Ethnographic Postcards in Scotland

1

Early History

From 1870s

2

Postcard Use

Messages on Postcards

Postcard Portraits

3

Postcard Publishers

George Stewart

Valentine & Sons

Others

4

Views of Scotland

Wells and Fountains

The Scottish Highlands

Edinburgh

5

Scottish
Life and Character

Raphael Tuck

Other talks:    Ethnographic Photography in Scotland

Other talks:    History of Photography

 

Edinburgh University, School of Literature, Language and Cultures, Celtic and Scottish Studies

2nd Year Lecture:  February 23, 2010  -  Ethnographic Postcards

 

Ethnographic Postcards  -  Page 2

 

Ethnographic Postcards in Scotland

Postcard Use

 

Messages

written on

Postcards

  • Postcards played an important part in peoples' lives in the early 20th century, quite apart from the pleasure they gained from collecting them and exchanging them.

  • In some places there might have been up to perhaps a dozen collections a day from post boxes, and perhaps six deliveries a day to houses, beginning early in the morning.  So  it was possible to send a message about events the next day, or later the same day, with confidence that it would arrive in time.

  • Here are some examples of messages written on postcards.  The first card was posted from Coldingham in SE Scotland in 1921.

Most of the others were posted 1903-05, many from in or around Edinburgh.  These are the topics.

  • 1.  A Religious Message

  • 2.  Not so Religious

  • 3.  Postcard Collecting - 1

  • 4.  Postcard Collecting - 2

  • 5.  Postcard Collecting - 3

  • 6.  In  the Crowd

  • 7.  University and Shopping

  • 8.  An Accident

  • 9.  Motoring and the Weather

  • 10.  Not trusting the Post

  • 11.  Trusting the Post

  • 12.  Short Message - 1

  • 13.  Short Message - 2

  • 14.  Short Message - 3

  • 15.  Chess Move

  • 16.  Coded Message - 1

  • 17.  Coded Message - 2

  • 18.  Coded Message - 3

  • 19.  Coded Message - 4

1.

A Religious Message

Messages on Postcards - 1

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                         Posted:  Coldingham, Berwickshire: Dec 4, 1921

MESSAGE

"Beloved Bro & Sister in Him, our Life and Blessed Hope.

Just read a glowing epistle from our dearly loved Sister, Miss Young, and she says Bro Murdie is so bright.  Hallelujah!   ... "

ADDRESS

Bro Murdie

"The Light of the World"

MATT 5-14

The Manse

North Sunderland

Northumberland

2.

Not So Religious

Messages on Postcards - 2

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                                 Posted:  Edinburgh:  Sep 22, 1903

MESSAGE

"Will has been here many a time."

"It's quite true I have whiles frequented the kirk."

"I ken the mannie fine guid - forgie me for leein'."

3.

Postcard Collecting

Here is the first of three cards showing
postcard collectors'  responses to the postcards that they found.

Messages on Postcards - 3

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                                Posted:  Edinburgh:  April 29, 1903

MESSAGE

"Hope this will please you. I am sure you could not wish for anything more beautiful."

4.

Postcard Collecting

Here is the second of three cards showing
postcard collectors'  responses to the postcards that they found.

Messages on Postcards - 4

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                          Posted:  Durham:  September 14, 1903

MESSAGE

"This is an ideal PC.  Don't you think so?"

5.

Postcard Collecting

Here is the third of three cards showing
postcard collectors'  responses to the postcards that they found.

Messages on Postcards - 5

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                              Posted:  Edinburgh:  March 1, 1903

MESSAGE

"These are the most awful black looking things but I suppose your collection will admit it."

6.

In the Crowd

This postcard was posted just 12 days after the photograph
of the Royal Review was taken in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh

Messages on Postcards - 6

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                       Posted:  Edinburgh: September 30, 1905

MESSAGE

"Dear Sister  -  Do you think you would be able to find Maggie and myself here?  Let me know if you can."

7.

University and Shopping

Messages on Postcards - 7

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                                      Posted:  Paisley:  July 8, 1904

MESSAGE

ON THE FRONT OF THE CARD: 

"How would George like to go to this school?"

ON THE BACK OF THE CARD: 

"I forgot to tell you in my letter to write and say how many yds of cloth you want and what colour.  I think you should try navy blue.  Annie has got a nice blue out of the Co-op. ..."

