Photographs, vintage postcards and other ephemera


Monday 29 October 2012

A terrible crossing, 1925

Norway. August 4th.
We had a terrible crossing - I refused all meals for 38 hrs. & lay in a deck chair without moving, for 13 hrs. on Sunday, truly a day of rest.
The glorious scenery more than makes up for it now. This afternoon we drive up this valley in a funny little two-seater trap. Life on board is very frivolous, a band always playing & quite riotous dancing in the evening. I have heard no results of examns. Love F.M.P.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Afternoon Tea

This week's Sepia Saturday prompt suggests a variety of themes; I'm going with the tourist angle. My image is from an Edwardian album of photographs from holidays in the Isle of Man, the Lake District, Yorkshire and France dating between 1908 and 1910. Some of the photographs are captioned with details of the place and activity but names of the people are not included.
This is the one of a pair of photographs taken in the Isle of Man (possibly in Douglas) and mounted on facing pages of the album.

More of this week's entries over at Sepia Saturday

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Cornflower

I wonder whether he chose the flower to match the colour of his eyes...

Sunday 21 October 2012

Perching on a rock

A lovely seaside portrait with impressive fake rock and painted backdrop. On the reverse: While U Wait Studios, 165, Promenade, Wellington Terrace and 70, Talbot Road, Blackpool. For extra copies send Photo and date taken. Enlargements from this Photo 1/1½ Post Free. This Photo Beautifully Coloured 6½d. Post Free.

Saturday 20 October 2012

Original

I can't find an image in my collection that's quite right to illustrate this week's Sepia Saturday theme so here's something completely different.
It's not so much the image that takes my fancy (although the subject looks like a nice, confident young man), it's the written message on the back that does: With best wishes from the original.


More of this week's entries over at Sepia Saturday.

Saturday 13 October 2012

A mess of officers

My offering for this week's Sepia Saturday image is a group of officers from World War I.
I can't tell which regiment the officers belong to because their cap badges are too indistinct to identify. The different cuff insignia which indicate rank shows the officers are either Captains, Lieutenants or 2nd Lieutenants. I think the photograph was taken at Southend on Sea, Essex; the Joy Wheel in the background looks identical to the wheel at the Kursaal, Southend's amusement park. (Click here and scroll down to the third photograph to compare the two.) 
One thing I really like about this image is the contrast between the serious men and the two mascots posing cheekily in the front row.

More uniforms over at Sepia Saturday.

Thursday 11 October 2012

The Old Parish Church, Hove

St. Andrew's Church, Church Road - usually referred to as St. Andrew's Old Church because there's another St. Andrew's Church elsewhere in Hove. The decorative iron railings enclosing many of the graves no longer exist - they were removed during World War II for use as scrap metal.

Monday 8 October 2012

Picturesque Leicestershire

Shady Lane, Evington, Nr. Leicester.
On the reverse: A. & C. Taylor's "Orthochrome" Series. (Copyright). V.O. 3946. 9, Long Lane, Aldersgate St., London E. C. Printed in Saxony.

Saturday 6 October 2012

Poole Harbour

This week's Sepia Saturday post has a nautical theme.
 
I did a bit of a double-take when I first saw this card, mis-reading the word Poole and thinking it was Goole, my home town. I bought it anyway because it's a lovely image and the card is postmarked with a nice clear date (September 14, 1904). I also liked the embossed coat of arms and motto which translates as "According to the custom of the Town of Poole".

More of this week's entries over at Sepia Saturday.

Thursday 4 October 2012

The New City Hall, Hull

Written on the reverse: Henry, with love from Father. 4/12/11. Read about the history of Hull City Hall here.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Hove, Old Parish Church

St. Andrew's Old Church, Church Road, Hove.
On the reverse: The Wrench Series. No. 2879. Printed in Saxony. Printed specially for S. Combridge, 50 Church Road, Hove.

Monday 1 October 2012

Knitted dress

On the reverse: Scriven, Castleford & Normanton. Written on the reverse: To Auntie Ethel and the Dear children. From Aunt Nora and Uncle Charles, xxx.