imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Sweet and Sou
Sentimental verse was standard on early
Valentine PCs. This one reads: “As I
fashion this Heart of for-get me-nots,
There came a thought sublime, Twas that
these tiny bits of true blue dots, Were fit
for thee, ‘Oh be my valentine’.” Unknown
artist and publisher.
While incarcerated, Valentine fell in
love with his jailer’s blind daughter
and ultimately restored her sight.
On the day of his execution,
Valentine sent a last letter to his
beloved which he signed: “From
your Valentine.”
This is considered to be the
original Valentine’s Day card.
The first poetic valentine card is
attributed to Charles, Duke of
Orleans, who in 1415, while a
prisoner in the Tower of London
following the Battle of Agincourt,
wrote romantic rhyming verses to his
wife in France for Valentine’s Day.
Who among us has not received
a poetic Valentine’s Day card that
included some version of the old
English nursery rhyme: “The rose is
red, the violet’s blue, the honey’s
sweet, and so are you. Thou art my
love and I am thine, I drew thee to
my Valentine. The lot was cast and
then I drew, and Fortune said it
should be you.”
In the mid-1600s, the London
diarist Samuel Pepys wrote of
elaborate Valentine’s Day gift
exchanges among members of the
wealthy upper class.
By the 1700s, the middle class
had adopted this practice of
8 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
exchanges, not with expensive gifts
but with Valentine’s Day cards.
These early cards consisted of
valentine wishes and poems
handwritten on ordinary writing paper.
For the poetically challenged, there
were “Valentine Writers” - printed
booklets that offered a standardised
stock of romantic verses.
As the popularity of Valentine’s
Day and valentine cards grew,
commercial printers began to
produce elaborately decorated heavy
stock paper that could be used for
valentine messages.
These sheets of paper were often
adorned with ribbon, lace and even
illustrations of cupids, birds and
hearts. The sender of the valentine
would then add his own personal
message or poem, fold the paper
and secure it in an envelope.
Until 1840, valentines were
almost always hand carried to their
recipients. However, with the advent
of the English Penny Post, all that
changed and many valentine cards
found their way into the mail.
In 1840, Esther Howland, an
American student at Mount Holyoke
College in Worcester, Massachusetts,
received a fancy valentine card in the
mail from England.
Howland was so impressed with
her English Valentine’s Day card that
within a year, she had assembled a
staff and was producing elaborate
hand-made valentines which her
father sold at his book and
stationary store.
Cupid, son of Venus, was initially
pictured as a handsome young boy. Over
time he took on the form of a chubby
cherub. Printed in Germany. Publisher
and artist unknown. Postally sent 1911.
our Valentines
p8-10 PPM Feb16_template 07/01/2016 20:37 Page 9
Howland soon became known as
the Mother of the American
valentine. Howland’s Valentine’s Day
cards, while beautiful and extremely
well crafted, were not cheap.
They sold for as much as 500
dollars each. This led a New York
Times newspaper editor to write:
“There seems to be no limit to the
lengths to which wealthy and foolish
lovers may go.”
By the late 1800s, printing
methods had advanced to where
Valentine’s Day cards could be mass
produced and were available at
modest prices.
At around the same time,
postcards made their debut. Right
from the start, fancy chromolithographic
valentine postcards produced in
Great Britain and Germany were as
ornamental as regular Valentine’s
Day cards but were much cheaper to
buy and to mail.
While most of these postcards
followed the same basic designs of
traditional Valentine’s Day cards, not
all valentine postcards were sweet
and sentimental.
In 1898, New York printer John
McLaughlin produced the first in a
series of acerbic valentine postcards
that would become known as
“vinegar valentines.”
He took his lead from cartoonist
Charles Howard, who in the 1870s
designed caustic illustrations for
cheap pulp fiction magazines known
as penny dreadfuls.
An extremely unusual valentine postcard
featuring black children. Blacks in this
era were rarely portrayed in such a
flattering manner. Artist: Frances
Brundage. Publisher unmarked but
probably Samuel Gabriel Company of
New York. Used 1910.
McLaughlin’s vinegar valentines
poked fun at almost every person,
occupation and situation throughout
the social and economic classes.
These vinegar valentine postcards
were typically sent anonymously. No
one was immune from their sting.
The first vinegar valentine
postcards were insulting but still
light-hearted and funny.
Later versions became
progressively more harsh and
vindictive in nature. It wasn’t long
before these vinegar valentines
came under both religious and postal
service scrutiny.
In 1900, the Chicago post office
citing the Comstock obscenity laws,
rejected more than 25,000 vinegar
valentine postcards as being “unfit”
to be transported through the United
States mail. While vinegar valentine
postcards can still be found today,
their popularity remains primarily
with collectors.
During the ‘Golden Age’ of
postcards, (1900-1920), valentine
postcards outsold other
commercially available valentines by
more than three to one.
As chromolithographic
techniques improved, valentine
postcards became more elaborate
and attractive. They remained cost
effective to buy which enabled the
general public to send them in great
quantities.
By 1915, valentine postcards
were beginning to reflect the
changing role of women in society.
Influenced by the suffrage
movement, postcards in general and
valentine postcards in particular,
depicted women as being more selfreliant, demanding an active rather
than the traditional passive role in
their lives, including their choices
regarding romantic encounters.
As workplace and voting equality
for women advanced, more and more
young women felt free to take the
initiative to express their romantic
feelings towards young men by
sending them a valentine postcard.
During this time, other social
restrictions were being lifted. It
became acceptable to send
valentine wishes not just to lovers
Pairs of birds are often pictured on
valentine cards because in medieval
Europe birds were thought to first mate
each year on February 14.Unknown
artist. No publisher.
An original penny dreadful pulp magazine
from which vinegar valentines evolved.
Both the fat and the thin, the pretty and
the ugly felt the sting of the vinegar
valentine. Artist: Unknown. Publisher:
Miller Art Company. Used 1923.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 9
p8-10 PPM Feb16_template 07/01/2016 20:37 Page 10
Certain personalities such as the nosey
busybody proved to be an easy target for
vinegar valentines. Artist: Unknown.
Publisher: Unknown. Used 1911.
The “Don’t” vinegar valentine postcards
were one of the few vinegar valentine
series that did not feature rhyming verse.
Artist “H”? No publisher details.
but to family members, friends,
neighbours and even pets.
During World War One, the
supply of beautiful German
chromolithographic postcards
dwindled to a trickle.
With the dawning of the 1920s,
the postcard craze faded, and lighthearted romantic fantasies were
superseded by the harsh realities
of economic woes and renewed
global hostilities.
Commercial mass-produced
Valentine’s Day cards by such giants
as Hallmark and Norcross again
came into favour. Particularly popular
were the cheap cut-out valentines
that we all exchanged as children in
elementary school.
Today, more than one billion
Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged
world-wide every year, making
Valentine’s Day second only to
Christmas in terms of number of
specialty cards sent.
Ironically, women now purchase
more than 80% of all Valentine’s Day
cards. Sadly, valentine postcards
account for only a small minority of
valentines sold.
However, for collectors, the sweet
and sour valentine postcards of the
first two decades of the 1900s
remain as popular today as they ever
were more than a century ago.
Prior to the suffrage movement, women
were depicted on valentine postcards as
passively awaiting Prince Charming’s
affections. Artist and publisher unknown.
Postally sent 1907.
As women became more politically
powerful, valentine postcards appeared
that took a strong pro-suffrage stance.
Artist: Probably Grace Drayton.
Publisher: Unknown.
Although legitimate physicians were
generally spared the wrath of vinegar
valentine humour, quacks were not. No
artist or publisher details.
A vinegar valentine postcard that
expressed typical anti-suffragette
sentiment. Artist and publisher unknown.
Used 1916.
10 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
As roles changed, women took charge of
their lives, including making active
choices about their suitors. Publisher:
Raphael Tuck. Used 1919.
p11 PPM Feb16_template 07/01/2016 18:17 Page 11
Durham
Postcard, Cigarette Card & Stamp Fair
THE WEST LONDON
POSTCARD CLUB FAIR
Durham County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL
Saturday February 6th, 2016, 10am–3pm
Entrance fee: Adults £1.00
Free entry for accompanied children
To date, the following dealers have booked to attend the fair:
George Nairn, Clive Torrens, Mick Liversidge,
Alan McKinnell, Keith Davies, Mike Fineron,
Charlotte Ramsey, Alec Wallace, Andrew Stoves,
Bernard Fairbairn, James Beadle, Andrew George,
Roger Drury, Jack Stasiak, Peter Hasselby,
John Varden, Neil Collin, Mike Heard, Mike Lewis,
John Hutchinson and Gareth Burgess
Ample free parking. Easy access off the A1(M).
Within walking distance of the railway station.
Disabled access.
Next Fair:
Saturday 16th July 2016
Further details available from Gareth and Fiona Burgess
Bass Rock Fairs Tel: 01368 860365
“WE’RE ALL LOOKING OUT FOR YOU”
at our new venue of
TEDDINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH
Church Road,Teddington,TW11 8PF
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20th 2016
With 28 stalls of postcard & paper collectables.
Buy from (and sell to) top dealers from London, Surrey, Yorks,
Devon, Essex, Isle of Wight, Sussex, Lincs, Northants, Kent.
*10.15am-4pm *Refreshments *Admission £1.00
EASY BY RAIL - Teddington (on Kingston loop from Waterloo).
EASY BY BUS - 33, 281, 285, 481, R68 and X26 (Teddington Broad
Street) From Fulwell, Hammersmith, Hampton Court, Heathrow,
Hounslow, Isleworth, Kew, Kingston, Richmond, Sutton,Tolworth,
West Croydon.
EASY BY ROAD - From M3/A316.
Enquiries: 01372 725883 or 01784 483009
TOOVEY’S
Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Sale of Paper Collectables
comprising Stamps, Postcards,
Cigarette Cards, Autographs,
Photographs & Ephemera
Tuesday 23rd February at 1.30pm
Viewing: Sat 20th February 9.30am to 12noon
Mon 22nd February 10am to 4pm
and on the sale day 10am to 1pm
For more information
please contact Nicholas Toovey
Tel: 01903 891955
E-mail: auctions@tooveys.com
Pictured left ~ a French Art Nouveau lithographic
postcard with a design for a soirée programme
by Alphonse Mucha, estimate £120 -180.
Pictured right ~ one from a set of six postcards
by Raphael Kirchner from the 'Les Cigarrettes
du Monde' series, estimate £100 -150.
Spring Gardens, A24 Washington, West Sussex RH20 3BS
www.tooveys.com
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 11
Sealed
with a
kiss...
p12-13 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:28 Page 12
We continue the Valentine’s theme
with a look at a subject which
used to fascinate and perhaps
even titillate some Edwardian
postcard collectors – courting and
kissing couples.
A number of publishers, including
Bamforth of Holmfirth and John
Welch and Sons (JWS) of
Portsmouth, no doubt directly
targeted couples, perhaps
encouraging them to buy postcards
to use as a way of advancing
blossoming young romances and
help to get them in the mood.
Here are just a few examples –
including two featuring animals
unwittingly getting in on the kissing
act by planting a couple of smackers
of their own!
A heart-shaped real photo PC captioned ‘A Pressing Engagement
Detains Me,’ published by EA Schwerdtfeger & Co of London,
postally sent in 1910 from Winchester to Miss Maud Cummins of
Midhurst imploring her to send a card back to the sender.
Moo-ve over! Unused PC published by
Cynicus of Fife, captioned
‘You will kiss your only darling
When the Cows-lips come again.’
Another Bamforth PC, this one
captioned “Hold on! Half time!” as the
passion in the railway carriage clearly
has the fascinated and large-nosed
(Nosey Parker?) onlooker flustered.
This card was sent from ‘A’ in SW
London in 1908 to Miss M Newbery at
St Ives, saying: “Dear M. Is this the
pleasure of long journeys.”
“Behave yourself Sandy,” said the
woman on the ground in this
caption as she gets some attention
from a hog – while the kilted Sandy
looks on bemused in this Bamforth
and Co PC sent to and from the
USA in 1912.
12 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
A Christmas greetings card, with
good luck horseshoe, sent to a Mr
A Balchin of Horsham with a
December 25 1907 Horsham
postmark. There was no message
on the back – perhaps the verse
on the front was enough?
‘Here is a Xmas Merry & Free
A Man, a Girl & a Mistletoe Tree.’
p12-13 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:28 Page 13
A John Welch (JWS) card captioned
“After the first lesson.” M.M writes on
the front: “How does this seem,” and
continues her message on the back,
perhaps flagging up a forthcoming
happy event. “Now we shan’t be long.
This is alright isn’t it? Hoping to receive
a PPC soon.” The card is sent from
Birmingham to a Mr J Roger of the
Grocery Department of the Cooperative Society Ltd, Methil, Fife.”
Another JWS PC “Caught by a
camera” posted from Plymouth in
1904 with two couples caught in the
act, in one of a series staged by the
Portsmouth photographer in his
numbered series (this one 2471).
Sent to a Miss Fairchild of
Oakhampton, the writer, who signed
off with a single initial, says only: “The
last time you were out with __ .”
Bamforth produced this postally
unused PC. The verse says:
‘Beside the cooling fount she
stands And holds him prisoner
with her hands,
For strange it is – one never knows
What hearts will do when
love o’erflows;
Whilst he, with unresisting bliss
Is held captive by – a kiss.’
Come treasure hunting at the
Bloomsbury
POSTCARD,
BOOK & EPHEMERA FAIR
GALLEON SUITE, ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL, LONDON WC1H 0DG
All fairs feature an absolute wealth of items for sale, with some of the
country’s very best dealers - come see for yourself!
DATES 2016
ALL DATES SUNDAYS
January 31, February 28, March 20, April 24,
SUMMER FAIR May 29th
June 26, July 31, August 28, September 25, October 30,
November 27, December 18
OPEN 9.30–3pm
DETAILS: www.etcfairs.com
Tel: Kim 01707 872140
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 13
p14-18 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:29 Page 14
Using the superb postcard images of Charles Edward Shuttleworth Beloe, DR JIM RACKHAM tells the
fascinating story of how this historic building was saved....in no small part due to the tenacity and skills of
diver William Walker.
How William Walker saved
Winchester Cathedral
Diver became a national hero
Most people have heard of Winchester Cathedral,
which those the wrong side of middle age may
remember was popularised in the song which begins
‘Winchester Cathedral, You’re bringing me down’ by
The New Vaudeville Band in 1966.
Many have come to Winchester and have visited this
marvellous structure.
Some, also, may have heard of the work of the diver,
William Walker, who is regarded by many to have ‘saved’
the cathedral around the turn of the last century.
This is because of the extensive work that he carried
out below the water level, or table, as civil engineers call
it, to support the structure
and underpin the
foundations as part of
extensive works carried out
to stabilize the building.
We are also indebted to
the photographers of the
day for capturing images of
this work for posterity, and it
is through the lens of one of
the more notable local ones
that I have chosen to
illustrate this article, namely,
Charles Beloe.
I am indebted to Gwilym Roberts and Thomas Telford
Limited, for giving me permission to use his paper on
How a Diver saved Winchester Cathedral, which
appeared in Vol 166 of Engineering History & Heritage in
August 2013.
Charles Edward Shuttleworth Beloe (pronounced beelow) was one of the best and most prolific photographers
of Winchester and the surrounding district.
Most of his cards were published between 1904 and
1914, but he is known to have produced a few cards
after this. He lived in Winchester and installed a dark
room in his house, from where he produced his picture
postcards for sale to local stationers.
People recalled this tall figure with a beard pedalling
his bicycle with his cumbersome camera equipment
strapped over his shoulders setting up his tripod in the
neighbourhood.
He obviously used some of the best equipment
available, as his images are so clear and detailed, and
would often stage-manage the people in his scenes to
make the most picturesque of images.
He would capture for ever those local events and
street scenes which were not deemed profitable enough
for the large postcard publishers, and so it is with many
of the views that he took of the cathedral whilst it was
14 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
undergoing restoration at this time.
The more common views of the cathedral taken by
Beloe after the restoration are relatively similar to how we
would recognise it today, and one is shown below.
Winchester is an old Roman settlement with evidence
of old roads and buildings beneath today’s city centre.
The original Saxon cathedral was located just north of
the present cathedral and had its origins in the seventh
century - when England’s pagan monarchy first became
Christian. An initial Christian church was built on the site,
but by 676 this small church had become a cathedral and is now known as the Old Minster. It was the burial
place of some early kings,
1
including Alfred the Great
and King Canute.
Following the 1066
invasion, the Old Minster
was demolished and
building of the current
cathedral was begun
alongside the original
building in 1079.
Unfortunately, however,
the cathedral was really built
in the wrong place. The
ground conditions were
most unsuitable for the location of such a massive
structure but which was, of course, not appreciated when
the site was chosen fourteen centuries ago.
The problem was that the building was in many areas
on a compressible layer of peat. Also, the water table is
high and varies considerably with the seasons, and this
softens the material and increases the likelihood of
settlement.
Problems first manifested themselves during
construction and it was realised the foundations could not
support the full weight of the structure as originally
designed. Two towers at the corners in the original design
had to be omitted.
Despite these problems, construction of the new
cathedral was sufficiently advanced to permit its
consecration in 1093 at a great ceremony attended by
most of England’s bishops and abbots.
However, in 1107 the central tower collapsed and had to
be rebuilt a few years later, although its collapse was
blamed by some on the previous burial of William Rufus
(William II) directly under it in 1100!
Throughout the following centuries, settlement occurred,
walls leaned out, and much of the Norman round-arched
construction was rebuilt.
The serious state of the condition of the structure was
p14-18 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:29 Page 15
A plan of the cathedral showing the construction phases and the outline of the Old Minster
(not a postcard image, courtesy of G Roberts).
2
3
reported to the Dean
and Chapter in 1905 by
the cathedral architect
Mr JB Colson. He
stated in his report that
he in no way wished to
be alarmist but he felt it
his duty to invite the
serious consideration
of these matters, and
estimated that the work
would cost no more
than £3,000 - it
subsequently cost
£113,000 and took
seven years!
Thomas Jackson,
diocesan architectural
adviser and one of the
most eminent architects of the day, was consulted. After
some trial holes were dug, and it became obvious that
underpinning was needed, the advice of the eminent
consulting engineer Francis Fox was sought.
There were particular problems with the retrochoir and
south transept. Although it was agreed that underpinning
4
of the structure was needed, Jackson and Fox agreed
that it would be ‘courting disaster’ and could ‘bring the
whole structure into ruin’ if it wasn’t shored up and
strengthened in critical areas first. The scaffolding and
shoring was extensive and is beautifully illustrated by
Beloe in his postcard images – see images 2-4.
It is of interest that the now commonly used technique
of cement pressure grouting (using a liquid cementitious
mixture) was also adopted to fill up the voids and cracks
in the walls to make them stronger.
At that time it was a relatively unknown technique
which had been used in the construction of London’s
Northern and Central Line tube railways - for which Fox
had been the consulting engineer.
Fox subsequently reported during the works that the
first step in the process was to force in compressed air
‘to blow out the accumulated dust of ages, also to
dislodge the owls and martins, the rats and mice, and
their nests and in effecting this we dislodged swarms of
bees, proving that the masonry was ‘honeycombed’ in
more ways than one.‘
He continued: ‘Two owls refused to come out, and
consequently were grouted in.’ I am not sure that this
practice is quite in line with modern thinking!
When all these preliminaries had been completed it
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 15
p14-18 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:29 Page 16
5
6
7
was considered safe to begin the
underpinning of the walls, and a start was
made in January 1906. A small pit was first
dug in the south-east corner where the
distortion was greatest.
Initially all went well - and it was
discovered that the peat had been
compressed so much by the weight of the
structure that it was virtually impervious and
so it was thought that the water would not
cause problems, but, when the excavation
approached the bottom of the peat layer,
water burst through and powerful pumps
had to be used to enable the work to
continue.
However, they quickly realised they had
to rethink because the water had silt in it,
and there was a danger that pumping out
the silt from under the foundations could
make the settlement worse.
They had no option but to change the
methodology and use a diver, and this was
the starting point of how William Walker
became a legend. Image 5 shows him in his
diving suit with his signal rope attached and
his air line curled up on the floor.
Francis Fox, the consultant to the Dean
and Chapter of Winchester Cathedral for the
restoration works, was familiar with diving
and stated that ‘It was only after trying on
my drawing board every possible device one
after another which I had to abandon as
useless and impractical that I was induced
to call in the aid of a diver.’
He must have felt almost embarrassed,
because he added: ‘The mere idea of diving
under the green grass sward of the Close
seemed at first absurd.’
The firm of Messrs Siebe Gorman was
contacted and two of its most experienced
divers were sent to Winchester, including
Walker, who subsequently remained on the
site for five-and-a-half years to carry out the
underpinning operation.
At that time in 1906, diving had to be
undertaken dressed in a cumbersome suit
weighing 14 kg to which were attached lead
weights on the front and back, each
weighing18 kg, plus thick lead soled boots
weighing 9 kg each and a helmet also
weighing 9 kg which, together with the other
equipment, made a total weight of nearly 90
kg (200 lb); a colossal amount, which Beloe
noted in the caption of one of his postcards
(Image 6).