8.

An Accident

The writer certainly made good use of the available space on the front of this card.

Messages on Postcards - 8

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                         Posted:  Portobello:  February 20, 1903

MESSAGE

"I am still in bed but am mending as well as can be expected.  I have had a very narrow escape, or rather a Devine deliverance from a tragic death.

I got well kicked by the horse on the left leg and the lorry wheel took out a piece of the calf on the right leg and laid bare the bone.

God stopped the wheel suddenly.  I dare not use the right leg and am kept in bed.  Love to you and the girls."

9.

Motoring and the Weather

A message from the early days of motoring  -  winter, near Edinburgh

Messages on Postcards - 9

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                        Posted:  Portobello:  February 20, 1903

MESSAGE

"Dear Mrs C  -  We, Pa and I, have been out a motor ride today.  We went nearly to Mid Calder.  It was dreadfully cold but we enjoyed it.

Pa is buying a new one tomorrow and we're testing it.  It's frightfully cold here today."

10.

Not Trusting the Post

A postcard in Valentine's Moonlight Series
The title, almost hidden in the sky is 'Princes Street, Edinburgh'

Postcard by Valentine  -   Princes Street and the North British Hotel  -  Moonlight series  -  Posted 1904

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                        Posted:  Glasgow:  September 15, 1903

MESSAGE

"Dear Blanche  -  I wrote you a letter of ten pages and posted it the same day as we arrived.  I am sorry that you did not get it as I took great pains to write the events of every day from leaving London to Glasgow."

11.

Trusting the Post

This postcard was postmarked 8pm.  Delivery the same day was anticipated.

Can anybody help me to interpret the message on the front of this card?

Messages on Postcards - 11

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                    Posted:  Edinburgh:  May 12, 1904.  Posted at 8pm.

MESSAGE

"Miss Johnston will not be in Edinburgh tonight.  You will hear from her later."

12.

Short Message  -  1

Messages on Postcards - 12

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                        Posted:  Edinburgh:  February 19, 1903.

MESSAGE

"Ye ken wha frae."

13.

Short Message  -  2

Messages on Postcards - 13

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                       Posted:  Edinburgh:  September 1903

MESSAGE

"From one you don't know."

14.

Short Message  -  3

The shortest message yet!

Messages on Postcards - 14

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                            Posted:  Broughty Ferry:  May 4, 1905

MESSAGE

"Nothing"

15.

Chess Move

The back of the postcard begins with a chess move  -  'King's Knight to King 2'

I've included both sides of this card because I found it to be interesting.

Messages on Postcards - 15

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                          Posted:  Edinburgh:  July 14, 1905

Messages on Postcards - 15

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                          Posted:  Edinburgh:  July 14, 1905

MESSAGE

"K Kt to K2"

"Ferry boat at Granton.  Horses being loaded up for manoeuvres.  Went to Tantallon Castle yesterday."

 16.

Coded Message  -  1

Message written backwards.
This message can be read by looking at it through a mirror.

Messages on Postcards - 16

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                          Posted:  Edinburgh:  March 12,1903

MESSAGE

"Dear Bertha  -  Is this new calligraphy as sublime and beautiful as the picture?  Thanking you in anticipation.  "Me". "

17.

Coded Message  -  2

This is a Rosicrucian Code.  I found the key in a book of codes for children

Messages on Postcards - 17

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                       Posted:  Edinburgh, November 5, 1904

MESSAGE

"Liz.  If you are not going anywhere this afternoon and care to come out I could see you at say two 20 Walmer Road end of your street only if you feel like it.

Tom.  WP of course."

 

 

Update

Thank you to Elna Hietikko, Finland, "a fan of codes", for providing the correction and missing words  which I've now added (in red) to the message above.                                                               -  Peter Stubbs, 22 January 2017

18

Coded Message  -  3

The code on this card looks superficially similar to that on the card above.

But I've not been able to translate it.  Can anybody help?  ***

This card was posted from Portsmouth, but the view is of Edinburgh.

Messages on Postcards - 18

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                          Posted:  Portsmouth:  March 31, 1911

Messages on Postcards - 18

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                        Posted:  Portsmouth:  March 31, 1911

MESSAGE

***  Thank you to John Hadden who wrote:

"The text (complete with spelling mistake) is:

Dear May

Just a line in answer to your letter & card recieved today. I'm sorry I can't come up for the weekend bt will write later.

