Postcard Collection

Salt has been a valuable commodity for thousands of years, and it is because of this that Droitwich – under which lies vast quantities of salt – has prospered, particularly since Roman times. Droitwich saw great changes in the nineteenth century, largely brought about by 'Salt King' John Corbett. During this period the town evolved from an industrial town to a spa town with two brine bath complexes and numerous hotels and guest houses. By the 1920s the salt industry had left Droitwich, leaving the town firmly established as a spa town; but this industry is now being resurrected, thanks to the new Churchfields Saltworks at Salwarpe, and Wychbold Fudge's salted fudge. Droitwich Spa: The Postcard Collection charts the town's proud and distinctive history through a fascinating selection of old postcards, photographs and prints, showing what life was like for the past residents of Droitwich and its rural district. Written by local historian Paul Jones LRPS, this book will inform and delight long-time residents and those new to the area.

Southport: The Postcard Collection takes the reader back in time to the golden age of the postcard as it illustrates a resort that was one of the most fashionable in the country during the Edwardian era. A variety of cards is included, ranging from street and beach scenes to aerial views, humorous sketches and historical illustrations. This book will help to build up a picture of the life, leisure and pleasures of a vibrant seaside town of the period. Starting with the Promenade and Pier, the author explores the beach and its entertainments, then the parks and gardens, transpot in the town, and the suburbs.

Leeds, sited in the heart of West Yorkshire, is the UK's third largest city and is home to a community rich in history, ambition and achievement. As the financial, cultural and commercial heart of West Yorkshire, Leeds is a city essential to the global economic system. Although only a small borough for much of its existence, Leeds in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries became a key centre for the production and trading of wool. As the Industrial Revolution progressed, Leeds developed into a major industrial hub, extending its reach into engineering, printing, commerce, health and education. Iron foundries were among other industries of extreme importance. The city then expanded, absorbing many of the surrounding villages and townships to become the urban city we see today. Combining cultural riches with strong transport and communication links, it continues to attract students, entrepreneurs and professionals, not only to visit, but often to relocate to this vibrant part of West Yorkshire. The authors have charted the area's great past, and the enormous changes that have taken place, through a selection of fascinating and inspiring old postcards.

Newcastle upon Tyne has long been an important city in the north-east of England. A fortress against Scotland, medieval Newcastle grew rich exporting coal, wool and other goods from its port on the River Tyne, as well as being a shipbuilding centre. New industries developed in later centuries and Newcastle's population grew, and by the eighteenth century the town walls and gates were demolished to allow further expansion and easy movement of trade into the city. At the same time the city gained its first newspaper, infirmary, bank, dispensary, assembly rooms and theatre and a new bridge was built across the Tyne. The centre of the city was rebuilt in 1825-40 and gradually amenities improved for the average inhabitant. In the 1920s and 1930s, the first council houses were built in Newcastle. The city suffered some damage during the Second World War but later decades have witnessed urban regeneration. In Newcastle upon Tyne: The Postcard Collection the author has drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in the city's rich past, from the mid-nineteenth century to the 1940s. Although some of historical Newcastle seen in these views has been lost, many landmarks have remained and will be familiar today. The postcards show the changes to Newcastle's fabric and its community adapting over the course of this period. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Newcastle or know it well.

At the turn of the twentieth century the simple postcard became the go-to means of communication for thousands of Victorians and Edwardians, sharing their greetings, their stories and their gossip. The equivalent of the modern-day 'status update', the postcards in this collection reveal the ordinary lives of the people of Yeovil, from tourists to locals. While many of the sights of the town remain the same, each postcard is a unique snapshot of a place and time. From an extensive collection of postcards spanning over 100 years, Yeovil: The Postcard Collection is the story of this Somerset market town and its people.

Lytham St Annes has always been a bit posh, the yin to its neighbour Blackpool's yang, and home to no fewer than four golf courses, including the illustrious Royal Lytham St Annes. The town actually comprises the two separate towns of Lytham and St Annes, which are joined together at Fairhaven Lake. Lytham is the older of the two, while St Annes-on-Sea (as it used to be known) was a planned town laid out by a Victorian mill owner for a better class of holidaymaker, its grid pattern of wide avenues lined with genteel late Victorian and Edwardian villas. The first decade of the twentieth century was also the period when the sending of picture postcards became almost a national obsession. Today these postcards provide us with a unique and fascinating record of the buildings, the traffic and the people of a long-vanished England. Reproduced in this book are over 160 postcards of Lytham St Annes which show the town in all its former glory.