It was also necessary for there to be a
number of attendants to operate the pump
that supplied air to the diver, to control the
movement of the air line and to ensure that
the signal rope that was attached to the
diver’s chest was always taut.
Here we can appreciate further images of
the diver at work recorded by Beloe and it is
interesting to note that some images had the
year date in the caption but that, as the work
16 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
8
9
10
The diver and assistant in front of
the stationary steam engine.
p14-18 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:29 Page 17
Even though
13
up to 150 other
workmen were
A diagrammatic also involved,
Walker quickly
view of the
achieved
diver at work
(not a postcard popular national
image,
renown as the
copyright with
key figure in the
kind permission
preservation
of the Chapter
of Winchester). operation.
He worked in
these atrocious
conditions in
black peaty
water for two
four-hour shifts
a day, which
allowed time for
two three-hour
periods under
water.
lasted into a new year, Beloe retouched the plate and
Walker was a
issued a new version - see images 7-9.
robust man of
A lovely picture was taken by Beloe of the diver in front
considerable stamina and had entered the Royal Navy as
of a stationary steam engine, which was obviously used
to provide power for some aspect of the works – probably a boy entrant and qualified as a diver, but in 1892 he left
the Navy to work for Siebe Gorman.
for air or water pumping machinery – see image 10.
He rarely lost a day’s work through ill health whilst
Initially, a trench had to be dug by the builder adjacent
doing this difficult work - which he attributed to the pipe
to the wall to be underpinned and the diver, working by
which he regularly smoked in silence between shifts, and
touch in the water that was so turbid that not even the
claimed that it preserved him from the harmful effects of
strongest electric light could penetrate it, had to finish the
working in ground which was thought might be infected
excavation down to the gravel layer.
by 900-year-old graves!
They then excavated a drift (a small tunnel) under the
Virtually all the cathedral’s foundations were renewed
existing wall which, depending on the thickness of the
by Walker and his colleagues.
wall, could result in a horizontal excavation some 5-7m.
Some 235 excavations were dug and filled and it was
They also had to remove the beech logs that had been
estimated that Walker had handled 25,800 bags of
placed there when the walls had been built - often having
concrete. In addition some 114,900 concrete blocks and
to resort to sawing them into short lengths to do this.
900,000 bricks were used in the underpinning operation.
The diver then completely covered the gravel layer
Originally it had been anticipated that only the
with a layer of sacks filled with concrete. These were
retrochoir and south transept would need underpinning,
packed tightly and carefully trodden into place before
but, in December 1906, there was a collapse of some of
being slit open. Further layers of bags were then laid on
the vaulting of the nave’s south aisle which, it was
top of the first course, each being slit open before being
concluded, was caused by subsidence of the foundations
covered by bags from the next layer.
of the wall - causing it to lean outwards and drawing the
Finally the bags were grouted to ensure they became
roof vaulting with it.
a solid mass of concrete. These made an effective seal
This led to the recommendation that the nave’s south
that stemmed the flow of water from the gravel which
wall should also be underpinned, but Fox later concluded
enabled the excavation to be pumped dry, allowing other
that new buttresses would be sufficient to support to the
workmen to complete the underpinning of that section
wall. Ten new buttresses were built, and were sponsored
with blocks while Walker moved on to another excavation
by various organisations. The Mothers Union sponsored
– see image 11.
the construction of two – see images12 &13.
12
In addition to the underpinning, the famous west front
was refaced and put in a good state of repair, although
underpinning here was not needed, and other parts of
the structure were also repaired.
By Christmas 1909, much of the scaffolding was being
removed from the tower and, two months later, the north
transept was completed.
Work continued on the south transept, however, and
was not completed until April 1911, and so ended this
mammoth task.
The cost of the work, as previously mentioned, was
grossly underestimated, and was an enormous sum at
that time. There was no state help, such as the lottery
11
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 17
p14-18 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:29 Page 18
funding or professional fund raisers of today, and much
credit must go to the Dean and Chapter through their
persistent efforts - which included newspaper appeals,
selling artefacts made from the seven-centuries old
beech logs (image 14), publicity events and a national
pageant in 1908.
This was supported by voluntary subscriptions,
generous donations from many private and corporate
benefactors, and also from the King.
Occasionally, when the funds dried up, work had to be
suspended temporarily - simply because there was no
money to pay the workmen.
Following the completion of the renovations, a weeklong Festival of Thanksgiving took place, commencing
with a service on St Swithun’s Day, 1912 (Sunday, July
14), attended by King George V and Queen Mary,
together with other foreign royalty and senior clergy, at
which the sermon was preached by the Archbishop of
Canterbury, Dr Randall Davidson, a former bishop of
Winchester.
A few years later, during The Great War, a memorial
tablet to the work done by Walker, Jackson and Fox was
placed on the cathedral’s west wall. Fox was knighted
and Walker was made a member of the Royal Victorian
Order, an honour in the gift of the sovereign, but, sadly
he died of pneumonia in October 1918 during the
Spanish flu epidemic.
There are now recent busts of William Walker in the
cathedral to commemorate his achievement.
Although work is currently being undertaken on the
Lincoln
Postcard Fair
Sunday 14th February
Bishop Grosseteste University
Lincoln LN1 3DY
14
A stand to entice buyers to purchase items to help
the restoration fund, although the attendant doesn’t
look that cheerful!
cathedral and will inevitably continue at times in the
future, we owe a debt to Jackson, Fox and Walker, who
saved the cathedral for the nation, and whose names are
included alongside those of the cathedral’s founders and
benefactors commemorated at the annual festival held in
the town on St. Swithun’s Day.
I would like to thank David Fry for use of his research
notes and some of his postcard images. I have also
referred to the booklet ‘William Walker, the diver who
saved Winchester Cathedral,’ published by The Friends
of Winchester Cathedral in1970.
Rob Roy Albums
We specialise in
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an extensive range of
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We sell our own
Postcard/Cigarette Card
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in a range of sizes, plus
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Open 10am-4pm
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but please ring first
Rob Roy Albums
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Email: david.calvert123@btinternet.com
18 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
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nr ORPINGTON,
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WE ARE AT:
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p19 PPM Feb16_template 07/01/2016 18:27 Page 19
S
SHOREHAM-BY-SEA
Exeter Fair
POSTCARD AND COLLECTORS FAIR
Saturday 6th February
SATURDAY 20th FEBRUARY
Cigarette Cards and Stamps
Ephemera and Accessories
at The Shoreham Centre,
Pond Road
10am to 4pm
Postcards, Stamps, Cigarette Cards, Coins/Medals,
Records, Prints, Ephemera - inc.
Film & Entertainment etc etc
* Superb venue with excellent catering
facilities and parking* Admission 50p
* 60 tables with around 20 postcard dealers
Dealers include: Chris Hoskins, John Kidson,
Jackie Worling, Derek Popplestone, Lesley Davies,
Jane Dembrey, Beacon Postcards, Mike Felmore,
Mick Devonald, Peter Robinson, Barry Baker,
Michael Lee, Christine Chard, Derek Wilkins,
Henry Wakefield, Mick Large, Mike Huddy,
Peter Lindfield, Campbell McCutcheon
and more to come!
The Shoreham Centre is two minutes from the town’s railway station on
the main London Victoria - Portsmouth line, and two minutes from the
High Street. A283 - easy access from A23, A24 and A27
Bookings: BEACON FAIRS 01892 662132
10am - 4pm
Postcards
Clyst Vale Community College, Broadclyst
Organiser: Anne Scott
01395 - 270322
Next event here:
19th March
STAMP & POSTCARD FAIRS
Modern postcards as well as old ones are well
featured at each event
This month’s fair:
Sunday 7th February
LEIGH-ON-SEA, West Leigh School
Next fair:
Saturday 5th March
WOODBRIDGE
All fairs 9.30am - 3.30pm
Details: Ray How 01702-544632
Canterbury
Postcard &
Collectors Fair
at The Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall
Road, Canterbury Kent CT1 2BT
Saturday 13th February 2016
!"# !
!"% !
& '(
Buy and Sell: Postcards - Stamps Militaria - Coins - Cigarette Cards Books - Old Bottles - Breweriana Ephemera - Small Collectables
$
)
*
!
" #
"
+
+
'
+ ', - . /
+'
+
1
"
65 5
!
0
!
1 !
"" 232 #4%#35
355 7! / 8
!
9
+ &
50+ tables
Early admission (8.30am) £2
Free admission 10 am - 3.30 pm
Refreshments available
Enquiries: Tel: 01843 862707
Mobile: 07802 402873
Email - info@clivebaker.co.uk
www.ukoldpostcards.com
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 19
p20-22 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:30 Page 20
The Pictorial Stationery Company, Part 9
Viewscapes inside
goldfish bowls
by Antony Edmonds
sheer quantity of postcards on
In 1902 the Pictorial Stationery
display.
Company (PSC) published under
My own collecting speciality
its Peacock Brand a series of art
is postcards of
nouveau “passe-partout” cards
Worthing, and I
featuring
calculate that well
landscapes
over 3,000 different
framed
postcard views of the
inside a
town and surrounding
variety
villages were
of bowl
published between
shapes.
The Tower of London (1001 L)
1900 and 1915 (by scores
During the
of different publishers,
Edwardian
helpfully tells us that the printer in
either national or local).
age there
question was August Wehrt – a firm
And 100 years later,
was intense
that was involved in postcard
during the 15
competition
production for
years between
for the
only a fairly brief
2000 and
attention of
period, for seven
2015?
postcards
years or so until
Probably at
buyers, and
1904.
most a few
the more
dozen cards,
creative
Passe-partout
from a
publishers
I have referred to
handful of
such as the
this series of
Trafalgar Square (1002 L)
publishers.
PSC came up
cards as passeSome of the major
with imaginative and innovative
partout cards, but
companies - Lévy Sons
concepts such as this to stand out
they are in fact
& Co would be an
from the crowd.
“faux” passeobvious example Although most postcard collectors
partout.
concentrated their
are aware that during the postcard
True passeattention on local-view
craze of the first 15 years or so of
partout is where a
cards; but most large
the 20th century the number of
picture has a
firms, including the
postcards produced was vast, we
separate shaped
The Old Curiosity Shop (1040 L)
PSC, published
piece of cardboard
cards with many different
placed on top of it, as a kind of frame.
themes.
With these cards - although there
During its short existence
is a passe-partout effect, and
of about ten
years, the PSC
used seven or
eight different
printers. All were
located in
Germany. This
series, uniquely
among the firm’s
cards,
was printed
Tower Bridge, London (1017 L)
in Brunswick.
In an informative letter
would nonetheless be flabbergasted
in the April 2015 issue of
if we could travel back in time to an
PPM, Helmfried Luers
Edwardian newsagent and see the
Windsor Castle (1012 L)
20 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
The
p20-22 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:30 Page 21
The Poultry
Cross, Salisbury
(L 1068)
during the
production
process the
image was
almost
certainly put
together in two
layers - the
final postcard
was simply
printed off in
one layer, in
the normal
way. The cards
in this series were only ever
available with undivided backs.
When, in January 1902, the post
office abandoned the rule that the
entire back of a postcard had to be
reserved for the recipient’s address,
not all postcard publishers
immediately started producing
The Lees and Bandstand, Folkestone (1060 L)
divided-back cards - and the PSC
seems to have been particularly slow
to do so.
In my collection of almost 600
postcards published by the company,
the earliest postmark I have on a
Carlisle Parade, Hastings (1020 L)
divided-back
card is 22 August
1903.
The need to
leave a certain
amount of space
on the front for
the message
often gave
undivided-back
postcards a
rather awkward
appearance.
Indeed - like, I
imagine, many collectors
of early cards - I
generally prefer it when
the space on the front of an
undivided-back card is occupied by a
hand-written message. The spaces
often look rather naked
without writing.
But this problem does not
arise with the Pictorial
Stationery Company’s passepartout landscapes. The
cards remain aesthetically
coherent even if no message
appears on the front. There is
no sense of a space having
been left regrettably vacant.
West Pier, Brighton (1034 L)
have the brown-coloured backs that
appeared on the earliest Peacock
Brand cards, and some have the
more familiar green backs which soon
superseded them; but many (perhaps
all) of the “green-backs” in the series
are reprints of cards originally issued
as “brown-backs.”
Dates
The earliest postmark on any
The Pavilion and Gardens, Brighton (1026 L)
Peacock Brand card in my
collection is 10 May 1901, and the
Many Peacock Brand cards from
first Peacock cards were probably
the firm’s undivided-back period
published in the spring of 1901.
were subsequently reprinted with
The earliest postmark I have on a
divided backs, but these passecard in the passe-partout series is
partout cards never were - so the
almost exactly a year later, 14 May
series was probably in print for only
1902 - on the card of the Tower of
two or three years.
London reproduced here (which, as
This suggests that these cards
it happens, also has the
may not have
date written on the front).
been
I have a copy of a
particularly
passe-partout card with
popular.
the reference
Perhaps on
number 1108 L
the one hand
and the
they were not
postmark 23
arty enough
December 1902,
for arty types,
so at least 100
and on the
cards in the
other the
passe-partout
photographic
series were first
views on
published before
them were
the end of 1902 too small for
and possibly,
The Reredos,
indeed, the entire
Bristol Cathedral
series.
(1095 L)
Some of the
passe-partout cards
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 21
p20-22 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:30 Page 22
having been transposed. Indeed the number 1095 L would
be in immediate proximity to the numbers on the two
cards of Clifton (1093 L and 1094 L), a suburb of Bristol.
These two Clifton cards are the only ones I have seen
where the landscape in the centre is colour-tinted, and
this was probably in response to a specific request from a
Clifton shopkeeper.
Avon Gorge and Sea Walls, Clifton Downs (1093 L)
those that simply wanted to send their friends a postcard
depicting a place they were visiting.
Numbers
The reference numbers on the cards in this series have
the suffix letter L, and the numbers start at 1001 L (or
possibly 1000 L).
The highest “bona fide” number I have seen is 1170 L,
and my guess is that the series consisted of at most 200
cards.
I say “bona fide” because the card reproduced here of
the reredos in Bristol Cathedral has the number 1905 L.
However that is clearly a misprint, since 1905 L is over 700
higher than any other number I have seen on these cards.
The Bristol Cathedral card was almost certainly meant
to be numbered 1095 L, the second and third digits
Clifton and Suspension Bridge (1094 L)
There was, in truth, not much point in colour-tinting the
photographs when they were to be reproduced at such a
small size – and indeed having the landscapes in colour
adversely affects the appearance of these two cards,
swamping the colours of the decorative flowers.
TOOVEY’S
Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
ADVANCE NOTICE
Sale of the Maurice Stevens
Postcard Collection
Tuesday 22nd March
To pre-order your catalogue (£6.00 by post)
please contact our offices
Tel: 01903 891955
E-mail: auctions@tooveys.com
Spring Gardens, A24 Washington, West Sussex RH20 3BS
www.tooveys.com
22 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
p23-25 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 11:50 Page 1
dumped Berlin in 1916 and adopted the name of the
recently-drowned Lord Kitchener. Numerous post cards
of the era survive and are very collectible. They bear an
overprint to cancel the old name.
Rych Mills, newsletter editor,
Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Regional Post Card Club
Ontario Canada
Letter of the Month
Waterloo
With regard to the articles in PPM (May and June 2015)
on Waterloo, and places named in association with the
battle, I live in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada – which is part
of a twin city with the smaller City of Waterloo.
We are part of the regional municipality of Waterloo
and there used to be a Waterloo Township and a
Waterloo County,
both since
disbanded.
In Kitchener,
we have a
Wellington
Street....a
Blucher
Street...and an
adjoining county
is Wellington
County.
We also
have a nearby
Wellesley
Township but it,
alas, is named
after the Duke’s
brother who was
a bigwig in the
colonial
government
here.
All these
were named
during a
geographic reorganization of
Upper Canada
in 1816 and of
course reflected the glory the British felt after the battle.
Those people’s names and reminders still abound here
in Ontario 200-plus years later.
Kitchener’s previous name was Berlin but that came
about in the 1830s and had nothing to do with the
Prussians helping to defeat Napoleon. Naturally, we
Does size matter?
Responding to John Sheaf’s curiosity about his small
photographic PC of Hampton Hill (PPM, Dec. 2015).
John is correct to suggest the card has never been cut
down, and yes, it could certainly have passed through
the mail as a postcard.
K.Ltd is the logo of Kodak and their photographic
paper with postcard back was used by amateur and
professional photographers all over the globe. Kodak
postcard paper remained popular from the Edwardian
era into the 1960s, when it can still be found on family
photos and often in the huge archives of contemporary
transport historians.
Comparison readily shows the back on John’s card
has been set for the plate format, which is also a popular
size for contemporary snapshot photos.
Postcards in odd sizes are familiar to collectors from
large publishers. Beagles and Rotary were prolific in their
output of midget and bookmark cards of actresses and
royals, Tuck made giant Oilettes.
Since postal regulations applied to all, it followed that
anyone could make their own novelty postcards and that
certainly included photographers.
Four examples from my Fife collection illustrate that
photographic paper with the back printed to make midget
and giant postcards was available in the Edwardian
period. The smallest and earliest is an amateur photo of
a Kirkcaldy park, 3½“ x 3.” Midget Post Card is printed
on the reverse and the card was posted in October
1904.
The others are all by St. Monans photographer
William Easton, the most enthusiastic local postcard
producer of the Edwardian era.
One is an untitled view of St. Monans, 4½” x 3½,”
with rounded corners and a generic back with “post card”
and stamp box centred on the format.
Next are two giant cards, of Upper Largo and
Balcaskie House, each 8”x 5.” Unused, I can date them
with confidence to 1912. These have been captioned in
white on the plate and both have pre-printed postcard
backs appropriate to their size. One has been trimmed
and lost part of the inscription on the back. The other has
“post card” printed top centre and underneath in small
print, “No writing other than address and signature of
sender must appear, otherwise penny stamp required.”
This same rule applied to all over sized and most
other types of novelty postcards in Britain. Its inclusion is
ample proof photographic paper was specifically
produced for photographers to make their own novelty
postcards.
Postcards like these must have been made
everywhere, but the survival rate may be very low. The
small ones fell out of albums. The big ones, as we know,
are apt to be found ripped and mangled at the back.
Funny sized postcards, but postcards all the same.
Eric Eunson
Fife
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 23
p23-25 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 11:50 Page 2
Well done Alan
The December 2015 Newsdesk carried a richly
complimentary and well-deserved article on the charity
fundraising of Alan Nethercott. I am delighted to report
that the total raised to date is a magnificent £100,000
and not the £10,000 in the article.
Alan works tirelessly to sell postcards for Hospicare
and is widely supported by both dealers and an
international band of collectors. The world would be a
much poorer place without the generous actions of a rare
band of people and their supporters. Well done Alan.
Jonathan Davies
Exeter
* Editor’s note. Thanks Jonathan. We carried a brief
article last month to put right the mistake – a result of a
zero being left off a figure in an email sent to us.
I am a walrus
Having read the article “Singing the Praise of Lyrics”
brings to mind an event in our Village West Malling in
Kent.
In 1967 The Beatles made the
film ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ here. Our
new blue plaque initiative celebrates
their stay in the area. The plaque is
sited on the wall of a kebab shop
which was a newsagent at the time
and it is known was frequented by
the band and in all probability sold postcards!
At the time The Beatles showed interest in purchasing
Douces Manor House, circa 1700. In the basement is the
“Twitch Inn” historically used in WW2 by such famous
RAF personnel as “cats eyes Cunningham,” Group
Captain Peter Townsend and Guy Gibson based at West
Malling Airfield (now developed into a modern business
and housing site).
The song “I am a walrus” was recorded on the
airfield.
There are several plaques sited in the village which
are made of vinyl and have QR codes allowing smart
phone users to learn about the history of the people
involved in several different languages.
Diana Bullard
West Malling
Overwhelming support
2015 was a challenging year for Mike and I after my
ovarian cancer was diagnosed in December 2014.
Sessions of chemotherapy, a major operation in May and
further sessions of chemotherapy took its toll. However
treatment has moved on to a drug every three weeks
with none of the side effects.
I am feeling so much better and fitter enabling me to
get out and about a bit more.
Thank you everyone who has sent messages via
cards, emails and telephone calls. I have found it very
overwhelming but humbling to receive your support and
good luck messages.
Mike plans to visit more fairs and buy this coming
year and I hope to be able to accompany him where
possible, to see you all and thank people personally. I
should have hair by then – it is starting to grow back.
Once again – thank you to everyone.
Carola Tarrant
Bembridge, Isle of Wight
24 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
eBid
In a recent article, one of the major challengers to eBay
was sadly overlooked. It is the on-line marketplace eBid
where listing a basic auction is free with a zero or low
percentage fee paid on selling an item. Yes, it’s true!
I remain surprised that so many people still have not
heard of eBid despite it being set up some nine or more
years ago. A UK based private enterprise
based in Weybridge, Surrey, eBid now
sells in more than 23 countries world-wide
and has buyers from 100 plus countries.
