Postcards
Postcards are a fascinating snapshot of social history, developed from a need to send informal correspondence quickly and cheaply.
Originally blank both sides, but with pre-printed postage, they soon became popular. Around 75 million postcards were sent in Britain in 1871. After a number of years of strict rules regarding their layout, the Post Office eventually accepted privately-published, illustrated cards in 1894, with the ‘divided back’ being introduced in 1902.
The rise in popularity of seaside holidays saw a boom in postcard use, both in the UK and abroad, enabling holidaymakers to stay in touch with loved ones, maybe show off a little about their adventures and keep a little memento of their travels. At their peak, over 900 million postcards were delivered, per year, in Britain.
Whilst no longer the quickest means of communication, there is still a keen interest in collecting old postcards, with written examples offering a tangible link to the past. They can be a great way to illustrate family trees and memory books, provide inspiration for media projects, are ideal for postcrossing or can even be framed as alternative works of art!
Click/tap on the button below to browse our range of vintage postcards.