The British West Indies cover a distinct geographical area. However, the countries within it have their own histories, sometimes overlapping, sometimes very different. British West Indies: The Postcard Collection brings together over 100 postcards showing the region's commonalities and differences. The British West Indies were an important economic source for the British Empire, supplying sugar, coffee, tobacco and cocoa. During the First and Second World Wars, many men joined up to fight for Britain, and many young citizens later emigrated to help the country recover and rebuild its economy. Today, many see the countries of the British West Indies only as wonderful holiday spots with sand, sea and sun. However, scratch the surface and one will discover a fascinating and chequered history.

The royal parks of London are lands originally owned by the monarchy of the United Kingdom for the recreation (mostly hunting) of the royal family. They are part of the hereditary possessions of the Crown. With the increasing urbanisation of London, some of these were preserved as freely accessible open spaces and became public parks with the introduction of the Crown Lands Act 1851. Today there are eight parks formally described by this name and they cover almost 2,000 hectares of land in Greater London. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park, Regent's Park and St James's Park are the largest green spaces in central London; Bushy Park, Greenwich Park and Richmond Park are in the suburbs.London's Royal Parks: The Postcard Collection takes the reader on an evocative journey into the past of these much-loved green spaces through a selection of old postcards that offer a fascinating window into their history and continuing development.

The attractive seaside town of Hythe, on the south-east coast of Kent, is one of the famous Cinque Ports. With an illustrious history of guarding this vulnerable corner of England, Hythe blossomed into a quiet seaside resort famed for its Royal Military Canal, attractive old High Street and macabre collection of skulls and bones in the parish church crypt.The beauty and charm of Hythe was captured in the many picture postcards of the town issued from the beginning of the twentieth century when postcards were the principal form of communication. Through the author's beautiful collection of postcards, we can view the changes to Hythe through the years and see some of the buildings that have been lost along the way. The town's main attractions, such as the seafront, canal, parish church, High Street and light railway, are all featured on these attractive colour postcards. Other aspects of Hythe's history, including events and disasters, were issued on rarer monochrome postcards, a selection of which are included. Hythe's eastern suburb of Seabrook and the adjoining village of Saltwood complete the postcard history of this quintessential English town.

Manchester is one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom and has a history that stretches right back to Roman times. The city began life in around AD 79 as a civilian settlement associated with the Roman fort of Mamucium, or Mancunium, based near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell. It was with the onset of the Industrial Revolution that Manchester really began to thrive and develop into the city we know and love today. Join author Eric Krieger as he examines the city's fascinating past through a selection of charming vintage postcards from his personal collection, with each image offering a unique insight into this city and its people.

Lancaster was once a small Roman outpost located on the River Lune that over the centuries expanded into one of the most important hubs in the North West. It has played host to many important events, from the Wars of the Roses to the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612. The town underwent a period of rapid expansion during the Georgian period, fuelled by the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the businesses connected with it. In the Victorian era the town developed a reputation for its manufacturing, especially connected with linoleum making and the industrialist Lord Ashton. Lancaster also became well connected with the wider area through its transport links and the railways. Lancaster: The Postcard Collection takes the reader on an evocative journey into Lancaster's past through a selection of old postcards that offer a fascinating window into the history of the city.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, has been central to Scottish life and its history over the centuries. It is the seat of the Scottish government, the Scottish parliament, the supreme courts of Scotland, many national institutions, and a major educational, medical and financial centre. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. The Old Town retains much of its medieval character and the Georgian New Town, with its regular facades and major neoclassical buildings by architects of the stature of Robert Adam, is one of the world's most extensive examples of neoclassical towns. Numerous festivals attract visitors from all over the world and its eminent scientists, engineers, philosophers and writers are internationally renowned. In this book, author Jack Gillon brings together a superbly evocative collection of old postcards of Edinburgh. The 180 featured postcards celebrate the city's achievements and distinctive character in the form of its public buildings, principal streets, and historic landmarks. Edinburgh: The Postcard Collection provides an invaluable visual record of the city's past and a fascinating insight into the world of our ancestors.

