Messages from the frontline Antique shop’s collection includes postcards from First World War soldiers
AREMARKABLE collection of 500 postcards and greeting cards, many of them dating back to Victorian times, has been handed to staff at an antiques shop.
And among the stack at Oldbury’s Home By James are real rarities, such as Great War silk cards sent from The Front, and long-lost scenes from around the Midlands.
From soldiers to Spaghetti Junction – the wonder of the modern age – each of the cards tells a story through the evocative pictures on the front.
The pile represents a collection spanning two generations.
A Rowley Regis woman began the hobby, and her daughter continued it. And it was the daughter who presented the collection to Home By James.
Shop owner James Anderson says receiving such a huge collection is highly unusual.
But it has come at the right time, with interest in postcards from the past currently high.
“I have never seen so many cards in one go,” he says. “They are fascinating and span from 1860 to 1960, although the majority are dated between 1890 and 1920.
“There are some real gems, like a soldier’s letter on silk to his family back home. There is also a lovely card from a vicar to one of his parishioners.”
Mr Anderson has already had one offer for the entire collection, but admits it will probably be sold piecemeal. A rare 1960s set of Marilyn Monroe cards has already been snapped up – and there’s equal excitement over the World War One silks.
During World War One, British soldiers missing their loved ones were drawn to these fragile and pricey gifts, which they usually sent home in envelopes with letters.
The favoured embroidered designs ranged from patriotic images of flags or regiment cap badges to romantic depictions of butterflies, birds, rainbows, or flowers like forget-me-nots.
Some of these cards had a “silk pocket” effect, which would hold a small pre-printed card.
It is believed the embroidery of these cards was done at home by civilian women in France and Belgium, and by Belgian refugees in the UK.
There are faces from the past, one showing a young woman and bearing the message: “With love from Lizzy to dear Mrs Jones. Xmas 1909”.
Some show religious scenes and one early saucy seaside card depicts a golfer searching for his ball, saying “Well, I’m b-b-b-bbunkered!”
Among many others in the collection are images of fisherwomen, society belles and vintage cars on London Bridge. Local historic scenes show Birmingham, Dudley, Stratford-uponAvon and Cotswolds villages.
And there are holiday postcards from Blackpool, Scarborough, Symonds Yat and many other destinations loved by Brummies.
For those looking to purchase a near unique slice of local history, prices are not bank-breaking.
The cheapest range from £2 to £10, and the silks can be bought for less than £30.