Old picture postcards that sum up the spirit of North East Christmas past
POSTCARDS were all the rage in the early 20th Century.
In an age before everyone had telephones, and long before social media would provide a means of instant communication, postcards were often the easiest way to keep in touch.
They were cheap and reliable, with up to seven postal deliveries a day.
People bought them to keep as souvenirs as well as to send to friends at a time when postcards enjoyed their first golden era as collectables.
Between 1900 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, hundreds of thousands of postcards were issued. It became a craze both here and abroad.
A magazine was published to cater for the new obsession, and publishers produced cards on every conceivable subject.
Millions were sent through the post, often to end up in someone’s album.
All of which is great news a century later for historians and fans of nostalgia.
Postcard collections depicting early 20th Century North East are emerging regularly.
These postcards, all with a festive theme belong to Angus Stephenson who has amassed a massive collection.
The cards include Christmas scenes from early 20th-Century Gateshead, Jesmond and Alnwick.
They really do sum up the spirit of Christmas past.
Angus will be kindly sharing more cards from his collection next year.