It was founded by Gary Sewell and
Mark Wilkinson in 1998 with a view to
offer a low cost alternative on-line
marketplace, and it continues to grow apace with more
and more eBay sellers migrating. There are three levels
for joining and the Seller+ option offers best value for the
professional seller. As a Seller+ you can create up to five
shops for free, list for free and pay a mere 2% final value
fee on your sales for a gallery-style listing. On top of that,
buy-it-now and run-until-sold options are included.
As a Google Shopping Marketplace Partner, eBid
items have a bigger audience than ever before. Recent
sell-through rates are the best ever and it’s possible to
import items direct from eBay into eBid for free. So, why
wait, give eBid a go today.
Steve Kentfield
Ispwich
Careless talk
A recent viewing of some World War Two posters of
“Careless talk costs lives” reminded me of this card
(pictured left)
which I have had
for many years –
during which
time I have not
seen or read
anything similar.
It was clearly
produced after
1942 but by
whom and why?
Perhaps PPM
readers can
come up with
some answers.
The number 512476 on the back
may be familiar
to other
collectors.
Ray Maltson
Nr Sleaford
Cup of tea
At the risk of re-opening wounds, Stan Beecham (March
of the Mods in the January PPM) complained that there
is not enough coverage of modern cards in PPM, while
at the same time he seemed to be unhappy about
articles featuring moderns which covered, I quote,
“ostriches, Brussels and Aborigines.”
The implication seems to be that these stories were
not Mr Beecham’s ‘cup of tea,’ although they featured
modern cards, the area he is championing.
p23-25 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 11:50 Page 3
I have to say, in reading many articles about ‘old’
cards in the magazine, that there are many which don’t
fall within with my own areas of collecting or indeed
interest.
But they broaden my knowledge and understanding
of postcards in general, and I understand that PPM
needs to appeal to a broad range of readers and not just
cater to a few individual tastes. That’s what makes it
such a good read.
Roger Elliott
Manchester
Drowning sorrows?
Here’s a postcard in my collection which has a story
which might make readers smile.
Captioned Red Castle, Lunan Bay, Montrose, you can
see the plane flying over the castle. Published by
Davidson’s Real Photographic Series, it was posted from
Montrose in July 1915.
Montrose was not the original aerodrome for AngusScotland. The flying field was at Dysart Farm, to the
south of Montrose, north of Inverkeilor.
I’m fortunate to have spoken to a man who, as a child
at Inverkeilor School, along with other pupils, saw planes
from the
playground
on the
School
Road flying
over in the
direction of
Lunan Bay
and the
sea.
He told
me that one of his fellow pupils said, with fear in his
voice, if they fly over the sea and crash, they’ll drown.
Ian Forrester
Kirkcaldy
Editor’s note: Thanks Ian – wonderful what they teach
you at school!
Moïse
The exposure by Antony Edmonds (PPM, November
2015) of the notorious ‘Lévy error’ is a valuable
contribution towards countering the long-perpetuated
misrepresentation of the initials ‘LL.’
Antony kindly wrote to me a year ago on the subject,
updating an original memo sent to me by Geoff Ashton in
January 2012.
I would just like to make one point concerning
Antony’s current and previous text and that relates to the
spelling of Moisé [sic] Léon. In fact, the French form of
this forename is spelt Moïse – the French for ‘Moses’ (in
his memo to me, Geoff actually referred to the gentleman
as Moses).
Apart from being familiar with this name in my
capacity as a translator, I have always remembered a
poem by Victor Hugo which we had to study at school in
our advanced French class entitled ‘Moïse sur le Nil.’
Douglas d’Enno
Brighton
Album pages
Several times at meetings when members have been
displaying cards, the question has come up of why no
album pages seem to be available with three horizontal
and two vertical spaces to a page.
Members (and other collectors we have spoken to)
find it frustrating that you cannot display a mixture of
horizontal and vertical cards, that relate to each other,
easily together on a single page.
Having to use a separate vertical page for one or two
cards between two horizontal pages of six is just plain
irritating!
Does anyone know of an accessories supplier who
does these - or if not could someone give it some
thought?
I have been advised by one company that this is not
viable as they would need to sell a minimum quantity of
10,000 pages to make it worthwhile to produce them which is less than 340 packets a year over three years.
I wonder if any other readers would also show
interest in placing some advance orders, and maybe we
could prove there was enough demand to make it
economical for someone to do this.
I am sure that this would prove very popular with a
large number of collectors.
Brian H Watt
Secretary Grampian Postcard Club
Body talk
I was interested to read about the famous cousin of
Walter Hammond (PPM January 2016). However, I think
you downplay one of the greatest ever English cricketers
to twice label him a “famous Bodyline cricketer.”
For when he retired from Test cricket after the 1946/7
Ashes series, Hammond had made a record 7,249 runs,
a total first exceeded by Garry Sobers in the 1970s.
What’s more no-one with as many runs in the Test arena
has such a high average, namely 58.45.
In the first class game Hammond’s 50,551 runs make
him the sixth highest scorer of all time, with his 167
centuries only exceeded by Hendren and Hobbs. Again
his average of 56.10 is easily more than anyone who has
scored either as many runs or centuries as him. A true
legend of the English national summer game!
Tim Mickleburgh
Grimsby
Our next midweek
fairs are:
STOCKPORT
Masonic Guild Hall, Wellington Road South, SK1 3XE
January 26 / February 23 / March 29
NOTTINGHAM
Nuthall Temple Centre, Nottingham Road, NG16 1DP
February 10
FREE admission, all 9.30 am till 3.30 pm
Simon Collyer 07966 565151 www.ampfairs.co.uk
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 25
p26-27 Barrie Rollinson ad_template 13/01/2016 19:52 Page 1
SHEPTON MALLET 2016
FESTIVAL OF CARDS ’16
AT
Friday
26 February
10am - 6pm
admission £4
follow signs for
BATH & WEST
SHOWGROUND,
then
FESTIVAL OF
CARDS
Saturday
27 February
9.30am - 4pm
admission £2
SHEPTON MALLET 2016
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BATH AND WEST SHOW GROUND
SHEPTON MALLET
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For accommodation (big list available) - and
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or telephone 01278 445497
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Details: Barrie Rollinson 01278 445497
or 07966 011027
SHEPTON MALLET 2016
26 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
p26-27 Barrie Rollinson ad_template 13/01/2016 19:52 Page 2
SHEPTON MALLET 2016
Friday/Saturday February 26th/27th
Stand
P01
P02
P03
P04
P05
P06
P06a
P07
P08
P09
P10
P11
P12
P13
P14
P15
P16
P17
P21
P22
P23
P24
P25
P26
P27
P28
P29
P30
P31
P32
P34
P35
P36
P37
P38
P39
A01
A02
A03
A04
A05
A06
A07
A08
A09
B01
B02
B03
B04
B05
B07
B08
B09
B10
B11
C02
C03
C04
C05
C06
C07
C08
C09
C10
C11
D01
D03
D04
D05
D06
D07
D08
D09
D10
D10a
D11
Dealer
Rob Roy
Mike Felmore
Han Ruyters
Reflections of a Bygone Age
Clive Baker
Ken Hassle
John Laing
Terry Spicer
Mike Cox
Bill Whelan
Peter’s Postcards
Andrew Przopiorski
Derek Warry
Barrie Rollinson
Paul Cuchet/Francis Gresse
Jonathan Edwards
Taunton Stamp Co
Malcolm Harrington
Paul Lynch
David Williamson
Ann Southgate
Neil Collin
John Lardener
Steve Prescott
Peter Johnson
David Taylor
Melanie Mordsley
Freda Gittos
Christine Booth
Trevor Vennet-Smith
Mike Collier
Bill Pipe
Will Louden
Andrew Yatsenko
Picture Postcard Monthly
Chris Hoskins
Ian Beaumont
George Nairn
Jan Boonstra
Jan Dantuma
Alec Wallace
John Brown
Simon Collyer
Andrew Litherland
Trevor Pearson
Mike Heard
Steven Arnold
Campbell McCutcheon
Chris Hockaday
Ted Irwin
Roger Cummings
Mike Davis
Jim Schofields
Gareth Burgess
Steve Kentfield
John Shaw
Liz McKendrick
Keith Hough
Mick Liversidge
Julian Dunn
Joan Robinson
Dave Essing
Lesley Davies
Stephan Geis
Dave Winstone
Paul Mitchell
Clive Bryant
Phil Smith
Chris Breach
Andrew Read
John Varden
Helen Tasker-Poland
Peter Russell
Peter Holroyd
David Walker
Peter Duncan
From
Orpington
Haywards Heath
Holland
Nottingham
Broadstairs
Glossop
Canada
Chippenham
Woodbridge
Kenn
Bristol
France
Newport
Chedzoy
France
Newbury
Taunton
Swansea
Nottingham
Swansea
Royston
Biggleswade
Edgbaston
St Ives
Taunton
St Austel
Southgate
St Briavels
Bristol
Ammanford
Witney
Poole
Burnham-on-Sea
Eastern Europe
Portsmouth
South Nutfield
Romney Marsh
Chester-le-Street
Holland
Holland
Prescot
Ilfracombe
Birmingham
Reigate
Dorchester
Derby
Hadlow
Gloucester
Plymouth
Basingstoke
Malvern
Oswestry
Colchester
Dunbar
Ipswich
Swadlingcote
Sutton-on-Trent
Flintshire
Easingwold
Weybridge
Mablethorpe
Holland
Brighton
Germany
Bath
Haswell
Westbury
Saundersfoot
Chippenham
Penge
Millom
Shawford
Market Drayton
Guildford
Wellington
Lindfield
D12 Roni de Bijl
M01 Elizabeth Freeman
M02 Sinan Erhun
M02a Wendy Howlett
M03 Verna Palmer
M04 Peter Andrews
M05 Ray Perry
M06 Joss Mullinger
M07 David Salter
M08 Mike Huddy
M11 David Andrews
M12 Paul Willmot
M13 Dean Warren (Fri)
M14 Mick Large
M15 Keith Irwin
M16 Wayne Northeast
M17 Rosina Stevens
M21/31 Paul Newman
M22 Mel Walton
M23 Bryan Ford
M24 Martyn Lawrence
M25 Stan Woodhouse
M26 Tony Kirk
M27 Peter Robards
M32 Beverley Wright
M33 Jim Fisher
M34 Anthony Runge
M35 Alan Nethercote
M36 Malcolm Vigar
M37 Alan Bower
M38 Bill Kirkland
M41 John Kidson
M42 Carl McQuaide
M43 Colin Jefferson
M44 Richard Dennis
M45 Ephemera Warehouse North
M46 Jack Stasiak
M47 Clive Turner
M48 Andrew Swift
M51 Margaret Pierce
M52 Kevin Webb
M53 Anne Gray
M54 Andrew George
M55 David Hutchinson
M56 Mark Bown
M57 Nigel Oram
M58 Martin Stokes
M61 Theresa Cheetham (Fri)
M61 David Sims
M63 Peter Lincoln
M64 John Ainsley
M65 Chris Rapley
M66 Julian Allen
M67 Mike Clarke
M71 Richard Jones
M72 Nigel Martin (Fri)
M72 Mary Wheeler (Sat)
M73 Peter Beer
M74 John Evaney/Card Scene
M75 Richard Newstead
M76 Derek Garrod
M77 Andrew Bowker
Holland
Ilford
London
Western-super-Mare
Stains
Saltash
Bath
Castle Cary
Cardiff
High Wickham
Sherbourne
Pucklechurch
Puriton
Bognor Regis
Wormsley
Warminster
Ashford
Yeovil
Frome
Newport
Poole
Norfolk
Norfolk
Craven Arms
Wokingham
Cornwall
Exeter
Exeter
Bracknell
Huddersfield
Stone
Brighton
Tamworth
Weybridge
Ilminster
Huddersfield
York
Bolney
Bath
Sandy
Callington
Wolverhampton
Shiptonthorpe
Plymouth
Woodville
Brackley
Buxton
Ketteringham
Sherborne
Malvern
Dawlish
Sittingbourne
Dorset
Leamington Spa
Plymouth
Devon
Leominster
Sudbury
Reading
Bristol
Bexley Heath
Emsworth
SHEPTON MALLET 2016
SHEPTON MALLET 2016
SHEPTON MALLET 2016
Featuring For Your Pleasure
Around 140 dealers from far and wide
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 27
Donald McGill the one and only
p28-30 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:32 Page 28
by
Bernard
Crossley
A brief introduction to the “master” and his work
Bernard Crossley is a collector
of and authority on the work of
Donald McGill. His biography of
McGill, ‘Donald McGill: Postcard
Artist,’ was published by
Greaves & Thomas and was the
first full-scale biography of the
famous illustrator.
McGill gave up a secure job
at 32 to embark on life as a
postcard artist and was still
working when he died aged 87.
The book explains how a man
from a very straight-laced and
highly respectable Victorian
background virtually created
and came to be associated with
the saucy seaside postcard.
It describes his skirmishes
with the censors and the law,
culminating in a show trial in
1954, and the disapproval which
he also suffered from his own
family.
The author shows however
that this association with the
saucy does a great disservice to
his work which featured an
extremely wide variety of
subjects, of which the risqué
was but a small part, and which
illustrated and documented
many different aspects of
British society during the first
half of the 20th century.
Donald McGill is perhaps best
known for and most often
associated with comic postcards
of the saucy seaside variety
featuring fat ladies on the beach
and the like.
Whenever he is mentioned in the
media, the focus is usually on the
1950s when he was prosecuted a
couple of times for publishing
postcards that were considered to be
obscene.
This is unfortunate for it in no way
does justice to the extremely wide
variety of subject matter which he
featured in his vast output of some
12,000 different postcard designs
during a career lasting almost 60
years.
It also in no way gives an accurate
impression of the cards that were
branded as obscene by the
authorities of that time but which can
now be seen for what they really
were – subtle, charming and
amusing, as well as being delightfully
and skilfully painted, with perhaps a
secondary meaning for those able to
see it.
They were a world away from the
images that are considered obscene
today.
It was partly to correct this
misleading impression about McGill’s
work that I have written a biography
of him but it was also written to throw
light on to the man himself who,
though his work was and continues
to be well known by many, has
managed to remain largely unknown.
He was born in 1875, went to art
school, but dropped out, and then
trained and was employed as a
naval engineering draughtsman.
In his spare time he turned his
hand to producing comic postcards,
the first of which appeared around
1904.
In 1907 he gave up his
draughtsman job and became a fulltime postcard artist. This was a very
bold and brave move as he gave up
a secure position for one that was
anything but.
28 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
1
2
3
p28-30 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:32 Page 29
4
5
Indeed there was at that time no
such thing as a full-time postcard
artist. He was the first. So he was
making a leap into the unknown.
The early years were a struggle
but his career really took off during
the First World War when he worked
night and day producing around nine
cards a week which sold in their
millions.
During the 1920s and 1930s he
really established his artistic style
and his name as the leading comic
postcard artist in Britain.
Soon after the outbreak of the
Second World War, McGill stopped
working and went to live in Guildford.
To all intents and purposes it
appeared that at the age of 65 he
had now retired but amazingly after
the war and at the age of 70 he
returned to work.
Even more amazingly in 1951 at
the ripe old age of 76 he took over
the running of the company which
published his work.
The task facing McGill was made
considerably more difficult by the
fact that the firm was in dire financial
straits and was about to be
persecuted by a decade of
prosecutions as the puritans went on
the attack against what they
perceived to be a tide of
pornography and obscenity flooding
the country.
In the dock
The innocent seaside postcard got
caught up in this and McGill found
himself in the dock in 1954 and
again 1957.
However McGill fought off the
puritans and successfully guided the
business through the storm so that
by the end of the 1950s it was a
successful business again – all the
while continuing to design his comic
postcards. This was a truly
remarkable achievement for a man
in his eighties.
He went on working right up until
his death in 1962 at the age of 87.
Afterwards his firm was taken over
by new owners who ceased
producing his cards and sold off their
stock of his original artwork. This
proved however to be the start of a
McGill renaissance.
Arthur Calder-Marshall wrote a
short study of his work in 1966 and
the success of the sales of the
artwork in the late sixties led to
renewed interest in McGill.
Exhibitions of his work were
mounted, a second book followed in
1983 and right up until today his
images continue to be used to
advertise and sell all manner of
products and to illustrate newspaper
and magazine articles.
In recent times there have been
radio and TV programmes about him
and the prices of his artwork have
soared into the stratosphere.
In 1968, they sold for just over £1
each.
In October 2014 one of his
watercolours was sold in London for
a record price of £3,500.
McGill made a major contribution
to British popular culture in the form
6
7
8
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 29
p28-30 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 15:12 Page 30
9
of the seaside postcard, a genre
which he virtually created.
His cards covered a very wide
variety of subjects including political
and social history, fashion,
technology and wartime propaganda
and in addition there were
sentimental children’s cards.
One of these was his bestselling
design of all.
It featured a little girl having her
nightdress tugged by her little dog
while saying her prayers and asking
the Lord to excuse her a minute
while she kicks Fido. It sold more
than three million copies.
Some designs were serious and
not comic at all. His artwork also had
11
10
a level of skill and an unmistakable
style and subtlety which few if any of
his contemporaries and none of his
successors could match.
However McGill was a very
modest man and always rather
regretted that he had not produced
more serious work.
He described himself simply as “a
seaside artist” but in fact he was our
greatest postcard artist.
* Editor’s footnote: Bernard’s book,
which of course is generously
illustrated throughout, is available
via the Donald McGill Museum
website
www.saucyseasidepostcards.com.
12
30 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
13
In this article, we feature examples
of McGill’s work
* before World War One (numbers 1
& 2),
* during World War One (3 & 4),
* between the wars (5, 6 & 7),
* during World War Two (8 & 9)
* two of the cards for which he was
prosecuted in 1954 (12 & 13)
* and one for which he was
prosecuted again (14) three years
later.
In case you can’t read it, the caption
for picture 1 says:
Our Boarding House.
‘E won’t be long now Sir, I can
see ‘im adryin’ ‘imself.’
14
p31 PPM Feb16_template 08/01/2016 19:51 Page 51
World War One in
Postcards
by Peter James
Ed. V. Krepostnov and A. Medyakov
Krepostnov Publishing House JSC, Kirov 2014
ISBN 987-5-85271-552-4
World War One centenary events have led to a
plethora of books.
But this 4-volume World War I in Postcards can be
welcomed as a valuable aid to examining the
propaganda and mentalities of the time and giving us a
better understanding. It tells the story of the war through
postcards.
Based on Valery Krepostnov’s
huge collection, it contains
over 5,500 large-size
illustrations of cards from
practically every country
involved. Alexander
Medyakov has provided an
excellent commentary to
the work, well translated
into English by Anna
Seregina.
Volume one, From
Sarajevo to Compiègne is
in three parts. The first,
The Path to War describes
the events which gave rise to it,
leading to the July crisis, and
beginning of the war to its spreading
world-wide. The third part, A War of
Attrition, covers February 1915 up to the last battles of
1918. The text is punctuated throughout by relevant card
illustrations.
The PCs of the first months of the war reflected dayby-day events and showed a great enthusiasm and
desire for victory. However, as the war lingered on events
at the Front were given less attention, and postcards
concentrated more on how people cared for each other.
Death and suffering were still glorified but the scale of
losses was played down. At the end, the postcards of all
sides still called for unconditional victory but enthusiasm
for war had disappeared.
The work depicts images of how the war was
presented to people, how they saw it, and how they
wanted to see it. To help our understanding, each volume
carries frequent illustrations entitled “Postcards Talk”
showing the backs of cards both in their original form and
with the messages translated into English.
Volume 2, The New Face of War, has postcard
illustrations selected to show that “Death was
Mechanical.” It includes the stalemate of trench warfare,
life on the front line, the wounds of war and prisoners-ofwar.
Volume three, Behind the Frontline, is in three parts how society was mobilised and the part played by
women; the routine of war, covering news, rumours,
letters from the front and going on leave; and privation
and loss, with PCs including refugees and the innocent
victims.
The last volume is the Battle between Good and Evil.
The impact of propaganda was unprecedented and this
volume presents PCs which did not describe the war as
such but, rather, attempted to explain it.
It is again in three parts - Mobilization of Spirit, A
World Full of Enemies and Right Against Might. It
concludes with an epilogue which covers the cost of the
war, and the winners and the losers.
At the end, the author reminds us that … attempts to
create a ‘Europe of nations’ in ethnically diverse but
historically integrated regions led to tensions and
conflicts that made the situation in Europe more and
more inflammatory. Marshall Foch said The Treaty of
Versailles was not a peace but a 20-year truce. A second
world war was inevitable.
This work is a valuable tool for students, and
particularly for postcard collectors, who will never find
another such extensive collection of illustrations.
To acquire the volumes, contact the publishers at 11
Orlovskaya Street, Kirov, Russia, 610002, or ‘phone +7
(8332) 216-561. Please be advised that, with case, they
weigh over 10 kilogrammes.