Love from Jim

It is a slightly modified Pigpen cipher."

John Hadden, Edinburgh:  February 19, 2010

19.

Coded Message  -  4

Message in Shorthand'

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                      Posted:  Edinburgh,  October 23, 1903

©  Please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk                                                                      Posted:  Edinburgh,  October 23, 1903

MESSAGE

"Dear Maggie,  Be sure and remember Saturday night 6.45 WP or not.   With best love  RRS"

 

Further Details

1.

Ray Rob

New Zealand

Postcard No. 15 above was posted on July 14, 1905.

Thank you to Ray Rob for telling me about the person that this postcard was sent to.

Ray wrote:

Miss Robinson

Messages on Postcards - 15 ©

Messages on Postcards - 15 ©

"This postcard was addressed to

Miss Robinson

20 French Gate

Doncaster.

According to the 1891 and 1901 censuses, she seems to have been Miss Constance T Robinson.  In 1901, she was a 15-year-old school teacher."

Ray Rob, New Zealand:  January 29, 2011

 

Further Details

2.

Ray Rob

New Zealand

Postcard No. 14 above was posted on May 4, 1903.

Thank you to Ray Rob for telling me about the person that this postcard was sent to.

Ray wrote:

Miss Morris

   Messages on Postcards - 14 ©

"This postcard was addressed to

Miss Morris

47 E High Street

Forfar

The 1901 Scotland Census records that Euphemia D. Morris was born about 1886 at St. Fort , Fifeshire.

At the time of the census , she was a 15 year-old Pupil Teacher,  living with her adoptive parents at 47 E High Street , Forfar.

Ray Rob, New Zealand:  January 31, 2011

 

Further Details

3.

Ray Rob

New Zealand

In the message that I added below Postcard 17 above, I referred to 'Walker Road'.

Ray wrote:

Coded Message - 2

    Messages on Postcards - 17 ©

" I wonder if the street name in the message should read Walmer Road, rather than Walker Road."

Ray Rob, New Zealand:  February 5, 2011

Walmer Road

Ray is correct.  I've updated the message on this page to show the correct street name.

I was amused to see that the bit I got wrong was one of the two small parts of the message that was not written in code!

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  February 5, 2011

 

Please also see comments below Postcard 17 above.

 

_________________________________

 

Postcard Portraits

  • As well as 'picture view' postcards, there were also 'portrait' postcards, mainly in the early- to mid-20th century.

  • These photos produced in photographic studios and printed on photographic paper marked, 'Post Card' on the back.  These tended to be inexpensive, and were targeted at the mass market clients by companies such as Jerome's in Edinburgh.

Jerome Studio  -  Leith Street, Edinburgh: 1934 to 1970

Jerome's Studio, 79 Leith Street, Edinburgh

  • A visit to a Jerome studio would not normally have taken many minutes, and the postcard portraits would have been available for collection soon afterwards.  In my experience, very few of these postcards appear to have been sent through the post.

Jerome Postcards

Studios throughout Britain

A variety of fashions and backdrops

Jerome postcard  -  Date and place not known  -  Elephant

©  Reproduced with acknowledgement to Joyce Gallois

 

Jerome postcard  -  1930  -  Lady with Handbag

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

 

Jerome postcard  -  1927  -  Lady in Hat and Chair

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

 

Jerome postcard  -  1927  -  Lady and Chair

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

 

©  Reproduced with acknowledgement to Joyce Gallois

Jerome postcard  -  1931  -  Child on a Chair

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

Claude Low

Postcards

Postcard 1

Postcard portrait with a studio car and backdrop by Claude Low

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

Postcard 2

Postcard portrait with a studio car and backdrop by Claude Low

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

Postcard 3

Post Card Portraits  -  Claude Low - Post Card 2

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

 

________________________________

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End of Page 2

 

Ethnographic Postcards in Scotland

1

Early History

From 1870s

2

Postcard Use

Messages on Postcards

Postcard Portraits

3

Postcard Publishers

George Stewart

Valentine & Sons

Others

4

Views of Scotland

Wells and Fountains

The Scottish Highlands

Edinburgh

5

Scottish
Life and Character

Raphael Tuck

Other talks:    Ethnographic Photography in Scotland

Other talks:    History of Photography

 

 

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