Postcards

The very first postcards were issued in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in October 1869, and were soon followed by a number of other countries, including the UK where postcards were introduced on 1st October 1870.

But for more than twenty years after their first appearance, they were only for brief written or printed messages. It was only when picture postcards were permitted in the 1890s that they became really popular. Within a very short time, millions were being sent and collecting them became one of the most popular hobbies of the day.

With so many possible subjects, how on earth does anyone collect postcards now? The answer is, as always, to collect whatever interests you. Do you like coloured cards, or black and white, or sepia? Do you like pictures of landscapes, buildings, people, cars, trains, entertainment or war, original artwork or photograph? I think you're getting the picture!

Many people collect views of their town and countryside. Southport, being a tourist resort, is a particularly good area to collect, as there are many different views and subjects. The card shown above ticks several boxes! It is original art, colour, and features the Corporation Trams.

Of course, scenes of life in days gone by are always popular. The beach off Southport has long been renowned for its shrimps and, indeed, these are still collected. But there used to be cockle gatherers too. The card shown above evokes the simplicity of life as it would have been before the industrial revolution.

But Southport developed as a result of hundreds, and thousands, of people seeking refuge from the industrial revolution. They came for fun and entertainment, with a slightly refeened air! So there developed a town with a dual personality. On the one hand there was the elegant shopping area of Lord Street, with theatres and the Opera House (shown) while on the other hand there was the beach, the boating lake...

...and the country's second longest pier (and incidentally, Southport is the ONLY town in the country with a pier to have been completely (re)built in the 21st century, with a brand-new, full size tram!!)

Wasn't that fun! We haven't yet worked out how we can deliver an icecream over the internet, but we would if we could....

....and if you have enjoyed a brief look at postcards, why not visit our Links page, to explore a little bit more about our wonderful collecting world? Click on the card, and wait for collection...