New website for Pamlins
Surrey based John Hobbs has launched a highlyinformative new website which he hopes will foster
increased collector interest in Pamlin Print postcards.
John has for years been steadily compiling a vast
collection of Pamlins not only by number, but all the
different backs – a huge labour of love.
John said: “This site is for collectors and dealers. I
have lists detailing all known cards in the original M,
C, and G series, also the library and other lists
compiled by Alan Waters in 1998.
“I doubt there will ever be full listings for the cards
as Kenneth Carr’s lists were hand-written and there
are gaps in some details. Alan brought up the stock
and paperwork after Ken had died in 1998. I now
have this. I hope this site be of help to collectors and
dealers now and in the future.”
Visit www.pamlinpostcards.co.uk to learn more.
Grampian fair returns
Grampian Postcard Fair, Britain’s most northerly
event, will return on March 5 after a one-year gap.
The fair, from 10am-4pm, in West Church Hall,
Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, will be a joint effort between
Grampian Postcard Club and North-East Fairs.
Dealers from north-east Scotland, Fife and the
Central Belt will offer postcards, books, ephemera,
stamps, postal history, cigarette cards and coins.
Brian Watt, Grampian’s secretary, said: “We want
to make this fair one that collectors new, old and even
just the curious cannot afford to miss!”
The Grampian club meets on the second Monday
every month at 7pm in the Garioch Community
Centre,Inverurie. A warm welcome awaits
newcomers.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 31
Croydon’s bumpy flight
through aviation history
p32-33 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:32 Page 32
Aviators use base to reach for the sky
by Mark
Wingham
Once London’s main
international airport, a
fighter station and the scene
of a crash which nearly
claimed Winston Churchill’s
life.
Croydon airport was at the
centre of drama and making
the headlines for more than
four decades from its
emergence in World War One
until its closure in 1959.
At the dawn of air travel in
the last century, it was at the
heart of pioneering technical
innovations and developments
as well as being the focal point
for many world record-breaking
flights.
Great aviators who touched
down there included:
Alan Cobham, who made a
15-day record-breaking
return flight from Croydon to
South Africa in 1926. Cobham
later innovated air-to-air
refuelling.
l Charles Lindbergh, who flew
into Croydon in 1927 after
the first solo trans-Atlantic
flight. He was said to have
been mobbed by a 100,000
strong crowd - the biggest at
an airport until The Beatles
flew into Heathrow 36 years
later.
l Bert Hinkler, who set another
record for a solo flight, when
he travelled the globe from
Croydon to Darwin, Australia,
in 1928.
l In 1930, Amy Johnson also
departed for Darwin becoming the fastest woman
to reach Australia.
Croydon Aerodrome, Continental Air Port, 20061 – H, CHP
(published by CH Price, 80 George Street, Croydon),
showing HM Customs.
l
Croydon Aerodrome, 20061-D1, same publisher. There’s
a sign for KLM on the hanger in mid-right of PC.
Croydon Aerodrome, 20062SE, Inspecting newly
arrived machine. Imperial Airways sign on back.
No publisher details but same reverse as previous card,
both of which have Cartle Postale in French under the
usual printed Post Card wording top middle.
32 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
The airport’s history
started in December
1915 when the site
was selected as part
of the Royal Flying
Corps (RFC) Home
Defence in response
to Zeppelin bombing
raids on London
during WW1.
In April 1918, the
RFC and Royal Naval
Air Service were
merged to form the
Royal Air Force and
training duties at
Croydon were taken
on by No. 29 Training
Squadron of the new
RAF, and close by,
National Aircraft
Factory No.1 – one of
three such factories
nationwide - was
rapidly built to mass
produce aircraft for the
war effort. It consisted
of 58 buildings and
covered 650,000
square feet.
Churchill took
extensive flying lessons
at Croydon – and was
almost killed during a
take-off crash after the
war in 1919.
The airport’s rapid
expansion from the
1920s led to its
constant evolvement,
renaming and
rebranding, from the
earlier Royal Flying
Corps Station
Beddington, Waddon
Aerodrome, RAF
Station Beddington,
Croydon Aerodrome,
Air Port of London,
London Terminal
Aerodrome, RAF
Croydon and finally
Croydon Airport.
p32-33 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:32 Page 33
Croydon Aerodrome, Continental Air Port, 20061A.
CH Price, 1921/31 postmark.
Right. British Air Liner, 20062. SC. Shows plane marked
Imperial Airways, London. CH Price on reverse.
In March 1920, London’s airport
was moved from Hounslow Heath to
the much larger and better equipped
airfield of Croydon Aerodrome and it
was from here that Britain’s fledging
airlines sought to establish regular
intercontinental passenger services.
Croydon was at the heart of the
major development of air traffic
control (ATC), employing civilian air
traffic officers and radio officers and
designing some of the first
procedures still used today, including
Fred Mockford’s international
distress phrase ‘Mayday, Mayday,
Mayday.’
It was from Croydon that regular
international passenger services
took off in every sense of the word,
initially using converted wartime
bombers.
But British airlines found it very
difficult to compete against the
heavily subsidised continental
airlines, finally forcing the
government into action.
Ministers responded by looking to
merge the British airlines into a
single commercial entity, the Imperial
Airways – which was a flag-bearer
for innovation and the forerunner of
British Airways, which took to the air
in 1924 and was also based at
Croydon.
When Europe was plunged into
global conflict again, and World War
Two started in September 1939,
Croydon Airport was closed to civil
aviation and reverted to its original
role of defending the country from
attack.
It also played a vital offensive role
as a fighter station during The Battle
site has been developed into
of Britain, despite suffering a major
parkland, playing fields, and a
Luftwaffe attack in August 1940
residential estate with roads named
during which around 250 people
after aviators and aircraft.
were killed or wounded.
The only remains of the runways
Croydon returned to its civil use
are a small area of tarmac in
after the war but lost its crown as
Roundshaw Park, off Purley Way.
London’s international airport as
But Croydon’s place in aviation
Heathrow was propelled to the fore.
history is secure for all time.
With its grass runways and
insufficient room
for further
expansion,
Croydon simply
wasn’t fit for
purpose for the
Postcard, Cigarette Card and Collectors Fair
new generation of
The top event of its kind in the Southern Counties!
large airliners. But
it continued as a
regional airport
10.30 am - 4 pm
until finally closing
on September 30,
55 tables specialising in:
1959.
POSTCARDS *CIGARETTE CARDS *EPHEMERA *STAMPS
The final
*POSTAL HISTORY *ALBUMS *ACCESSORIES ETC.
service was a de
Havilland DH114
Heron flight to
Rotterdam,
captained by the
Admission £1 Refreshments Free Parking
appropriately
named Geoffrey
Dealers booked include:
Last.
*Graham Green *Roger Harrison *Chris Hoskins
Today, a few
*Beacon Postcards *Mike Felmore *Ted Irwin
airport buildings
*Philip Chipperfield *Peter Lindfield *Patrick Fitches
near Purley Way
*Rob Roy Albums *Peter Robinson *Dave Peet
(the A23 road)
*Campbell McCutcheon *Derek Popplestone
remain, the former
*Jackie Worling *Mick Devonald *Derek Wilkins
*Clive Turner *Lesley Davies *Jim Lockley *Betty Fuller
terminal building is
*James Gardiner *Tony Stevens *Jane Dembrey
called Airport
- and more to come!
House and the
For further information and bookings:
control tower now
hosts an airport
Rosemary Shepherd/Beacon Fairs 01892-662132
visitors’ centre.
Future Dates: 5 March 2016
But most of the
HAYWARDS HEATH
INTERNATIONAL
Saturday 6 February
Clair Hall, Perrymount Road,
HAYWARDS HEATH
West Sussex
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 33
YORK CARD EXPO
p34-35 York advert_template 12/01/2016 19:53 Page 34
THE DEALERS
Petrol prices below £1 a litre....a modern comfortable venue....a good on-site restaurant....
only £2/£1 admission....a beautiful city....it’s a pleasure to visit York Card Expo.
Derek Warry
John Kidson
Sheffield Postcard Co.
Michael Cox
Andrew Read
Magpie Cards
John Shaw
Clive Torrens
Page Postcards
Ken Hassell
Richard Gee
Cobweb Postcards
Edwardian Postcards
Days Past
Mike Lewis
Collier Postcards
Richard Stenlake
David Hutchinson
Malcolm Chadwick
Andrew George
Brian Robinson
Mike Huddy
Bendav
Alan Bower
Stamps at Bagley’s
Mike Fineron
Picture Postcards Ltd.
Varykino
Mark Bown
Keith Davies
Francis Gresse
Mark & Tracy Powell
Groeten Uit
Mike Pearl
RCS Postcards
Tony Scardifield
Helen Prescott
Maurice Friedman
South Wales
Brighton
Sheffield
Woodbridge
Penge
Grantham
Derbyshire
Leyburn
Berkshire
Derbyshire
Manningtree
Easingwold
Gloucestershire
Wirral
York
Witney
Ochiltree
Milton Keynes
France
East Yorkshire
Penistone
Buckinghamshire
Netherlands
Huddersfield
Norwich
York
Nottinghamshire
Ulverston
Derbyshire
Fife
France
Cheshire
Netherlands
Cheshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
Horwich
Somerset
Barry Davis
Cornucopia
Barrie Rollinson
Melanie Mordsley
Premier Postcards
Martin Stokes
Bill Kirkland
Bass Rock Postcards
Alec Wallace
Stephan Geis
Milos Oliva
Gill Nairn
The Magpie/Bill Pipe
Stuart Marshall
Rosalie Cards
JH Cards
Leprosy Mission
Reflections
Rob Roy Albums
Millston Postcards
Kingfisher Postcards
Helen Wade
Mike Bristow
Blue Bridge Postcards
Southport Stamp Auctions
Mary Wheeler
Phil & Thelma Vass
Jon Levine
Graham Richardson
Tristan Brittain
Campbell McCutcheon
David & Catharine Pierce
Ian & Lynne Hurst
David Seddon
Sally Dawkins
Chris Bates
Banbury
Dundee
Somerset
London
Norfolk
Buxton
Staffordshire
East Lothian
Merseyside
Germany
Czech Republic
County Durham
Dorset
East Kilbride
Worksop
Bradford
Peterborough
Nottingham
Kent
Hartlepool
Oxfordshire
Hull
Norwich
North Wales
Southport
Leominster
Burton-on-Trent
Suffolk
Oxfordshire
Northampton
Gloucestershire
Cheshire
Norfolk
Liverpool
Walsall
Hudderfield
York Card Expo International
Friday April 1st (11am-7pm) £2
Saturday April 2nd (10am-4.30pm) £1
York Racecourse Grandstand YO23 1EX (ample parking). On site restaurant.
34
For information please ring Jack or Felicity Stasiak on 01347 822722
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
INTERNATIONAL 2016
p34-35 York advert_template 12/01/2016 19:53 Page 35
TRAINS
Cheap internet prices will be on offer after PPM print deadline day, but they are well worth getting, with for example
London to York normally costing about £13 one way. The savings are excellent, but don’t delay, as the number of cheap
seats is always limited.
HOTELS
On 3 January Premier Inn rooms in York started at £45 for Friday April 1st, and at £49 for Saturday. Laterooms.com were
offering accommodation from £40, but some of their York hotels are quite a trek from the city. To get the tourist office A4
accommodation and attractions booklet email info@visityork.org or ring 01904 550099. They also offer a room booking
service.
The hotels listed here are on the Racecourse / South West side of York. The price bands are based on twin or double
rooms. £ is £50 or less, ££ is £51-£70, £££ is £71-£90, ££££ is £91-£120, and £££££ is £121 plus. The code for York is 01904.
HOTEL
The Grand Hotel & Spa
Dean Court Hotel
York Novotel
Middlethorpe Hall
Queens Hotel
Royal York Hotel
Mount Royale Hotel
Bishops Hotel
Wheatlands Lodge Hotel
Acer Guest House
Holgate Hill Hotel
Warrens
The Farthings
Hotel Du Vin
Middletons Hotel
York Holiday Inn
Knavesmire Manor Hotel
York Ibis Centre
Park Inn
Hotel 53
Tyburn Guest House
The Apple House
Barbican House
BAND
TEL NO.
£££££
380038
££££
625082
££££
611660
£££££
6421241
££££
611321
£££££
653681
£££££
628856
££££
628000
£££
654318
£££
653838
£££
653786
£££
643139
£££
653545
£££££ 0844 7489268
£££
611570
££££ 0871-9429085
£££
702941
£££
658301
££££
459988
£££
559000
££££
655069
£££
625081
£££
627617
ROOMS
107
37
142
32
78
172
24
11
68
6
22
6
10
44
56
142
20
91
200
100
13
10
8
HOTEL
BAND
TEL NO.
Curzon Lodge & Stables
£££
703157
Alexander House
£££
625016
York Marriott
££££
701000
Gregory’s Hotel
££
627521
Ashley Guest House
££
647520
The Bar Convent
£££
643238
Linden Lodge
£££
620107
Burswood Guest House
£££
702582
Ashberry Hotel
£££
647339
Bay Tree Guest House
££
659462
Dairy Guest House
£££
639367
Southlands Guest House £££
675966
Moorgarth Guest House
££
636768
Avondale Guest House
££
633989
Carlton House Hotel
£££
622265
Staymor Guest House
££
626935
Hillcrest Guest House
££
653160
Bishopgarth Guest House ££
635220
Bowman’s Guest House
££
622204
The York Priory
£££
625080
The Blue Bridge
££
621193
The Lighthorseman
££
624818
Newington Hotel
££££ 0800 616192
ROOMS
10
4
151
4
6
18
13
6
5
3
6
3
9
6
13
5
14
4
6
16
20
8
44
RESTAURANTS
York is stuffed with excellent eateries, so we haven’t been able to try them all. Some of our favourites are Meltons (especially
good for fish), Cafe No. 8, Rustique (excellent value), House of Trembling Madness (excellent beers with basic but top-quality
food in a medieval roof space), The Star in the City (very popular for lunch), but there are very many more. Betty’s and Little
Betty’s are well known for coffee etc., but often have queues.
AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Why not enjoy some of the tourist attractions while you are here? There are many more than these listed here, and again
visityork.org can provide information on opening times and so on.
York Minster
The largest medieval gothic cathedral in Northern Europe
National Railway Museum
See Mallard & the only Bullet Train outside Japan
York Castle Museum
Excellent general collections & a Victorian street
Jorvik Viking Centre
Explore Viking age York
Yorkshire Museum
Tells the story of York through the ages
York Dungeon
Entertaining grizzly bits of York history
Beningbrough Hall & Gardens National Trust Queen Anne House & Gardens
York’s Chocolate Story
Chronicles & explains an important city industry
Fairfax House
Excellent Georgian House & Terry furniture collection
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
Medieval guild hall & furniture
Quilt Museum
In a medieval guild hall. Old & modern quilts
Treasurer’s House
National Trust Seventeenth century house & furniture
Richard III Experience
Better than going to Leicester
The Mansion House
Georgian grandeur & civic regalia
Bar Convent
Religious items in a functioning convent
AND SHOPPING
York is excellent for shopping, with most national chains and lots of small specialist shops, many of which are in the
pedestrianised centre of the city. John Lewis and a huge Marks & Spencer are at Monks Cross, just outside town. As is the
York Designer Outlet, with over 120 discount and outlet stores. Details at www.mcarthurglen.com/york-designer-outlet. But
it does get crowded.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 35
p36-39 PPM Feb16_template 08/01/2016 20:56 Page 36
The weird, whacky,
ghostly and macabre
In the third instalment of our series about 20p ‘cheap’ boxes at fairs, we look at some of the more eye-catching and
bizarre cards that can turn up. The first two articles looked at bargain buys and literary themed cards.
PCs that go bump in the night – and for ‘a song’ at just 20p!
by Paul Foster
As we all know, if you look
hard and long enough, the
magical world of postcards
has pretty much
something for everyone.
There are cards to just
about suit all subjects and
tastes. Little has been taboo
over the years, however
unsavoury to some.
Sure some cards have
1
been banned as obscene in
this country and others, like
the seemingly much more innocent
Donald McGill offerings, still failed to
get past the censors in some towns. I
could go on.
But I have often been amused,
fascinated even, by some images
that have appeared on PCs over the
decades, and they often pop up in
dealers’ cheap boxes. I often
wondered if this was because sellers
didn’t know where else to put them.
Answers on a postcard please!
Why were they produced and who
for? Did they sell many, and who
would have bought them – and why?
Well, I suppose I’ve answered
some of my own questions
because I’ve bought some of
them and share them with
you here… even if the date of
sale has skipped a generation
or two since the publishers
went about their work.
I don’t pretend to like all
the cards featured on these
pages and you will have your
own views of their cultural and
social value.
Inevitably skulls and ghosts
feature – with a bit of torture
thrown in. Your average Friday
night in front of the telly then!
Here’s just a few. Where the
captions fail to tell the full story,
I’ve attempted to do so.
1) Gibbet
Chains, with
skull, and pillory,
Rye, Sussex. No
publisher. This
gibbet was a
replica of the one
used to publicly
display, for more
than 50 years, the
rotting body of
murderer John
Breads.
Breads was a
butcher by trade
and deed, stabbing
in the back Deputy
Mayor Allen Grebell, who he mistook
for his intended victim James Lamb,
the Mayor of Rye in 1737.
Breads was said to have held
a grudge after the mayor fined
3
him for cheating his customers
with non-standard weights. The
exhibit in the postcard was kept in
the cell were Breads was held
before he was hanged. At the
time of the murder, Breads is
alleged to have fled the scene
yelling “Butchers should kill
lambs!” It was further said that old
women used his bones to make
up a cure for rheumatism.
2) Leicester
Museum.
Portrait of
Daniel
Lambert.
The card
tells us that he
was born at
Leicester in
1773 (other
sources say
1770), and died
at Stamford,
Lincs, in 1809.
He measured
9ft 4in round
the body and
weighed 52
stones, 11
pounds. Published by Sydney
Pitcher of Gloucester.
36 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
2
Daniel succeeded his father as
keeper of Leicester’s jail. A keen
sportsman, respected for his skills with
dogs, horses and fighting cocks, he
was famed for his size and strength,
once fighting a bear in the streets.
When the jail closed in 1805, he
weighed 50 stone and had become the
heaviest recorded known person,
becoming a recluse. Poverty forced
him to put himself on exhibition to raise
money. He moved to London in 1806
and charged visitors to meet him. He
returned to Leicester a wealthy man.
Daniel died suddenly in June 1809.
It apparently took 20 men to drag his
casket into the trench. To this day, he
remains a popular character in his
home city.
3) Leslie
Bowles of
Lowestoft.
Sunbeam
Series,
Margate. Is
child obesity
a modern
problem?
This young
boy in the
mid-1930s
was said to
be the
heaviest
baby in the
world and
apparently
weighed 10
stone by the age of three.
He became a big talking point
online recently after rare archive
footage from the library of newsreelcompany British Pathe was posted
onto YouTube. A narrator mocks the
child’s weight. The clip was originally
shown in the UK in 1935.
4) Weerts. Death of Barra. Musee de
Luxembourg. Printed in Paris – Lapina.
A disturbing image of a young
uniformed lad set to meet a grisly end.
Joseph Barra, also written Bara
(1779-1793) was a French republican
drummer boy during the French
p36-39 PPM Feb16_template 08/01/2016 20:56 Page 37
Revolution who was too young to join
the army but did link up with a unit
fighting counter
revolutionaries in Vendée.
Contemporary reports
4
said the “courageous youth,
surrounded by brigands,
chose to perish rather than
give them the two horses
he was leading.”
Barra’s death was
seized on as a
propaganda opportunity by
Robespierre, a French
politician and a leading
revolutionary
figure. Rather than a 13year-old killed by royalists
who wanted to steal
horses, Barra in death
became a heroic figure
who, having been
trapped by the
enemy and
being ordered
to cry “Vive le
Roi” (“Long
live the King”)
to save his
own neck,
chose to die
crying Long
Live the
Republic.
5) Great Bed of
Ware. From the Fine Art series
by Shurey’s Publications, this
one might seem a strange choice
here – but it has an interesting
back-story, if you choose to
believe it. The four-poster was
11ft by 10ft and could easily
sleep four couples at a time.
Oak carved, it was thought to
have been made in the late 16th
century by Jonas Fosbrooke, a
Hertfordshire craftsman. It found
homes in no less than five pubs
in Ware over time. Large beds
were not unusual in inns where
space was at a premium and
travellers often shared them to
save money.
9
This bed was mentioned in
Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ and is
said to have been haunted by the
ghost of its maker
because,
depending on
which version you
read, he is either
offended by anyone
of lower rank than
royalty sleeping in it
- or he disliked
couples having sex
in the bed, an action
which resulted in
pinching them until
they stopped! In
1931, it was acquired
by the Victoria and
Albert Museum in
London.
5
6) The Ghost,
Hampton Court
Palace.