Picture postcards first began to appear in Colchester in 1902, used by people from all walks of life as a cheap and easy form of communication. Fortuitously, local photographers saw the opportunities provided by the cards and began capturing everyday local scenes, leaving us with now priceless snapshots of a bygone age. Said to be the oldest recorded town in Britain and the site of the first Roman city, Colchester has a story that is second to none. While the town has changed greatly over the past two millennia, the origins and history of Colchester are still very much part of its fabric, and the postcards contained in this book capture just a glimpse of it. Colchester: The Postcard Collection provides a fascinating insight into how this incredible town has changed over the past century. Colchester's most iconic buildings, much-loved monuments and long-lost views are all brought to life in this beautifully illustrated volume.

The 'Fair City of Perth' is aptly named. Situated on the banks of the Tay, Scotland's longest river, Perth and its surrounding area boast some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. The city's position on the River Tay ensured that it became a busy trading port, exporting salmon and wool and importing claret from Bordeaux. Its bustling harbour remains in use, the only inland harbour in Britain. Perth was once the capital of Scotland and there are many interesting historical sights to visit. The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly Scone Palace on the outskirts of town. Scone was the home of the Stone of Destiny for nearly 500 years, and the site where every Scottish king was crowned. Today, Perth is a major tourist centre and important staging post on the route north to the Highlands of Scotland. As such, it boasts many shops, bars and restaurants, as well as a thriving arts and cultural scene.In this book, author Jack Gillon takes the reader on an evocative journey into Perth's past through a superb selection of old postcards. This fascinating window into the city's history will appeal to residents and visitors alike.

Wigan grew rapidly during the nineteenth century as a major cotton mill town and centre for coal mining, aided by the construction of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which passed through the town. These industries continued well into twentieth century, although in recent decades the mills and coal mines in the area have closed and many of the old buildings have been repurposed and are now part of new commercial and leisure industries. In Wigan and Around: The Postcard Collection author Roy Pennington has drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in Wigan and the surrounding areas in the past, from the Victorian and Edwardian era onwards. Although some of the historical Wigan seen in these views has been lost, many landmarks have remained and will be familiar today. The postcards show the changes in Wigan's fabric and its community adapting over the course of this period. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Wigan or know it well.

The spa town of Bath has drawn visitors since the Roman's built baths and a temple at the site of hot springs in the Avon valley. Bath Abbey was founded in the seventh century but it was in the eighteenth century that the town became the fashion centre of England. Bath's Georgian architecture is one of its chief glories today but the city has seen many changes in the intervening years, not least the destruction caused by aerial bombardment during the Second World War. Post-war years saw new housing and commercial redevelopment in the city, museums opened, fresh industries established and the expansion of its two universities. In Bath: The Postcard Collection author Alan Spree has drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in Bath in the past. Although some of historical Bath seen in these views has been lost, many landmarks have remained and will be familiar today. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Bath or know it well.

- The latest in Amberley's 'Postcard Collection' series - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Sales potential in heritage and visitor attractions as well as bookshops - Established Amberley author

Harpenden: The Postcard Collection depicts a vibrant selection of over 170 images captured during the first half of the twentieth century by a small but dedicated group of photographers, who recorded for posterity the copious views of this picturesque village and the immediate surrounding area. Without their undisputed commitment and enthusiasm, much of the delightful pictorial history of yesteryear would have been lost forever. Memories abound as the reader is given a fascinating insight during the time that this rustic Hertfordshire village gradually developed from its early agricultural beginnings into the small, bustling commuter town that we know today. We remember long-gone features such as the Cock Pond in the High Street where cattle once drank their fill, the old blacksmith's forge and the Silver Cup Pond on the Common where generations of children paddled or sailed a toy yacht. This book will surely appeal to anyone interested in picture postcards and the nostalgic history of this charming town.

