A seasonal image for the Christmas period: an early twentieth century celebrity postcard. It is captioned "The mother of The Missess Zena and Phyllis Dare". Zena and Phyllis were musical comedy stars of the early years of the twentieth century, and their mother was Harriette Amelia Wheeler. She was the victim of an unhappy marriage … Continue reading Christmas
Category: Vintage Postcards
Hearth
The 16th century Clough House stood on Halifax Old Road, just north of Huddersfield. Its grandness can be judged by the fact that under the 1664 Hearth Tax it was taxed on five hearths, which at the time was not just grand it was positively greedy. Sadly it was demolished in 1899 and now lives … Continue reading Hearth
No Message Required
This is a rather strange picture postcard featuring the Victorian and Edwardian entertainer, Marie Studholme. The photograph is fetching enough: she sits suspended in a hammock next to a table bearing a tennis racket. The table, however, also contains a basket full f some strange unidentified objects that look rather like a cross between a … Continue reading No Message Required
The Midget Gem That Is Lily Brayton
This midget gem dropped through my letter box yesterday, along with a dozen or so more old vintage postcards (is there a word for people who are addicted to buying useless ephemera on eBay?) I have never come across a "Midget Post Card" before, but they appear to have been popular for a short period … Continue reading The Midget Gem That Is Lily Brayton
Fowler’s Album
My interest in vintage postcards started sixty or more years ago when, as a child, I would be taken to visit my mother's Uncle Fowler. Whilst the grown-ups talked, I would look through the album of old picture postcards he had. When he died, the album came to my mother, who - knowing my interest … Continue reading Fowler’s Album
Walking Man With Blue Spots
Back in the days when picture postcards were all the rage and the demand for colour photographs outstripped the technological ability to be able to deliver them, monochrome photographs were hand coloured. Most were done with skill and care, but occasionally short cuts were taken. It was nearly going-home time and the weekend was just … Continue reading Walking Man With Blue Spots
Memories Of Cliff House, San Francisco
I found this postcard amongst a job lot I bought on eBay, all of which were supposed to be of West Yorkshire. I am not complaining, however, the beauty of job lots is the surprises they throw up and the serendipity that brings them to your door. The building which is featured on this old … Continue reading Memories Of Cliff House, San Francisco
Walking Confidently Through The Twenties
Often, with an old image, it doesn't matter that you don't know the who, or the where or even the when. There is something about the image itself: a pleasure in simply looking at it - the shapes, the movement, the balance. This is one such photograph It occupies the front of a picture postcard, … Continue reading Walking Confidently Through The Twenties
Gone To Mablethorpe, Back Soon?
That's it! I've had enough of the grey skies and drizzle-caked streets of West Yorkshire for a while. It's time for a break: time for the sun, time for the sea, time for something different. So if nothing emerges from my various blogs and social media streams over the next couple of weeks, worry not. … Continue reading Gone To Mablethorpe, Back Soon?
alanburnett.com 