Published by
the Morland
Studio,
Kingston-onThames. The
palace website
7
8
mentions three ghosts – Catherine
Howard, who was dragged back
screaming to her rooms under house
arrest after being accused by her
husband Henry VIII of committing
adultery. Her ghost is called the
‘Screaming Lady.’
The other ghosts are Sybill Penn
(the Grey Lady of Hampton Court
Palace), who was servant to four Tudor
monarchs. Sightings began in 1829
when the nearby church was rebuilt
and her tomb relocated. There’s also
‘Skeletor’ – the name given to an
apparition apparently captured on a
CCTV camera in 2003.
7) Base of Whipping Post,
Twyssenden Manor Youth Hostel,
Goudhurst, Kent. An RP. I don’t know
too much about this. One definition of
a whipping post is, not surprisingly, a
“post to which persons are tied to
undergo whipping as a legal penalty.”
One can only hope that this
medieval-style punishment
considerably pre-dates the use of this
manor as a youth hostel, though no
doubt the relic would have left a strong
impression on young people who
stayed there. I believe the manor, a
listed building, wasn’t
completed until the
6
16th/17th century.
8) Bodies in Vaults, St
Michan’s Church,
Dublin. An RPPC by
Mason of Dublin.
People seem fascinated
by bodies and bones.
The first Christian
chapel on the site
dates from 1095, and
the present one from
1686.
Its vaults house
many mummified
remains. Limestone in
the walls has
kept the air dry, which
is ideal for
preservation. The
remains include the
400-year-old body of a
nun, a 6ft 6in tall man
thought to have been a
crusader and a body
with its feet and right
hand severed.
9) Palmermo Catacombe
dei Cappuccini 15331880 (Catacombs of the
Capuchins). Has the
initials BGP on the back,
who may be the publisher.
These burial chambers in
Sicily are a macabre
tourist attraction and
historical record.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 37
p36-39 PPM Feb16_template 08/01/2016 20:56 Page 38
But an investigation of the skulls a
In 1599, monks mummified a dead
few years ago revealed a higher
brother, Silvestro of Gubbio, and
proportion of women than men – with
placed him in the catacombs. Many
nearly one in ten a child or young
other bodies followed as corpses were
person. Only a few skulls indicated
dehydrated on the racks of ceramic
wounds from blows to the head. This
pipes and sometimes washed with
myth-busting led to a general
vinegar. Some were embalmed. Monks
consensus that the bones were merely
were preserved with their clothing and
Hythe residents who died and were
occasionally with the ropes they wore
buried in the churchyard.
as a penance.
Originally, the
catacombs were
10
intended only for dead
friars. But over time it
became a status
symbol for local
dignitaries to be
entombed there.
Relatives would visit to
pray for the deceased,
maintain the body in
presentable condition
and pay to upkeep the
catacombs.
The catacombs
contain about 8,000
corpses and 1,252
mummies in separate chambers,
including ones for men, women,
12
children, virgins, and priests. Some
preserved bodies are set in poses,
including two children in a rocking
chair. The last burials date from the
1920s.
The catacombs are open to the
public and have featured on British
TV, including Channel 4’s ‘Coach
Trip’ and ‘Ghosthunting’ with Paul
O’Grady and Friends on ITV2. Iron
grills prevent tourists tampering or
posing with the corpses.
13
10) Hythe – The Crypt. A
Victoria Series PC,
postally sent from Kent to
a Master Mayard, of
Blaxhall, Suffolk in 1906,
by a writer who says:
“Hythe is an awfully
decent place and a
decent lot going on here.
A person has lent us a
tent, so we can bathe as
many times as we like.”
Not sure what the
poor lad would have
thought of a PC featuring
skulls and so many bones. St
Leonard’s Church was said to
have had the “largest and bestpreserved collection of ancient
human bones and skulls in
Britain,” with shelves in four
arched bays containing 1,022
skulls and the bones of perhaps
2,000 people.
Earlier theories of the
identities included Danish pirates
killed in battle, men who fell in
the 1066 Battle of Hastings,
fallen Anglo-Saxons warriors and
victims of the Black Death.
14
38 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
11) Lancaster Castle – the Gossips
Bridle (the Brank). Published by L
Cook, of Lancaster, from the Frith
Series. The castle, once John O’
Gaunt’s home, has witnessed much
over the years – including the trials of
the Pendle Witches and Lancaster
Martyrs, and around 200 executions.
Executions were so common at one
stage that Lancaster was apparently
known as the hanging town.
Hadrian’s Tower houses a
‘Scolds Bridle’ - a metal cage to
fit over the head and a vicious bit
to keep the tongue in place. A few
hours in the bridle discouraged
women who had spread malicious
gossip, or nagged their husbands
in public, from doing so again.
11
12) Miserere Seat, Sherborne
Abbey. Published by W Warr &
Son of Sherborne. The Abbey
Church of St Mary the Virgin,
usually called Sherborne
Abbey, has been a Saxon
cathedral (705–1075), a
Benedictine abbey (998–1539)
and is now a parish church.
It contains ten 15th century
misericords (‘mercy seats’), five
on each side of the choir. These
depict such things as the last
judgment of Christ. The seats
are small wooden shelves to
offer some comfort for someone
who has to stand during long
periods of prayer.
13) Chapel of Bones, Malta. The
chapel had a crypt for burying
patients who died at a local
infirmary. The walls were adorned
with human skulls, bones and
skeletons. The chapel was
devastated by German bombing
in World War II, and demolished
in 1953.
14) Paris. Notre Dame. Chimères.
A chimera, the English translation,
was, in Greek mythology, a
p36-39 PPM Feb16_template 08/01/2016 20:56 Page 39
monstrous fire-breathing hybrid
creature composed of the parts of
more than one animal, usually a lion,
goat and snake. Published by
Neurdein and Cie, Paris.
15) A Cornish Litany. Artist Stanley J
Chaplin (below). One of a series. No
publisher. The verse of this one reads:
‘From Ghoulies & Ghosties and
Long Leggity Beasties and
Things that go bump
In the Night.
Good Lord Deliver Us.’
15
17) When two heads are better than
one – even if they are vegetables! A
tomato head in the water with human
hands and body has a close encounter
with a marrow face in this amusing
unused PC,
published in
Norway by Knut
Aune
Kunstforlag.
16
16) Guerre à la guerre (War Against
War) by Dutch painter Jan ten Kate
(1850-1929) hung in Jean Bloch’s
International Museum of War & Peace,
Lucerne (Switzerland), from 1902
until 1920.
This large painting depicts Fried,
Zola, Tolstoy, Czar Nicholas II, Dunant
and other “peacemakers” with Bertha
von Suttner, a Czech-Austrian pacifist
and novelist who in 1905 became the
first woman to be awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize. She is depicted raising a
cross to ward off Death. An unused PC.
Edition Phot. Franco-Suisse, Berne.
18) The
Commandery
Series,
Littlebury & Co.
Worcester
Press
published this
card captioned
‘Quaint
Carvings in the
Lady Chapel of
Worcester
Cathedral.’ Not
sure about the
‘quaint’
reference.
Under the
images it says
“the wicked cast into Hell,” No. 624
(left) and “a Soul suffering torment in
Purgatory” – No. 625.
18
17
19) Execution Bell,
Church of the Holy
Sepulchre, London.
19
This caption says this
bell was rung outside
the condemned cell at
Newgate by the
Bellman of St
Sepulchre at midnight
on the eve of an
execution. He then
recited these verses.
“All you that in the
condemned hole to
lie, Prepare You, for
tomorrow you shall
die; Watch all and
pray; The hour is
drawing near. That
you before the
Almighty must
appear. Examine well
yourselves; in time
repent. That you may
not to eternal flames
be sent. And when St
Sepulchre’s Bell in
the morning tolls.
The Lord above have mercy on your
souls.” The custom originated in a gift
or bequest of £50 made by Mr. Robt
Dowe in 1605.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 39
p40-41 PPM Feb16_template 07/01/2016 20:32 Page 40
Our strictly moderns man is still
‘on the dark side’ with Star Wars
Card Chat
by Mark Routh
I know I did Star
Wars last month
but I could not
resist mentioning a strip of
postcards I found in my local
Odeon Cinema.
There are six cards - with five
of them depicting characters
from the film whilst the sixth
shows and promotes the Star
Wars Adventures magazine.
For free cards these really
are
superb,
especially the five painted
images of the characters
which mainly concentrate on
the new characters from the
new film although
Chewbacca and the two
droids, R2D2 and C3PO,
are included. But it is nice
that these two original droids
are shown in company with
the new droid BB8.
I really liked these and although at the time of
writing I still have not seen the movie (I have tickets
booked) I will eagerly add any new cards to my
collection. I feature some of the cards here and
highly recommend
them. They are
printed and issued by
the rack card
company Boomerang.
Bill Downes sent
me a cracking advert
card (pictured) for the
Read’s Restaurant,
Macknade Manor,
Canterbury Road,
Faversham in Kent. The
image shows a teddy bear
using an old telephone
and the text reads “What!
Come Home? Not likely
when I’m at Read’s!”
What I really liked about this one is that image is from
a golden age issued comic postcard and the fact that I
actually have a copy of the original PC in my collection.
This modern card is larger, as is the norm for modern
issues, but otherwise the similarity (text excepted) is
fantastic. When I find the original card I will place these
side by side in my collection.
40 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
I was in London a couple of weeks before
Christmas and did my normal hunt around the
tourist shops and was pleased to find some
Pyramid issued postcards depicting James
Bond film posters for the Daniel Craig films. I
had not seen these cards before and was
pleased to get them. The cards were as
follows:PC9928 – Casino Royale
PC9927 – Quantum of Solace
PC52086 – Skyfall.
And my favourite – PC52085 – Skyfall
(pictured) which has a nice black and white
publicity photograph of the character which has
a good sultry pose.
Whilst in London, I visited the Christmas
markets on the
South Bank and
paid special interest
in the food chalets.
One in particular,
called The
‘Frenchie,’ did a
delightful confit of
duck burger with
blue cheese,
honey, caramelized
onion chutney,
crunchy duck skin
pieces and rocket
salad.
I loved it and
picked up on their
stall a free
postcard
advertising their
restaurant. If the
food there is
half as good
as their confit
of duck
burger, it
might be well
worth a visit.
The postcard
shows the
inside of this
restaurant (pictured). It is apparently on the Elephant
Road, SE17 1AY.
My main reason for this trip was an original exhibition
of Tintin artwork at Somerset House. There was a shop
attached selling Postcards of Tintin book covers
published by Moulinsart, a company renowned for Tintin
postcards in Europe.
p40-41 PPM Feb16_template 07/01/2016 20:32 Page 41
Here I picked up the following PCs:
34080 - Red Rackham’s Treasure
34084 - Destination Moon
34085 - Explorers on the Moon (pictured)
34091 - Tintin and the Picaros
34078 - The Shooting Star
34073 - The Blue Lotus
088E - Tintin in Tibet
34072 - Cigars of the Pharaoh
34075 - The Black Island.
Please
Please visit
visit my
my new
new
vintage postcard
postcard shop:
vintage
shop:
www.alfapostcards.co.uk
forUK
UKorders.
orders.
FREE
FREE 1st
1st Class
Class Postage
Postage for
New postcards added every day.
Discounts and Points Reward Scheme also available!
BEDALE
ANTIQUARIAN & SECOND-HAND BOOK
& POSTCARD FAIR
SUNDAY 6th MARCH 2016
10am – 4pm
BEDALE HALL, DL8 1AA
The Blue Lotus card was a good souvenir of this visit
as several pieces of displayed artwork were from this
story. Either way, these cards make a nice reminder of
my visit to this exhibition.
One mile from the A1. Leave at Leeming Junction
onto the A684. Venue alongside this main road and
opposite Bedale Church.
32 stalls pre-booked. Home-made refreshments all day.
Admission £1.50
www.bedalebookfair.co.uk
Loddon Auctions Ltd
Th collectables
The
ll t bl specialist
i li t
Next Postcard sale
4
VOday UI
UI .
BSDI 2016
4VOday
.BSDI
-PEEPO)BMM-PEEPO)BMM3PBE5XZGPSE3(+"
PEEPO)BMM-PEEPO)BMM3PBE5XZGPSE3(+"
Don’t miss our next postcard sale which includes many lots from newly
arrived private collections.
The sale will include a good selection of UK topographical RP’s from
various locations, military, embroidered silks, social history, foreign,
large accumulations and much more.
Free catalogues available upon request. The fully illustrated catalogue
can be viewed via the-saleroom.com from early January.
Call 0118 9761 372 or e-mail info@loddonauctions.co.uk for more information.
Loddon Auctions
Au
u
uctions
Ltd, PO Box 6223, Newbury, RG14 9JU
www.loddonauctions.co.uk
info@loddonauctions.co.uk
0118 976 1372
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 41
p42 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:33 Page 42
Hammer-time
AUCTION NEWS
The
Maurice Stevens
collection
Above right: Dixson’s Garage, Polegate
Above: WL Gregory bakery, Sedlescombe
Below: R&E Cross newsagents and confectioners,
Littlehampton.
VERATRINDER
For all your Postcard albums & accessories
www.vtrinder.co.uk
Vera Trinder - Unit 3a Hayle Ind Park,
Hayle,Cornwall TR27 5JR
Tel: 01736 751910 Email: vtrinder@aol.com
42 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
West Sussex auctioneers and valuers Toovey’s are
anticipating keen interest in the late Maurice Stevens’
postcard collection on March 22.
Maurice (pictured), 1932-2015, spent all
his life in Sussex. Born in Hurstpierpoint,
he grew up in Albourne and spent his 56years of married life in Burgess Hill.
His career as a horticulturist and
gardener gave him a love for the outdoors,
including a passion for angling. His indoor
hobbies started with stamp collecting and postal
history, but in 1979 he discovered postcards.
Maurice’s main interest was photographic
views of Sussex, but he appreciated any quality
card.
After selling his first collection of PCs, he
restarted from scratch - amassing a much larger
collection including social history and
advertising postcards, as well as quality
topographical views.
Auctioneer Nicholas Toovey said: “I believe
this collection is one of the most important
Sussex postcard collections to be offered at
auction in the last decade.
“While the strength of the collection is in
Sussex and social history, there is still plenty
on offer from other counties and a varied array
of subjects. I hope this auction is a fitting tribute to my
good friend.”
Toovey’s will be at Maurice’s local fair at Haywards
Heath on Saturday March 5 with auction catalogues,
which will be available by post from March 1.
Viewing will be on March 19, March 21 and from
10am-1pm on the day of the auction. See also the advert
on page 22 for Toovey’s website and contact details.
We show three real photographic Sussex PCs from
the auction here.
p43 PPM Feb16_template 08/01/2016 12:43 Page 42
Cut-outs show they can
still cut the mustard
Three novelty cut-out cards brought rich rewards for
a Staffordshire seller on the online auction site eBay.
The trio – described as rare Louis Wain Raphael Tuck
and Sons PCs - featured Robin Hood, Red Riding Hood
(no relation!) and Beauty
and the Beast. Together
they grossed more than
£1,100.
There were 38 bids for
the Robin Hood PC
(pictured left) with six
bidders battling it out, but
the winner left his or her
only bid, for £446, until
less than two seconds to
go. It was from Tuck’s
Dressing Dolls Fairy Tales
Series V oilettes.
The same two top
bidders also went head to
head on the Red Riding Hood card, which went for £436.
By comparison, the third cut-out went for a ‘snip’ – for
just £220, half the price of the other pair.
Elsewhere, the Titanic came up trumps as usual – this
one boasting a pre-disaster April 13, 1912, postmark, two
days before the ship sank. It fetched £546 as a Buy It
Now item, and tops our randomly-selected league table
this month. Another Titanic PC, an RP of the ship leaving
Southampton, went for £250.
While a printed PC of the Empress of India, billed as
‘Canada’s Titanic,’ went for £178. The card was posted in
1906 – eight years before the ship met her doom in the
St Lawrence River with the loss of 1,012 lives. In a three
year period, separate tragedies claimed The Empress,
Titanic and of course the Lusitania.
Other cards worthy of note include a modern AC
Green PC of the Municipality Building, Dubai (below),
Trucial States, priced,
not unreasonably you
might think, at £1.50 –
but six bidders forced
the final price up to a
staggering £303.
A best offer – we think in the region of £275 - was
accepted on what, at a very quick glance, might have
appeared to be this very run-of-the-mill printed PC of
Hereford Cathedral and
Bridge by Hildesheimer
and Co of London.
But closer inspection
revealed the card, listed
at £395, was signed by
composer Sir Edward
Elgar and sent by him
and Lady Elgar in Christmas 1908 from Plâs Gwyn, the
large house on the outskirts of Hereford, overlooking the
River Wye, where they moved to in 1904 after the
composer was knighted on July 5.
If you need further proof that eBay can be the land or
hope and glory for some sellers, we liked this lovely view
inside a
Norwegian
barber’s shop,
which features
Christoffersens
Salon in
Trondhjem. It
attracted 12
bids and went
for £150.
Another
Empress shipping card to do well was a World War One
silk of the HMT Empress of Britain, which was sent by a
Canadian soldier in 1916.
The seller, from Ontario, believed this card rare
because of its HMT (Hired Military Transport) designation
– so the eBay PC card, like the soldier who originally
bought it, would be making the journey from Canada,
only this time by air-mail instead of by sea.
eBay – randomly selected highlights from the last month
Titanic, postmarked April 13, 1912
£546
Louis Wain,Tuck, novelty cut-out Robin Hood
£446
Louis Wain, Tuck, novelty cut-out Little Red Riding Hood
£436
Thailand, 1908, Wat Chang/Temple of Dawn
£408
General Yuan Shih Kai in military uniform
£346
Construction of water filter, Columbus, IN
£346
SS Scotia expedition, Antarctica South Orkney Islands, 1903 £339
Municipality Building, Dubai, Trucial States
£303
Plas Gwyn 1908, signed Sir Edward Elgar
c£275
Singapore, Padang besar frontier station, Empire Exhibition 1924 £273
Possum Hunter, Reeds Springs, MO, RP 1915
£274
Harry Houdini card
£272
The Aurora, Dr Mawson’s Antarctic Vessel, RP, 1911
£259
Battle Mountain Saloon, NV, RP, c1910
£258
SS Titanic leaving Southampton 1912, RP
£250
Disneyland Space Mountain, RP, 1950s
£241
“On Tommy We Rely,” Silk, WWI
£239
John Walker & Co, Geographical Series advertising card, 1903 £227
Louis Wain, Tuck, novelty cut-out Beauty and the Beast
£220
Harry Houdini, early card
£212
HMT Empress of Britain, silk, 1916
£201
Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, RP, 1909
£200
Canada Manitoba, Thornhill Railway station, RP 1905
£192
Japan Airlines DC-8
£192
Three tattooed men
£187
Empress of Ireland c1906
£178
St Kilda, Scotland, landing stores used 1930
£175
London Parliament Building, silk, used 1903
£175
Truro, Cornwall, Bath and West Showground, RP, c1913
£166
Captured German Submarine U86, WWI, RP 1918
£161
North Shields, Lowlights Fish Quay, RP
£150
Barber Christoffersens Salon (interior), Trondhjem
£150
Hurst Park Racecourse fire, suffragettes, RP, 1913
£142
Enfield, Queen’s Hall Cinema showing Mary Pickford
£141
Pwllhelo to Sarn Bus, Aberdaron,
£140
Sherburn, Yorkshire, Fossetts Circus, RP
£134
Rutland St, Leicester, fire engine, RP, 1909
£133
Truro, Cornwall, GWR engine/crane/staff, RP 1913
£127
Redhill, Surrey, proclamation of George V, RP
£125
Eastbourne district map
£122
Newnham, Glos, ER Payne & Sons, quarry
£120
Brighton, North Road, Post Office
£117
Southsea, Festing Road, shop fronts
£116
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Sittingbourne, Colchester, Cirencester, Penzance, Newquay,
Falmouth, Evesham, Blackpool, Preston, Sutton Coldfield,
Worcester, Weybridge, Woking, Merthyr Tydfil, Brecon.
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Aylsham
We held a festive social evening (see
photo) on December 7, organised by
members Mary Mann and June Lamont,
with refreshments supplied by all the
club members, writes Gerald Lamont.
Two quizzes were won by Philip
West and Gary Meek and there was
also a raffle for club funds. It was an
enjoyable evening – with of course
postcards a feature of many
conversations.
We’ve no meeting in January but
our new date in February is now the
8th with postcard dealer Mike Bristow.
From April, we will meet on the
second Monday of the month – rather
than the first.
Bradford
We had a really nice and unusual
display and talk presented by our
president and his wife, Stephen and
Judith Holder, writes Graham Hall.
Simply titled ‘Speakers Choice,’ it
turned out to be cards having some
connection with the letter ‘W.’ They
began with wheelbarrows - everything
from Edwardian greetings and barrows
filled with flowers, birds and even
children. We also had watering cans,
with all sorts of different designs, types.
What other connected theme could
they come up with? Well what about
washing! I remember as a youngster in
the early 1950s there was quite a
fashion for multiview cards, especially
seaside views, to have phrases such
as ‘No More Washing Up’ on them.
Altogether amusing, different and a
perfect example of how you can form
an interesting collection from the most
common subjects.
Bury St Edmunds
Members met for a Christmas gettogether and to share our other
collecting interests, writes Steve
Kentfield. Robert Halliday also
entertained by reading a recent short
story he wrote with a spooky,
Christmas twist.
Over lovely nibbles and drinks,
members were shown professional
cinema film equipment, and learned
how the industry had changed so
dramatically in recent years. Andrew
Munro bought along some of his lessheavy items of equipment.
Followed by more nibbles, Sue
Agate showed off some of the many
brooches she has ‘acquired’ over the
years. There were some splendid
examples for all occasions.
Bob Pawsey showed some
almanacs first published in 1899 by his
grandfather which were best sellers for
many years. Sadly the firm closed for
business just before the 100th year and
so only 99 editions were published.
Richard Everett displayed a
collection of the humble decimal halfpenny and one penny pieces from the
first ones issued in 1971 showing the
various style changes they have
undergone since.
Robert Halliday ended the evening
with his collection of ‘Billy and Charlys’
forgeries dating from Victorian
Shadwell, their nickname taken from
the makers William Smith (Bill) and
Charles Eaton (Charley). Plenty of
food went back in doggie-bags! Our
meeting on January 19 was due to
feature postcard displays starting with
the letter T.
Ferndown
Of all the coastal towns of England,
surely none could be more loved than
Bournemouth - well that’s how life
member John Garrett sees it, writes
Chris Wheeler.
John presented ‘Bournemouth
Postcards,’ a magnificent collection of
black and white and colour cards from
the late Victorian, through to the
modern era, which were a real
treat. Beautifully set out with excellent
write-ups, the display followed a
fascinating timeline.
Early in the display we met Lewis
Tregonwell, who in 1810 visited the
heathland of what is now
Bournemouth. His wife loved the area
and persuaded him to build a house
there. He is regarded as the first
inhabitant of Bournemouth. Members
enjoyed a rich commentary on the
rapid Victorian and Edwardian
development.
Featuring in the display were
postcards depicting many key
buildings - including the (Royal) Bath
Hotel of 1838, St Peter’s Church
(1845) and a wooden pier (1861),
which was replaced by an iron one in
1880. 1870 saw the arrival of the
railway and superb postcards on the
theme were included.
A lovely early postcard of Bath
Road (pictured) depicting horse-drawn
carriages was a feature. Moving on,
the gift to the town of the RussellCotes Art Gallery and Museum (1922)
was significant too, as was the
opening of The Pavilion in 1929. Trams
had run from 1901, being replaced by
trolley busses in 1934. The display
addressed the inter-war years and the
bombing in WW2.
Of all the gems, two certainly shone
out…an early colour postcard
depicting Durley Chine and Durley
Hall, handwritten on February 25,1899,
and an amazing line of elephants en
route to the circus from the railway
station (pictured above). There’s also a
card pictured of milkman John Fowler.
Mid Essex
Although we had a reduced
attendance, we had a good time at our
Christmas social event. A feast of
festive snacks, soft drinks and wine
was provided.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 45
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Mid Essex
There were cards to browse,
courtesy of Ken Thom, and a raffle and
a fiendish quiz, won by Julia Nenova. It
was a lovely evening.
Our next meeting is on February
18, when Ken presents ‘Air Travel
Postcards.’
Northampton
Christmas refreshment and
competitions dominated our December
meeting, writes David McKintosh. The
results were:
Barlow Cup (12 PCs any subject)
1st: Gwen Haynes ‘Let’s Promote
Northampton’
2nd: David Leeder
3rd: Adrienne Leeder
Merit Award (6 PCs letter D)
1st: David Haynes
2nd: Adrienne Leeder
3rd: David Leeder
North Wales
Our ‘Best Cards of the Year’ were on
show at our December meeting, writes
Karlyn Goulborn.
Among the exciting finds were a
superb study of a workman shaping
blocks of
stone in a
local
quarry; a
view of the
Chester
Floating
Bath on the River Dee in c1900
(pictured above); and three early court
cards of North Wales - one of which
was the much sought-after Snowdon
Mountain Railway, Summit Hotels
card, with pictures on both sides,
dating from c1897 and postmarked
1899 (pictured below).
Palmer Award (4 PCs any subject)
1st: David Haynes – ‘Vehicles Fit for the
Task’
2nd: David Leeder
3rd Adrienne Leeder
A Card with a Difference (message
on the back)
1st: Derek Smeathers
2nd: David Leeder
3rd: Richard Dixon.
Norfolk
At our AGM last February, it was
decided that we should investigate
arranging a Christmas meal for the
December meeting, writes Richard
Frost. A meal at the Trowse White
Horse, the usual venue for
meetings, was duly booked and 15
members sat down to enjoy a seasonal
menu of good
food and
conversation.
This was a
most
successful and
enjoyable
occasion and
one that
members felt should become an
annual feature.
After the meal, the club conducted
the formal business and later browsed
the stock of charity cards brought in by
Mike and Sylvia Porter and the East
Anglian stock of dealer members Ian
and Lynne Hurst.
A most
relaxed and
enjoyable
evening was
rounded off
with a
serving of
delicious
mince pies
to get
everyone
into the
Christmas
spirit.
The next meeting will be on
February 8 when Marion Turner
displays her beautiful collection of St.
Valentine’s Day cards, just in time for
the most romantic day of the year.
Nottingham
We held our annual auction in aid of
club funds at the December meeting,
Graham Hopcroft was auctioneer and a
tidy sum was raised, writes Rose Clay.
This was followed by a board
competition for the Gordon Richards
Trophy – an annual members-only
event. There was a wide range of
subjects from travel, artist drawn and
46 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
seasonal postcards.
John Ward triumphed, taking first
and second places. The winning
board, Keep Posted, was a colourful
exhibit showing the history of the
letterbox from 1866 to date. It fully
deserved its placing.
A close second, Do You Believe in
Santa, was also beautifully put
together. The meeting ended with
coffee and mince pies.
Bob Massey is giving a
presentation entitled ‘Violet Jessop:
WW1 Nurse Stewardess and Survivor’
at our February 9 meeting at the
Arnold Library Meeting Room at 8pm.
Plymouth
A little of what you fancy does you
good proved true for Plymouth
members who certainly felt a lot better
after enjoying a memorable Christmas
cabaret at their December meeting,
writes Harley Lawer.
Marie Lloyd’s famous old signature
tune was just one of many performed
by Deirdre Dee during her one-woman
biographical show dedicated to the
Queen of Music Hall.
The former West End actress drew
on her theatrical and musical
experience to present the story of
Marie’s phenomenal international
success and turbulent private life in
words and song.
She was married three times,
divorced twice and frequently found
herself giving court testimony against
two of her husbands who had
physically abused her.
Deirdre also described Marie’s part
in leading the music hall strike of 1907;
her dismay at being left out of the first
Royal Command Performance in 1912;
and her notorious tour of the United
States, where she was interned on
Ellis Island for infringing American
marital laws.
She interspersed her story by
giving lively renditions of Marie’s
repertoire, including The Boy I Love Is
Up In The Gallery, My Old Man Said
Follow The Van, and Oh Mr Porter
What Shall I Do? with the 70-strong
audience singing along.
Deirdre (right)
changed hats and
props for each
song and
recreated the
rowdy music hall
atmosphere by
flirting with the
elderly male
members in the
audience, even singing to one while
sitting on his lap!
Mulled wine, mince pies and a free
Christmas draw added greatly to the
festive evening.
Reading
Club President Ken Hussey gave a
PowerPoint presentation to 30 members
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on “the Lartigue monorail” - a passenger
carrying rail system consisting originally
of an engine with two steam boilers,
each boiler straddling and riding on an
elevated monorail system, the rail about
3’ above the ground on steel ‘A‘ frames,
writes Roy Sheppard.
The journey was nine miles from
Listowell to Ballybunnion, in County
Kerry, Ireland. It was designed and built
by Frenchman Charles Lartigue, who
got the idea from observing desert
camels carrying goods slung either side
of their body. He first pioneered the
concept in 1881 with a 56-mile monorail
system in Algeria pulled by mules and
used for carrying esparto grass.
The journey on the Lartigue system
was made in carriages straddling the
monorail which were noisy and rickety,
the seating of the passengers had to
be arranged so that the carriages
balanced evenly on the single rail,
although guide balance wheels were
fitted to the bottom of the carriages to
provide greater stability.
The train stopped at road crossing
bridges, having to give way to road
traffic! Manually operated turntables at
both terminals enabled the engine to be
quickly reversed for the return journey.
The original system opened in 1888
and operated for 36 years, closing in
1924. It lay neglected and abandoned,
until it was restored. The former steam
powered engine was replaced by a
diesel powered engine, and the railway
re-opened in June 2003. It is now a
tourist attraction.
The show included old vintage film
footage of the original steam powered
train and was both informative and
highly entertaining.
December 10 was our AGM and
Christmas party, attended by 40
members. A successful year was
reviewed by both the president and
chairman, while the treasurer reported
another satisfactory financial year.
The
‘Brian
Eighteen
Award,’
given to
the
member
whose
work
and
contribution to the running of the club
over the years has gone unrecognised,
was awarded to Christine Frewing, and
presented by Ken (see picture above).
The ‘Phil Blow Trophy’
for most points won
throughout the year for
their winning entries in the
single card competition held every meeting - was
won by Michael Compton
(pictured), who pipped runner-up Coral
Print by one point.
The committee was re-elected enbloc, excluding Geoff Ashton, who
resigned after 15 years service in
various roles to concentrate on other
interests. Tributes and thanks were
given to Geoff for his outstanding
service and he will still be involved in
the club. Liz Tebbutt was voted onto
the committee as a new member.
Highlight was the surprise
appearance of Jenny Jerrum, whom it
was announced before the AGM
hoped to be released from hospital by
the weekend. However she returned to
the club that evening in a wheelchair to
rapturous applause, having been
discharged only four hours previously.
Jenny spent six weeks in hospital after
being airlifted there following an
accident caused severe leg injuries
requiring several operations.
On a sad note, we learnt of the
death of Mike Beglin, after a long
illness. Mike was a popular member
for many years and specialised in
collecting merchant shipping cards,
particularly of the Cunard line. Mike
just celebrated his golden wedding
with his wife Rosemarie. He will be
greatly missed by all who knew him.
provided excellent entertainment at our
December meeting when he presented
“Sussex Scrapbook Two” – a
compilation of facts, tales, legends and
folklore to be found in Sussex
churches and graveyards, writes
Trevor Cox.
Chris is a local historian who has
published several books on Brighton
and has been writing a monthly column
in the county magazine for many
years. So he knows his way round
Sussex, where to go and what to look
for when he gets there.
He disproved the local story that St.
Bartholomew’s Church in Brighton,
built by the Wagners in the 1870s, was
constructed on the dimensions of
Noah’s Ark.
Although it is regarded as the
tallest church in Britain, excluding
cathedrals, it is just one third the
Biblical dimensions of the Ark.
From the largest we travelled to the
smallest in the country at Lullington,
the Church of the Good Shepherd although it is just the remains of the
chancel of an earlier church and today
has seats for a congregation of just 20.
Actor Dirk Bogarde was brought up in
the grounds in the nearby rectory.
St Margaret’s Church at Isfield
contains the Shurley family vault
displaying effigies of the local squire,
his two wives (he remarried on the
death of the first) and his nine children
and, in custom with the times, those
children who died in infancy are
depicted carrying skulls.
A church in Midhurst records that
Guy Fawkes once worked at Cowdray
House. While at Burton Church, the
font still bears evidence of being able
to be locked by means of staples as
protection against witches.
A visit to the Woodvale Cemetery,
Brighton, shows the family grave of the
Egg family immediately next door to a
family by the name of Bacon – by
accident or by design?
No mention of Sussex folklore
would be complete without the legend
of Devils Dyke and Chris covered this
and also showed the railway, cable car
and vernacular lift, popular in
Edwardian times for a day excursion
from Brighton, whose foundations can
still be found in the undergrowth. Local
recipes were given out – lambs head
stew, a huge apple pie, and a milk
punch which included a gallon of
brandy.
The large gathering warmly thanked
Chris for a most enjoyable evening.
South Wales
SWPC’s December meeting offered a
seasonal challenge to members, who
were invited to speak about
‘shepherds’ and illustrate their talks
with a relevant postcard or two.
Members met the challenge
magnificently, writes Gareth Thomas.
Among contributors were Beryl
Williams, (‘The Nativity,’ - a painting by
Austrian artist Robert Leinweber), Noel
Cox, (David Shepherd, a Gower
newsagent and postcard publisher in
the 1930s, who was the grandfather of
Glamorgan cricketer Don Shepherd),
Trevor Brown (Shepheard’s Hotel,
Cairo), Gareth Thomas (Shepherd’s Pit
and Shepherd’s Hotel, Cwmaman; the
‘Stereophonics’ first performed live at
the latter), Selwyn Williams (Sheppard
Air Force Base,Texas) and Richard
Phillips, club chairman (George Edward
Shepherd, postcard illustrator.)
The most tangential offering was
that of Jackie Phillips, who brought
along some Mabel Lucie Attwell cards
featuring children knitting. What was
the link to the set theme? – shepherds
> sheep > wool > knitting!
Coincidentally, Beryl had an
appointment recently with a Professor
Shepherd!
Another enjoyable club evening
allowing everyone to play a part, just
like a junior school Christmas
production.
In January, Phil
Carradice is
speaking to us
London - opposite Embankment Tube
about ‘Napoleon in
Every Saturday (except Easter) - 8am to 3pm
Defeat and
Captivity.’
*Postcards *Stamps *Coins
CHARING CROSS MARKET
Sussex
Chris Horlock
Phone: 01483 281771
Rodney@rodneybolwell.wanadoo.co.uk
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The language of postcards
A picture may indeed tell 1,000 words but for many collectors the message on the back of a postcard is
every bit as important as the image on the front. And while postcards are of course written in every mother
tongue known, sometimes the language on them throws up a surprise or two. Here, three PPM readers
pick up the story - Grahame Jones looks at rhyming slang, or Cockney rhyming slang as it’s also known
because of its wide use in parts of east London; Dave Hill reports on the slang names given to soldiers in
the great armies of World War One, and French infantrymen in particular; and Bill Chapman is puzzled
why a card written in Esperanto - the most widely spoken constructed language in the world - features on
a Prague card with a Hitler stamp which was circulating in World War Two.
TRIO – is an occasional feature in which we ask you to choose any three postcards, which can be linked directly or in an obscure
way, providing they tell an interesting story. Here, with sincere apologies to our overseas readers, London-born and bred Grahame
Jones selects three PCs from his postally-used Golden Age collection. Each has a quirky message and is linked by rhyming slang.
Rhyming slang postcards!
by Grahame Jones
Recently, as I sipped my cup of Rosie Lea, I decided that I would fill the rest of my Will Hay by writing about
a selection of my Grenadier Guards. (Ok, I confess, I made that last one up). The three PCs selected are
all pre-Great War and are postally used and linked by rhyming slang.
Boat Race for face - showing an image of the Oxford Eights. These Oxford intercollege coxed competitions can be traced back to 1815 and continue on the Isis
to this day. In the spirit of “May Week was in June,” Eights Week is a four-day
regatta held annually in May, in Trinity Term.
The PC, postmarked Oxford 1909 (Christ Church College won that year) was
addressed to F Jagger of Walthamstow. The black and white card is published by
F Frith of Reigate, under Friths’ series, no. 36116A.
The narrative shows what I presume is an in-joke - “Here are a few oars for you,
can you see me in the picture?”
Ball and Wicket for ticket - talking of in-jokes in the narrative, this card has the message
“You!”
It incorporates some of my interests of social history, cricket and humour and was in the
‘knocked down’ box, due to its boxed corners.
Titled “Good enough for his county,” the EP Kinsella colour cartoon is one of a series
showing the boy as a bowler, fielder, umpire etc all with appropriate titles, e.g. Howzat and
Out First Ball. The card was published by Lansdorff & Co,
City Road in London (still there - now yet another coffee
bar!) series no. 675.
As for the addressee, I had some trouble with the writing
but deduced that it reads SJ Allen AB (presumably Able
Seaman), Mess 3, HMS Hussar (although it looks like
Assour at some angles), GPO, London.
It was posted in Kentish Town in December 1907. HMS
Hussar was an RN Torpedo Boat Gunboat constructed in
1894. After that it was used in fishery protection and later
in WW1 as a minesweeper.
Titfer - Tit for tat, for hat - I was spoiled for choice in my Edwardian actress
collection. I chose this magnificent titfer shown on the celebrated Marie Studholme.
Although I gather that she was not an exceptional actress, she had a very
popular and appealing stage presence. She had the Edwardian equivalent of a wartime patriotic hit song with “When the boys come home once more.” This was taken
from “The Messenger Boy” shown at the Gaiety.
Marie was born Caroline Maria Lupton in Bradford, 1872, and was particularly
48 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
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noted for her performances in Morocco Bound, A Gaiety Girl, The Toreador, the Geisha and Miss Hook of Holland
(I have a card of her in that one.) She also appeared in music-hall - and on Broadway, where she understudied
Letty Lind.
Marie was known for the prolific variety of her postcards. She also sold autographed cards for 6d (I must try to
get hold of one) with the proceeds going to theatrical and animal charities.
Another trait, perhaps ahead of its time, was that to keep nimble, she studied ju-jitsu under Yukio Tani. She
retired from the stage in 1915, living in Laleham and Hampstead. She died in 1930. A blue plaque adorns the site of
her home at 298 Finchley Road, Hampstead.
The card has no publisher and was posted locally in Ipplepen in February 1906 to Miss (M) Bowden of Beech
Park, Newton Abbot. The message is intriguing. I wonder what the postman thought?
“Dear M, I hope you got back alright last evening. I haven’t seen So and So yet. I shall give your message when I
do. Love from Long Fingers.”
I hope that you enjoyed this London journey, but I apologise if the slang got on your West Ham Reserves!
Day of the Hairy One!
by Dave Hill
Journee du Poilu translates as “Day of the Hairy One.”
Poilu was the affectionate name for the French infantryman in World War One,
the same as British soldiers being called Tommy Atkins or just plain Tommy.
Many French soldiers came from the countryside and sported beards and
moustaches which were allowed in their army.
Like the British War Bonds, the French “Day of the Poilu” helped to pay for the
war effort. If you donated you were given a numbered postcard like the one
pictured right. If you gave a large amount you were even awarded a special ‘Day
of the Poilu’ medal. The French held a number of these “days.”
The Poilu on the card,
throwing a grenade, does
not appear particularly
hairy. The three figures in
my second (French) card
all have neat moustaches,
no doubt specially
groomed for the photo.
This card is captioned Les Frères d’armes (brothers in
arms) - and pictures a British Tommy in the
centre, a French Poilu on
the right and a Belgian
soldier on the left.
I’m not sure there
was a slang term for a
Belgian soldier. The Poilu wears the original red trousers. The
uniform was changed to light blue throughout early in the war.
I prefer to think of almost all soldiers in the trenches of WWI having large
unkempt ‘walrus’ moustaches like the ones cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather gave
his characters, the main one being “Old Bill” like this third card.
Bairnsfather served in the trenches himself. I think his fellow soldiers
appreciated his humour. It certainly illustrates British stoicism. But we cannot
claim a monopoly on stoicism. In a particularly disastrous attack in 1917 Poilus
went ‘over the top’ making baaing noises, like lambs being led to slaughter, but
they still obeyed orders.
There was a whole vocabulary of slang in WWI. Among our allies, the
Americans were “Doughboys,” Australians and New Zealanders were “Diggers”
whilst our foes were Huns, Boches and later Jerrys. If we differentiated Germans
from Austrians, they were called Fritz and the meaning of Johnny Turk is obvious.
We may have also called the French Froggies and they may have called us
Rosbifs (for roast beef) after the supposed national dishes.
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Hitler and Esperanto
on same postcard
by Bill Chapman
I’m one of those people who prefers the handwritten text on postcards rather than the picture side.
I have spent many happy hours over the decades at car boot sales and at postcard fairs looking for cards in or
about the planned language Esperanto.
It was a big surprise for me to find on an internet auction website this PC. I immediately bought it, amazed that
such a postcard in Esperanto could circulate in 1943. I am grateful to Marek Blahuš in the Czech Republic who
kindly commented on the card for me. He translated the target address as follows:
Mr. Václav [= Wenceslaus] Rotbart, President of the Fire
Brigade Insurance Company and meritorious Esperantist, leader
of the [local] fire department, Prague-XIII, [street] Madridská [=
Madrid] [No.] 26.
The postcard bears the non-postal stamp of “Klub
malostranských esperantistů v Praze” - the Esperanto Club of
of Malá Strana (central district) in Prague.
Marek was surprised that this hand-stamp is not bilingual in
Czech and German, as he thought would be compulsory for
such a late year of World War Two in the Protectorate of
Bohemia and Moravia.
However, there may be no German included because it was
not an official document or it was produced before the Germans
invaded and established their protectorate in March 1939.
German rule was relatively moderate during the first months
of the occupation, but the Nazi regime became harsher as time
went on. In June 1942, SS hardliner Reinhard Heydrich died
after being wounded by an assassin, resulting in reprisals. The protectorate’s existence came to an end with the
German surrender to the Allies in 1945.
It is clear that the author wrote his text on top of the hand stamp - it was
already there before the message was written. This Esperanto club had
published its own postcards at one time but this is not one of them.
Considering that it was posted within Prague, the sender may have
been a Czech, because Marek Blahuš notes the absence of the definite
article in the Esperanto text in places where it could be used – suggesting
that the sender was a member of the Esperanto club in Malá Strana.
Neither he nor I can decipher the sender’s signature, and it does not
look much like a Czech name.
The recipient Vaclav Rotbart has a Czech given name, but a German
surname - not rare to this day in the Czech Republic, but we cannnot
conclude anything about whether Rotbart was German or Czech. We do
know that Rotbart is now a very rare name.
Marek Blahuš found a rare mention of Václav Rotbart in a list of
graduates from a business school in the Prague district, where he
graduated in the school year 1918/1919. This suggests that he was born
around 1900.
The mystery to me is why in 1943 a postcard in Esperanto with clear
references to Esperanto could simultaneously carry a stamp with a
picture of Adolf Hitler, who hated it so much. I am unable to say whether
The other half of the reverse of the PC
the fact that Hitler’s image appears sideways has any significance.
showing the Hitler stamp side on.
In Nazi Germany, Esperanto was persecuted well before the war,
because Dr Zamenhof was Jewish, and because of the internationalist nature of Esperanto, which was perceived
as “Bolshevist.”
In his infamous work, Mein Kampf, Hitler specifically mentioned Esperanto as an example of a language that
could be used by an international Jewish conspiracy once they achieved world domination.
Treatment of the language and its speakers varied from one occupied country to another. The British scholar
Forster recalls that “there was no systematic prohibition of Esperanto in France” in The Esperanto Movement
(1982), page 222.
In Denmark there was even some publishing in Esperanto during the war. This is the first evidence I have seen
of the survival of Esperanto in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia during WW2.
50 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
p51 PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:34 Page 51
Friends’ tributes to
‘gentleman John’
Friends have paid tribute to highly-popular collector
John Purr who died suddenly at his Berkshire home.
Paul Kingswell said: “It was such a shock. John
had been at Birmingham postcard fair only the day
before and as usual had mailed me that evening to let
me know how excited he was at his latest
acquisitions.
“A mutual interest in Isle of Wight cards (thankfully
different aspects) meant we could work as a team and
only rarely battled each other for the same card.
“John was always looking for Bay Series cards by
Dean of Sandown, but his interests went way beyond
that with the Royal National Hospital, Ventnor and
IoW Railway of particular interest - not to mention his
extensive royalty collection.
John Purr on a recent visit to the IoW
“He knew so many people, dealers and collectors,
and always had a kind word and a story to share with
all of them. I’ve rarely met someone as generous with
his time and knowledge as John. He was a true
gentleman and I will miss him sorely.”
Carola Tarrant, who with husband Mike are IoW
dealers, said: “John was a lovely, quiet spoken,
unassuming man always ready with a welcoming
smile. He was very enthusiastic about the postcard
subjects he collected which he kept wonderfully
organised and catalogued. I shall miss his presence
at fairs when we were able to catch up on his new
purchases and his family news.
“Mike and I will also miss meeting him during his
trips to the island and his amusing chatty emails
which were often very funny. John is a sad loss to the
postcard collecting community.”
Friend Helen Chapman said: “John loved the
Island. He was also a great lover of steam railways
and went all over the country visiting them. His
knowledge was immense.
“John loved his dog Karla, who he walked every
morning. He had a very close family of two daughters
and three grandchildren - the latter would stay with
John and his wife Marion throughout the week for
sleep-overs.”
Ann Gray, of Hollytree postcards, said: “John was
a lovely friend and always a perfect gentleman. He
had a terrific sense of humour and a great gift for
friendship.”
PPM draw winners
Two readers – Martin Easdown and Doug Basin have won free six-month subscriptions to PPM.
Fifty different readers’ names went into the prize
draw at David Mouser’s Wickham fair on December
27.
Most, including Martin, were readers who identified
previously unlocated Picture Puzzler Postcards from
the May to December 2015 issues.
The others were three readers who gave the most
amusing responses to a picture competition from our
July issue – or, like Doug, who just missed out on
puzzler success but offered up interesting and or
relevant information that we used.
Of the 50 names that went into the hat, eight
people were entered more than once – meaning
overall that there were 74 tickets in the hat.
Martin and Doug’s names were randomly selected
by David Mouser and Sam Wingham, at 13 the
youngest stallholder at Wickham. David and Sam are
pictured holding the winning tickets.
PPM crossword
Congratulations to the six readers who returned
correct entries in our Christmas PPM crossword.
They were David Grimsey, who was first in, Jack
Richardson, Colin Harris, Ned Paul, Ms J Tomlinson
and David and Pam Janes, who all won the chance to
place free small ads in our classified section.
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Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 51
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Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 53
p54-55 PPM Feb16_template 11/01/2016 08:48 Page 54
What’s On - PPM Fairs Diary
JANUARY 2016
23 Northampton, Abbey Centre, NN4 0RZ
(AMP)
23 London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
23 Sale, Grammar School, M33 3NH
(MDTA)
23 Chichester, Stockbridge Hall, PO19 8QR
(CR)
24 Leicester, Leicester Stage Hotel, LE18 1JW (CN)
26 Stockport, Masonic Guildhall, SK1 3XE
(AMP)
28* Ripley, Scout Hall, Surrey
(TN)
30 PRESTON, Barton Village Hall, PR3 5HE (RRPC)
30 BRISTOL, BAWA Leisure Centre, BS23 7RF (AS)
30 Portchester, Parish Hall, PO16 9TP
(JP)
30 Gravesend, St George’s Church Hall, DA11 0DJ
(NWKP)
30 Kidlington, Methodist Church, OX5 2BP
(GK)
30 London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
31 LONDON, Royal National Hotel, WC1H 0DG (ETC)
31 Carlisle, Houghton Village Hall,
(CF)
FEBRUARY 2016
3
3
4
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
10
12
13
13
13
13
13
14
Cirencester, Bingham Hall, GL7 1JT
(ML)
Croydon, St George’s Church Centre, CR0 4EZ (PD)
Newark, Showground , NG24 2NY
(IACF)
KEMPTON PARK, Racecourse, TW16 5AQ (DM)
Newark. Showground , NG24 2NY
(IACF)
KEMPTON PARK, Racecourse, TW16 5AQ (DM)
EXETER, Clyst Vale Community College, EX5 (AS)
HAYWARDS HEATH, Clair Hall, RH16 3DN (BF)
Durham, County Hall, DH1 5UL
(BRF)
Guildford, Onslow Village Hall, GU2 7QR
(CR)
Farnham, Maltings Market, GU9 7QR
(D)
London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
Cardiff, City Hall, CF10 3ND
(MJP)
Belfast, St Nicholas Church Hall, BT9 7EZ
(SM)
Southampton, Methodist Hall, SO15 5HE
(PAF)
NOTTINGHAM, King’s Meadow Campus, NG7 2NR(R)
Leigh-on-Sea, West Leigh School, SS9 2JB
(H)
Nottingham, Temple Centre, NG16 1DP
(AMP)
Nantwich, Goodwill Hall, CW5 8JE
(OVP)
STOCKPORT, Town Hall, SK1 3XE
(KSG)
Canterbury, Westgate Hall, CT1 2BT
(CB)
Kinross, Church Centre
(BRF)
Salisbury, United Reforrm Church, SP2 7RG (PAF)
London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
LINCOLN, Bishop Grossetest Uni College,
LN1 3DY
(DC)
14 Fareham, Fernham Hall, PO16 7DB
(E)
17 East Grinstead, Chequer Mead Arts Centre,
RH19 3BS
(MG)
20 SHOREHAM-BY-SEA, The Shoreham Centre,
BN43 5WU
(BF)
20 Teddington, Baptist Church, TW11 8PF (WLPC)
20 Midhurst, Grange Market
(GCA)
20 Sittingbourne, Carmel Hall, ME10 1JB
(CR)
20 Montrose, Hillside Village Hall, DD10 9HB
(NEF)
20 London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
21 Berkhamsted, Leisure Centre,
(NSCF)
23 Stockport, Masonic Guildhall, SK1 3XE
(AMP)
25* Ripley, Scout Hall, Surrey
(TN)
26 SHEPTON MALLET, Bath West Showground,
BA4 8QN
(BR)
27 SHEPTON MALLET, Bath West Showground,
BA4 8QN
27 London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
27 Kidlington, Methodist Church, OX5 2BP
(GK)
27 St Ives, Corn Exchange, PE27 5AD
(HPS)
28 LONDON, Royal National Hotel, WC1H 0DG (ETC)
54
MARCH 2016
1
2
2
2
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Ardingly, Showground, RH17 6TL
(IACF)
Cirencester, Bingham Hall, GL7 1JT
(ML)
Croydon, St George’s Church Centre, CR0 4EZ (PD)
Ardingly, Showground, RH17 6TL
(IACF)
HAYWARDS HEATH, Clair Hall, RH16 3DN (BF)
Thornton Hough, Village Hall
(WrPC)
Woodbridge, Community Centre, IP12 4AU
(H)
Belfast, St Nicholas Church Hall, BT9 7EZ
(SM)
Farnham, Maltings Market, GU9 7QR
(D)
London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
Inverurie, West Church Hall, AB51 3SA
(NEF)
New Milton, Mary Magdalene Church Hall,
BH25 6QN
(NFS/PC)
(MH)
6 Twyford, Loddon Hall, RG10 9JA
6 Bedale, Bedale Hall, DL8 1AA
(DG)
6 Clayton, Community Centre
(CJ)
6 Worthing, Heene Comm Centre BN11 4PL
(CR)
10 Plymouth, Guildhall, PL1 2ER
(PAF)
12 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Parish Centre
(BRF)
12 Margate, Union Church, CT9 1NR
(CB)
12 London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
12 Eastbourne, St Mary’s Church Hall, BN22 9PP (CR)
12 Colwyn Bay, Eirias High School, LL29 7SP (NWSF)
13 LEEDS, Pudsey Civic Hall, LS28 5TA
(KSG)
13 Chichester, Westgate Centre, PO19 1RJ
(E)
13 Herne, Herne Parish Hall, CT6 7HE
(CR)
16 East Grinstead, Chequer Mead Arts Centre,
RH19 3BS
(MG)
19 EXETER, Clyst Vale Community College,
EX5 3AJ
(AS)
19 Colchester, Parish Hall, CO6 1EJ
(TM)
19 Midhurst, Grange Market
(GCA)
19 Sittingbourne, Carmel Hall, ME10 1JB
(CR)
19 London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
19 Kidlington, Methodist Church, OX5 2BP
(GK)
19 Thatcham, Kennet School, RG19 4LL
(ThPS)
20 LONDON, Royal National Hotel, WC1H 0DG (ETC)
20 Newhaven, Denton Social Centre, BN9 0PX
(EL)
25 Rochester, Masonic Hall, ME1 1QD
(CR)
26 PRESTON, Barton Village Hall, PR3 5HE (RRPC)
26 BRISTOL, BAWA Leisure Centre, BS23 7RF (AS)
26 Portchester, Parish Hall, PO16 9TP
(JP)
26 Broughty Ferry, St Aidan’s Hall, DD5 2EH
(NEF)
27 Felbridge, Village Hall, RH19 2NT
(CR)
28 TOLWORTH, Tolworth Recreation Centre,
KT6 7LQ
(BSF)
29 Stockport, Masonic Guildhall, SK1 3XE
(AMP)
31* Ripley, Scout Hall, Surrey
(TN)
*evening
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
6
6
7
APRIL 2016
YORK, Cardexpo, Racecourse YO23 1EX
(JS)
YORK, Cardexpo, Racecourse YO23 1EX
(JS)
HAYWARDS HEATH, Clair Hall, RH16 3DN (BF)
Hastings & St Leonards, Christ Church, TN37 6GL (CR)
Farnham, Maltings Market, GU9 7QR
(D)
Sale, Grammar School, M33 3NH
(MDTA)
Belfast, St Nicholas Church Hall, BT9 7EZ
(SM)
London, Charing Cross Market, WC2
(RB)
Alfreton, Genesis Centre
(APS)
Carlisle, Houghton Village Hall,
(CF)
Cirencester, Bingham Hall, GL7 1JT
(AMP)
Croydon, St George’s Church Centre, CR0 4EZ (PD)
Newark. Showground , NG24 2NY
(IACF)
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
Fair Organiser Contacts
AMP Fairs
01283-820151
Anne Scott
01395-270322
Ass.Scottish PS
01324-415558
Bromley & Beckenham PS
0208-7787001
Beacon Fairs
01892-662132
BF
Bob Hemmings
01694-771880
BH
Bristol PC
0117-9665071
BPC
Barry PS
01446-741026
BPS
BR
Barrie Rollinson
01278-445497
BRF
Bass Rock Fairs
01368-860365
Big Surrey Fairs
07939-302425
BSF
Clive Baker
01843-862707
CB
Caledonia Fairs
01436-671429
CF
CJ
CJ Fairs
01782-661621
CN
Chris Newbold
01572-717032
CPS
Colchester Phil. Soc.
01206-570544
Chris Rapley
01795-478175
CR
Dave Calvert
01507-480280
DC
DG
Denny Gibson
01677-422863
DL
Doug Luxford
01736-786284
David Mouser
01929-463428
DM
Dorset PC
01305-871629
DPC
Emmott Pro.
01243-788596
E
EL
Eric Langdon
01273-514733
ES
Ephemera Soc.
01923-829079
E&SPS Eastbourne & Southdowns PS
01323-449723
Etc Fairs
01707-872140
ETC
Fairdeal Fairs
01732-463575
FF
F&WPC Ferndown PC
01202-871624
G
Gemma Cornish
01252 745444
GCA
Grange Com Assoc.
01730-816841
GK
Graham Kirby
01865-371494
H
Ray How
01702-544632
HPS
Huntingdon PS
01480-468037
IACF
Int. Antique & Collectors Fairs
01636-702326
JS
Jack Stasiak
01347-822722
JSm
John Smart
0208-3029356
KSG
KSG Promotions
01457-854543
LM
Lee Marchant
01787-370406
MaPC Maidstone PC
01580-712956
MDSA Manchester& District Stamp
07973-219394
MG
Malcolm Green
01342-327554
MH
Mike Huddy
01494-571716
MJP
MJ Promotions
01792-415293
ML
Mike Laight
01453-886193
MPC
Mendip PC
01458-831242
NEF
North-East Fairs
01674-832823
NFPC New ForestS/PC
01425-617877
NIPC
Northern Ireland PC
02892-634773
NPF
Northern PC Fairs
01244-535578
NPS
Norfolk PS
01603-439298
NSCF Nat Spec Coll Fayres
01869-600236
NWK
NW Kent PC
01474-325507
NWPC North Wales PC
01492-876471
NWSF North Wales Stamp Fairs
01745-826434
P
Jill Popplestone
02380-446143
PAF
Panda Fairs
01489-582673
PD
Peter Duncan
01444-482620
PPPC Poole PS&PC
01929-550052
PPS
Preston PS
01772-713917
PTA
Postcard Traders Assoc. 01233-713893
R
Reflections
0115-937-4079
RB
Rodney Bolwell
01483-281771
RJ
Richard Jones
07734-434081
RPC
Reading PC
0118-948-1350
RRPC Red Rose PC
01995-670625
RS
Richard Stenlake
01290-551122
RSP
Rugby Stamp & Postcard Fair
01788-630072
AMP
AS
ASPS
B&B
Spo
p54-55 PPM Feb16_template 11/01/2016 08:48 Page 55
Sponsored by
ScPS
SDPC
SF
SPC
SPS
SPTA
SRP
SPTA
SPS
SuPC
SWPC
SWPS
SWX
ThPS
TK
TM
TN
TPC
V
WaPS
WLPC
WPC
WPSPC
WrPC
Scottish PS
South Downs PC
Shepton Fleamarket
Scottish Congress
Shrewsbury PS
Gareth Burgess
SRP Fairs
Scottish PT
Shropshire PS
Surrey PC
South Wales PC
South Wales PS
Swinpex
Thatcham PS
Trevor King
Trevor Mills
Tim Notley
Torbay PC
V&A Fairs
Warminster Ph.Soc.
West London PC
Wealden PC
Worcester Ph. Soc
Wirral PC
01382-667901
01323-449723
01278-784912
0131-4566412
01743-860910
01368-860365
01322-662729
01368-860365
01743-860910
01428-642379
02920-693040
01656-740520
01793-728330
01635-866942
01522-857343
01702-478846
01932-341527
01803-311130
01225-760597
01225-760597
0208-8925712
01293-786419
01299-824829
0151-606-0933
Upcoming Auctions
FEBRUARY 2016
17
Trafford Books, Manchester (O/L)
0161 8778818
23
Toovey’s, Washington
01903 891955
MARCH 2016
6
Loddon, Twyford
0118 9761372
16
Warwick & Warwick, Warwick
01926 499031
19/20 Lockdales, Ipswich
01473 627110
22
Toovey’s, Washington
01903 891955
30
Trafford Books, Manchester (O/L)
0161 8778818
O/L – online
International Fairs
Feb 20
Dresden, Alte Mensa
www.sammlerwelt-dresden.com
Feb 21
Toronto, Japanese Canadian Cultural
Centre www.torontopostcardclub.com
Feb 20-23 Champerret Paris, salon du livre et
papiers anciens
Feb 28
Sydney, Imar Hall, Croydon
www.postcardnsw.com
Mar 11-12 Houston (TX), Sheraton Hotel North
Houston www.courthousesquare.net
Mar 18-19 New York City, Midtown Holiday Inn
440W. 57th St www.marylmartin.com
Mar 19
Kamenz, Hotel am
www.sammlerwelt-dresden.com
Key to number of PC dealers at fairs:
RED BOLD CAPS - 35 or more
BOLD CAPS - 25 or more
Bold type - 16-24
Medium type - 7-15
Medium italics - 3-6
* evening fairs
Three non-specialist dealers are calculated to be
equivalent to one specialist postcard dealer for
the purposes of this diary. Care is taken to make
sure that information in this diary is accurate, but
the publishers accept no responsibility for errors
or omissions.
Spotlight on
Julian and Sue Allen (Serendipity Postcards)
Please describe your
stock and any
specialities.
Primarily UK
topographical with
some subjects. No
foreign.
How long have you
been dealing?
Nearly five years.
How did you start?
I had my own business
which I closed in the
last recession, so
needing to generate an
income I started to sell
my own stamps and
first day cover
collection. But as I
needed to diversify two
good friends, Simon Collyer and
Pete Robards, helped add a few
boxes of postcards to my stock –
and, from this, the amount grew and
grew.
Which fairs do you do regularly?
We attend most of the larger fairs,
particularly in the south and
Midlands. We trade on eBay and
have a postcard/stamps and
collectable stall at the Customs
House in West Bay, Bridport, and
Yeovil Emporium in Princes Street,
Yeovil.
What’s the strangest PC – or theme
– that you’ve ever been asked for?
I am surprised by nothing now! But
some of the more unusual include
church doors and conkers. I was
once asked for the Loch Ness
Monster. Without thinking, I replied:
“Do you want real photographic?”
What do you think of the state of the
market at present? Is it a better
market for buyers or sellers, both or
neither!
Most fairs seem less well attended
and I think two-day fairs will
disappear. There will always be a
demand for the better cards which
should continue to appreciate in
value. The internet has opened up
a wider audience (worldwide) and I
think both should be utilised to
maximise potential. Although I
have not been trading that long
compared to some dealers, I have
seen subjects of top areas go in
price cycles – falling in and out of
favour. So it changes when it is a
better market for buyers and
sellers.
Why do you think it’s such a great
hobby?
There is so much variety of subjects
and reasons to collect different
themes – eg areas, a particular
photographer, family history or
postmarks.
Do you collect postcards – and if so
what?
Everything I have not sold – just ask
Sue!
If you were starting a new collection
now what kind of cards would you
go for?
I would collect the areas where I
have lived – West Bay/Bridport,
Harwell (Oxfordshire) and
Stowbridge.
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 55
p56-57 PPM Feb16_template 12/01/2016 12:12 Page 56
Phone: 023 9242 3527
Email: info@picturepostcardmagazine.co.uk
Website: www.picturepostcardmagazine.co.uk
PPM Classified Advertisements
WEBSITES
MODERNS FOR SALE
LITERATURE
POSTCARDENMARK. Vintage quality postcards.
www.stores.ebay.co.uk/postcardenmark
OLDER DALKEITH SETS for sale.
Railways and Poster sets £3. Visit
www.dalkeithcatalogue.com or phone 01202
292905 mornings only.
“A Lifetime in Postcards”. My book, my
illustrations, £14.99. Contact www.ggpp.co.uk
THE POSTCARD ALBUM - Int’l postcard
collector magazine from Germany in English.
Issue 29 out now. 40 packed pages. Old
postcard
printer/publisher
research,
trademarks identified etc. Major topics: Georg
Gerlach & Co, Berlin, Otto Schloss, Berlin, the
Esmeralda Sisters, an unusual “Freemason
Code” found on postcards and much more.
Copy £4 inc. post from GB representative:
Ron Griffiths, 47 Long Arrotts, Hemel
Hempstead, Herts. HP1 3EX. Or visit
www.tpa-project.info for more information.
DALKEITH POSTCARDS for Railway and
Shipping see:- Dalkeithcatalogue.com. Tel.
01202-292905.
POSTCARDENMARK
Vintage Quality Postcards
www.delcampe.net/stores/postcardenmark
www.ukpostcards.com
GOLF ON OLD PICTURE POSTCARDS
We are a Brand New Website dedicated to
offering a comprehensive range of Antique
Original Golf & Golfing Postcards
M.E.P POSTCARDS (Moderns)
John and Margaret Pearsall
Most Subjects Stocked – Lists Available
Free Bi-Monthly Stock Additions List
34, Franche Road, Wolverley.
Kidderminster. Worcs. DY11 5TP
Tel: (01562) 850915
Email: admin@meppostcards.co.uk
Website: www.meppostcards.co.uk
AUCTIONS
POSTCARDS FOR SALE
JUST DOWNSIZED, selling my collection.
Email your wants to Thomas Bathgate,
thomas.bathgate@yahoo.co.uk.
Specialising ONLY in Golfing Postcards
www.golfonoldpicturepostcards.com
Email:golfpicturepostcards@outlook.com
Looking for vintage
old postcards?
Please visit our online shop
www.hoogeduinpostcards.com
Jac. Verloop, Schoolstraat 1,
2202 HC Noordwijk,
The Netherlands
Tel. +31 71 3617568
STEWART AND WOOLF silhouettes £3
each published by Photocrom £25 (100),
Peacock £25 (100). Freda Gittos, phone
01594 531069.
EVERY TUESDAY, 9am – 2pm, United
Reform Church Hall, Nuneaton, CV11 6QH.
Ted 02476 319605. No parking on site.
VARIED
STOCK
internet
sites
Delcampe.co.uk/ukstores/miles10, Ebay
bat10.4. Bob Sims milesstog@aol.com.
COLLECTION OF PORT TALBOT area. A
silk embroidered card of the Royal Flying
Corp with censor mark. A card of Lundy
Island postally used from there in 1909. Can
be
viewed
in
central
London
keithdnickol@hotmail.co.uk.
MILLSTON POSTCARDS
www.millstonpostcards.co.uk
David Wright F.R.A.S.
New stock added weekly.
Paypal/cheques accepted
Alan McKinnell
P.O. Box 323, HARTLEPOOL TS24 4EP
Tel. 07980-606564
enquiries@millstonpostcards.co.uk
I can find the Postcards you are
looking for
Please send me a list of your ‘Wants’
Sunnyside, 524 Coulsdon Road,
Old Coulsdon Common, Caterham,
Surrey, CR3 5QQ
Telephone 01883 345 280
e-mail david11978@hotmail.co.uk
2 Million Postcards in Stock
Oldpostcards.com – All Topical
Worldpostcards.com – Every Country
USpostcards.com – USA Town Views
Alan Gottlieb, PO Box 63373
Colorado Springs, CO 80962, USA
Email – alan@oldpostcards.com
Phone – 001 719 622 6722
FAIRS
Panda Fairs
M.E.P. Postcards
POSTCARDS with Stamps,
Postal History.
(Modern Specialists)
Southampton
www.meppostcards.co.uk
SATURDAY 6th February.
Methodist Hall, St James Rd,
Shirley SO15 5HE
New Website with basket and
online facilities
Sailsbury
COST: Lineage: 16p per word per month (1-3
insertions) 13p per word per month (4 or more
consecutive insertions without text change)
e.g. 12 words: £1.92 for 1 month, £3.84 for 2
months, £5.76 for 3 months, £6.24 for 4 months,
£7.80 for 5 months, £9.36 for 6 months.
Minimum cost of single insertion £1.50. Minimum
cost of multiple insertions £1.20 per month.
Semi-display (boxed) £9.50 for 3 col. cms, £2.25
each extra col. cm. (price includes lineage).
PAYMENT: All classified adverts should be prepaid.
When calculating cost, do not count street number,
and calculate tel. no./postal code as one word
each.
SATURDAY 13th February.
U.R. Church, Fisherton St, SP2 7RG
See Website for other venues also
Solent Stamps (Peter Jones)
P.O. Box 14, Sarisbury Green
Southampton SO31 6YR
01489-582673
peter@solent2.freeserve.co.uk
www.pandafairs.co.uk
56 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
DALKEITH AUCTIONS CATALOGUE please go to www.dalkeithcatalogue.com. If
you are not on the net and would like a copy
of our monthly auction catalogue phone
01202 292905 mornings only.
POSTCARDS WANTED
HOLIDAY CAMPS, caravan parks, youth
hostels. P Dunn, 12 Wyndham Crescent,
Burton-Upon-Trent, DE15 0DF. Tel 01283
845190.
BRADFORD (WEST YORKSHIRE). Put a
smile back on the face of a venerable old
collector by sending anything of Bradford
(West Yorkshire) and surrounding villages.
Even if you think they are common – Bradford
Exhibition cards most welcome.
Also
interesting ephemera of the city. Plus (yes
there is a plus) cards depicting Scar Village (re
Scar House Reservoir Construction). Graham
Hall, “Moorside”, 43 Micklethwaite, Bingley,
West Yorks, BD16 3JW. Phone 01274
564518.
EXHIBITION CARDS wanted by collector,
especially cards of stands and advertising cards,
no foreign exhibitions wanted. Also Church
Missionary cards, Crystal Palace, and topo’s for
the following areas: Anerley, Beckenham,
Elmers End, Hayes, Keston, Penge and West
Wickham. Postage paid. Bill Tonkin, 23 Bramley
Way, West Wickham, Kent BR4 9NT.
FLIXTON GREATER MANCHESTER. P J
Spencer, Eponavilla, Chantry Lane, Groby
Road, Leicester, LE3 9QJ.
ANY AIRPORTS & AIRLINE ISSUED
PROPELLOR aircraft wanted. Mike Charlton,
4 South East Farm, Horsley, NE15 0NT. Email:
postcard@maglas.wanadoo.co.uk
or
www.aviationpostcard.co.uk.
PRE 1945 PEMBROKESHIRE postcards
depicting village life and/or street scenes.
Contact Mike Phillips Phone 07780 445377.
mgphillips1@hotmail.co.uk.
A.M.DAVIS MESSAGE CARDS, UK and US
types. J Garrett, 1 Plecy Close, West Parley,
Dorset, BH22 8QL. Tel: 01202 871624. Email:
jogar1933@talktalk.net.
PLYMOUTH AND BOY SCOUTS early
postcards on approval please. Graham
Brooks, 28 Rawlin Close, Plymouth, PL6 5TF.
METROPOLIS SILENT FILM 1927 any
postcards wanted. Allan Hodges, 32 Hanbury
Crescent, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 4BW.
Telephone 01902 331502.
PALESTINE
I am looking for all cards
David Pearlman
788-790 Finchley Road,
London NW11 7TJ
Telephone 020 8201 8998
Email: david@centrum-uk.com
p56-57 PPM Feb16_template 12/01/2016 12:12 Page 57
SYNAGOGUES (WORLDWIDE) JEWISH
PALESTINE (PRE-1948) BRITISH FORCES
PALESTINE
JEWISH STREET SCENES
(WORLDWIDE) PALESTINE
HOTELS (INC. CACHETS)
GRUSS AUS PALESTINE
OR
Any other interesting postcards on a Jewish
or Palestine theme
eagerly sought by collector.
For immediate response please write to:
Adrian Andrusier
c/o Berkeley Burke,
4 Devonshire Street, London W1W 5DT
or telephone 07831-757330
Local Authority Reward Cards
sought by experienced collector
LCC, School Board for London, Reading,
Norfolk and others, but not Hampshire.
Scans of cards available are appreciated.
Patrick Marks, 40 Lawmill Gardens,
St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8QS
patrick.marks@btinternet.com
EARLS COLNE, WHITE COLNE & COLNE
ENGAINE, CHAPPEL & WAKES COLNE
(ESSEX)
Good R.P. cards always required
Gerry Kelly,
20 Waldemar Avenue,
Norwich, NR6 6TB
Phone: 01603 417961
SALVATION ARMY postcards wanted. David
Pickard, 1 Beauval Road, East Dulwich,
London SE22 8UG. Tel: 020 8693 2585.
NORWAY. Early cards/Postal History - Scott
Simpson, 14 Dower Road, Sutton Coldfield B75
6UA. Email: scottsimpsonuk@btinternet.com
NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE postcards, Glyn
Thursfield, 65 Brakenwood Road, Bebington,
Wirral,
CH63
2LT.
Email:
glynthursfield249@btinternet.com.
ASTRA ANTIQUES
HEMSWELL CLIFF
LINCOLNSHIRE
Has a growing stock of over 10,000 old
postcards. Open 7 days a week from 10-5.
This is the hub of the antiques trade in the
UK with 7 antique centres and 700 dealers on
the site of the old RAF Hemswell DN21 5TL
LEWES, RINGMER, NEWHAVEN please.
Bob Cairns, Penn House, Lewes Road,
Ringmer, East Sussex, DN8 5ER. Email:
rjandljcairns@btinternet.com.
www.astra-antiques.com
E HAMEL & CO CALLENDER cards 1905
– 1912. Please send photocopies to John
McFall, 34 Glenwood Avenue, Eastwood,
Essex, SS9 5EB
WEYMOUTH
BREWERS QUAY EMPORIUM
ROLLESTON HALL Staffs, exterior, interior,
all aspects. B.M.Talon, London, WC1N 3XX
PARACHUTE
OR
PARACHUTISTS
postcards pre WWI wanted. Barry Stagg, 1
Naunton Way, Cheltenham, GL53 7BQ or
email bastagg@btinternet.com.
OLDER AND BETTER SCOTTISH VILLAGE
and town views, especially Aberdeenshire,
Angus, Fife and islands. Chad Neighbor, 8
Dalgarno Park, Hillside, Montrose DD10 9JF.
(T) Email: chad@cneighbor.plus.com
When visiting the South West
look out for postcards, stamps,
FDC’s and small collectables.
HOPE SQUARE, WEYMOUTH,
DT4 8TR
01305 788274
Open 7 days a week 11-5
PAGE POSTCARDS
JA-JA HERALDIC series postcards wanted.
David Pickard, 1 Beauval Road, East Dulwich,
London, SE22 8UG. Tel. 020 8693 2585.
SHOPS
E-mail: gerry.kelly@btconnect.com
ISLE OF MAN, GIBRALTAR,
MONACO, VESPA, CUNARD QE2.
Quality cards desired.
MAX COLLISTER,
20 CREGGAN LEA,
PORT ST MARY,
ISLE OF MAN IM9 5BE
Tel: 01624 832062 (T)
HUNTON BRIDGE postcards wanted.
Postage paid. Mr P C Smith, 44 Abbots
Road, Abbots Langley, Herts, WD5 0BG.
WANTED LARGE LOTS, mixed subjects
older, not modern. Mr I Farrow, 8 Mongers
Mead, Barcombe, East Sussex, BN8 5BE.
HAYLING ISLAND, Sinah Warren, Sinah
Lane, The Kench, real photo only. Peter May,
peter@stitch-ed.co.uk. Tel 02392 461349 or
07958 471899.
SAWSTON - CAMBRIDGE wanted on
approval.
Mrs Jacobs, 21 Westmoor
Avenue, Sawston, Cambridge, CB22 3BU,
01223 833475. Prompt reply.
MILITARY POSTCARDS AND CAMPS by C
E Amphlett of Ludlow Shropshire. Mr J
Price, Cynghanedd, Penybont, Llandrindod
Wells, Powys, LD1 5SW. Tel: 01597 851133.
ASHLEY or MARKET HARBOROUGH both
Leicestershire. Mr M West, email
info@emersonandwests.co.uk or ring 01858
462181.
DONALD MCGILL post 1930 also Comic
Costermonger cards. Mr M Stringer, 6 Dukes
Road, Billericay, CM11 1BP, telephone
01277 651508.
SHUREY’S PUBLCATIONS card of The
Post Office Underground Station. Anne
Phillips, 42 Victoria Close, Thurston, Bury St
Edmunds,
IP31
3SX.
Email:
annephillips100@gmail.com.
ABC LETTER, Santa Claus, Mabel Lucie
Attwell, Harry Lauder by Millar & Lang, G L
Barnes or cats. Details and price: Mr I
Farrow, 8 Mongers Mead, Barcombe, East
Sussex, BN8 5BE.
WANTED – your unwanted plastic slips.
Cash paid. Please find me at Stall P38 at
Shepton Mallet. Mark Wingham. PPM.
Sunny EASTBOURNE
has a Collectors’ Shop,
trading in a wide range
of collectables.
Over 35,000
OLD POSTCARDS
always in stock. Also stamps, coins &
medals, cigarette cards, toys, silver,
ephemera
SORRY NO APPROVALS
(too busy bowling!)
Open Tues and Sat 10 - 5
Other times by appointment
“FRANCOIS”
26 South Street,
Eastbourne, Sussex
Tel: (01323) 644464
(Home) 01323-730691 after 6 pm
FOSTERS OF FILEY
When visiting the East Coast please call
in for:- Postcards, Stamps, Postal
History, FDC’s and small collectables
28 BELLE VUE STREET, FILEY,
NORTH
YORKSHIRE YO14 9HY
01723 514433
Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat
M & C CARDS
STOCK OF OVER 10,000
POSTCARDS
Topo & Subjects, Cigarette Cards
& selection of Modern Cards
also available
Advertising Collectables
Signs, Tins, Packets, Breweriana etc.
OPENING HOURS: THURS - MON
10AM - 5PM, SUN 1PM - 5PM
Shop 1.13, GLOUCESTER ANTIQUE
CENTRE, HIGH ORCHARD STREET,
GLOUCESTER GL1 5SH
PHONE: 01452 506 361
E-MAIL: mick@mandccards.co.uk
Over 80,000 postcards for sale in 8
Antiques and Collectors’ Centres
BERKSHIRE
HUNGERFORD ARCADE RG17 0NF
OPEN DAILY
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
CIRENCESTER ANTIQUES CENTRE
GL7 2NX
OPEN DAILY
HEREFORDSHIRE
LEOMINSTER – THE SECONDHAND
WAREHOUSE AND ANTIQUES
CENTRE HR6 8DR
OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
BRACKLEY – ANTIQUES CELLAR
NN13 6BE
OPEN DAILY
OXFORDSHIRE
CHILTON - THE ANTIQUES &
COLLECTORS CENTRE OX11 0QN
OPEN DAILY
OXFORD - ANTIQUES ON HIGH
OX1 4BG
OPEN DAILY
WALLINGFORD – LAMB ARCADE
OX10 0AA
OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY
YARNTON – NURSERIES ANTIQUE
CENTRE OX5 1PA
OPEN DAILY
Ebay - a few of my better cards can
be found at daisygrove_5
Full details in the Picture Postcard
Annual
At all centres I offer a 20% discount
on cash purchases totalling £50
or more
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 57
February’s PPM
puzzlers
p58-59 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 13:47 Page 58
We’re on a roll - can you help keep the run going?
Well, despite some tough
challenges, you successfully
identified seven out of nine
previously unlocated postcards in
both the November and December
editions of PPM to end 2015 in
style.
We reckon this is a harder batch
in month two of 2016. See what you
think of this latest offering of ten
PCs.
PPM readers are asking for your
help in solving these puzzlers.
Please don’t forget to offer up any
evidence or explanation for your
answer.
The first authentic identification of
each one wins you either two free
30-word classified advertisements or
for your name to go into draw at the
end of June to receive one of four
free three-months subscriptions to
PPM, obviously including
post/packing.
We may also add your name to
the draw if you’re not first to ID the
card, but offer up other interesting
information.
The PPM free-draw offer will
include entries not just from other
Picture Postcard Puzzlers up to that
date, but may possibly include the
winners of other competitions too.
There is no limit to the number of
times your name can go into the
draw.
If you have a postcard or cards
that you’d like identified, please send
it/them with a 1st class stamp for
each card, and your full address.
There is also no limit to the
number of PCs you can submit. All
our contact details are on Page 3.
List any identifiable clues on a
separate piece of paper, and write
your name in pencil on the back of
every PC that you submit. We will
include your name unless you ask us
not to.
If you don’t want to send your
PC/PCs through the post, emailed
scans are accepted with the editor’s
prior agreement. But we do not
accept laser copies I’m afraid.
442/1 No publisher for this PC, which was sent to Weymouth and is
captioned Mr GK Birminghams Gymnastics. The only part of the
postmark that you can read says High, which appears to be a
standalone word. George Sawyer collection.
442/2 Tim Harding is
looking for a location
for the Mountain
View Hotel, which
sells Allsopp’s Burton
Ales and has a tea
room. The two letters
on the car
registration plate are
EH for you supersleuths out there!
442/3 Golden
Key in big letters
above the
window above
the doorway in
this shopfront.
Adverts in the
window for
starch and Fry’s
Chocolate.
Tough one.
David Bowen
collection.
58 Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016
442/4 YA 321 on
the registration
plate of this
Hackney Carriage
with a Dennis
chassis outside
the premises of
motor engineer
W.E. Challice.
Card owner Paul
Martin will be
hoping this chalice
isn’t of the
poisoned variety!
p58-59 PPM Feb16_template 13/01/2016 10:59 Page 59
442/5 A super PC outside a seafront location’s concert room.
This tram, which would be illuminated at night, has ‘Welcome to
Princess Louise’ in lights along the side, and owner Clive Baker
suspects it might be from the Lincolnshire or north east coast of
England. Can you help him out?
442/7 This PC a bit different – as information about the card is
more likely than a location. Owner Grenville Collins said the
backdrop of the card – which says Travellers - suggests that it
may be connected to the Royal Air Force. He dates the card to
the 1920s or 1930s. The undivided reverse has a crest of what
looks like a spool or bobbin with a thick circle hanging from it and
three letters which make an emblem - PGL or GPL.
442/9 This attractive PC sent to a Miss Knapp, care of South
Luffenham Hall, near Stamford – but sadly the stamp has
been removed to wipe out any further clues from the
postmark. Clearly a considerable property on view – but
where? Paul Sutton-King collection.
442/6 Clearly a Victory Parade – and the clock on the right
might help identify this real photographic street scene. But
where is it? Bill Kirkland collection.
442/8 A printed card captioned The Village Inn. The sign
might say Barley Mow, certainly the first word looks like
Barley or Marley. There are of course many, many drinking
houses of that name, but the distinctive thatched building may
help. Jim Thomas collection.
442/10 A remarkably impressive multi-pillared building with
turret - and two police officers on duty outside. Surely someone
will help owner Jean Brown with this one.
January 2016 results
Paul Cleary identified 441/1 as Boston Spa High Street, West Yorkshire. The unnamed shop to the left of the bank is now the
Stew and Oyster restaurant. Douglas d’Enno placed 441/2 as the Westbourne near Bournemouth, and sent us a view of the
shop today. It does shoe repairs and key cutting. Douglas also named 441/3 as Clarence Street, Kingston, Surrey. Jim Shiels
thought 441/4 may be an Irish tobacco growing industry card as it’s similar to ones he bought in the mid-80s, produced by Payne
& Cuddy, of the Navan area. Some of the PCs had photographer details, but most didn’t, though they were from the same
source. Jim said: “This tallies in quite well, as the industry continued in Ireland until the late 20s, being illegal in England at the
time this card was produced.” 441/6 got by far the biggest response. Jim Rackham was first to place it as Stanmore,
Winchester, looking south towards St Catherine’s Hill. Nick Braddock said “not much has changed except a shop and café off to
the immediate right and more housing on left.” Douglas d’Enno thought 441/7 may be Broad Oak, Kent. Any thoughts anyone?
From December 2015, Robert Sims identified 440/6 as Main Square (now the Gravel), Stogursey, Somerset – giving us a
success rate of 77% for the second successive month. Well done everyone. Keep up the good work!
Picture Postcard Monthly February 2016 59
p60 OBC PPM Feb16_template 06/01/2016 15:35 Page 2
The ‘Postcard Lady’
How’s this for a fashion
statement. We wonder if it
will catch on?
This real photographic
postally unused postcard
features a woman adorned in
images of postcards, a mixture
of topographical and social
history by the look of it.
Not sure if her dress would
make the catwalks of
London, Paris, Rome or New
York. But not a bad walking
advertisement for our hobby
and a different take on
sandwich boards!
There’s no publisher or
photographer on the PC, but
it looks like a typical portrait
postcard photographer’s
studio backdrop. Perhaps this
was to help promote a family
business.