The Great War (1914-1918), later known as the First World War, brought together the major European countries and their empires into the world's greatest conflict so far seen. Over 70 million people worldwide were mobilised into military service with 10 million of these service personnel killed in action and a further 7 million civilians also killed. This total death toll made up 1 per cent of the world's population at the time. The war occurred at the heyday of the postcard as a social media. This book looks at the role of the postcard in the war, both as a propaganda tool by the authorities and also as a communication means between friends and family split apart by the war. The once valued postcards holding the image of a loved one now often only show an anonymous fighter with no details of who they were or what their outcome was, while the censored scenes of trenches and battlefields hide the true horrors of the fighting and the scenes witnessed.

Leicester has long been an important city in the East Midlands. Remains of Roman Leicester can still be seen today, as well as many buildings from the Middle Ages, not least being the resting place of Richard III at the end of the Wars of the Roses. Leicester grew rapidly during industrialisation, led by industries such as textiles, clothing, footwear and engineering. It was granted city status in 1919 after its industries had played a key role in the First World War and St Martin's Church was consecrated as the cathedral in 1927. The last 100 years have seen sweeping changes to Leicester as the city has extended and rebuilt itself. In Leicester: The Postcard Collection author Alan Spree has drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in Leicester in the past, from c. 1900 to the 1950s. Although some of the historical Leicester seen in these views has been lost, many landmarks have remained and will be familiar today. The postcards show the changes in Leicester's fabric and how its community has adapted to and changed over the course of this period. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Leicester or know it well.

The picturesque market town of Montrose, located on the windswept coast of Angus between Dundee and Aberdeen, offers all the charm of a seaside resort alongside a range of impressive buildings. Over the centuries, affluent landowners, wealthy merchants and rugged sea captains have come and gone from Montrose, and the early success of such townspeople is evident in the striking architecture. It has frequently been said that Montrose is a place of high antiquity, and that it witnessed many stirring and historic events. With such a rich history, the town has a fascinating story to tell. A good way to tell this tale is through picture postcards, which show how life once was and the changes that have taken place. During the early years of the twentieth century, the sending of postcards became almost a national obsession, and today these provide a wonderful record of the buildings, streets and people of times gone by. Montrose: The Postcard Collection captures the coastal town of Montrose, as well as neighbouring villages Ferryden and Hillside, in all their former glory through a selection of old postcards from the author's own collection, many of them in colour.

Lincoln can trace its history back to an Iron Age settlement by the River Witham, subsequently a Roman and Viking town. The Norman castle and medieval cathedral, built on a ridge, still dominate the city today, with the suburbs spread out below the hill. Medieval Lincoln was one of the wealthiest towns in the country and many buildings from this period survive today. The city experienced another boom during the Industrial Revolution and manufacturing is still an important part of the city today. In Lincoln: The Postcard Collection author Alan Spree has drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in Lincoln in the past. Although much of Lincoln has changed over the years, many landmarks have remained and will be familiar today. The postcards show the changes to Lincoln's fabric and its community adapting and changing over the course of this period. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Lincoln or know it well.

Having been granted city status during the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, Stirling is Scotland's smallest city, but has an enthralling wealth of architectural and historic heritage that would be the envy of much larger places in the country. Stirling's heritage dates from the thirteenth century, when it was granted a royal charter and became a significant medieval settlement. Its strategic importance as the 'Gateway to the Highlands' also made it the much-fought over 'Cockpit of Scotland' and it has been witness to many of the most significant battles in Scottish history. Today, Stirling is a bustling and charming historic city that retains much of its ancient character and architectural quality. Using old postcards, Stirling The Postcard Collection shows how the city has changed and evolved over the years. These postcards are an invaluable visual record of a place's past and provide a fascinating insight into the world of our ancestors. The old postcards of Stirling celebrate the town's civic achievements and distinctive character in the form of public buildings, principal streets, parks, railway stations and historic landmarks.

Barnstaple, the main town in North Devon, is quite possibly the oldest borough in the United Kingdom and is home to a community rich in history, ambition and achievement. The town still preserves its medieval layout. Its wealth was derived from its licence to export wool, which was also later imported from Ireland. After its harbour silted up, the growth of other industries such as sawmills, foundries and shipbuilding were established. Its Victorian market still survives and the railway is still in much use. In Barnstaple & Around: The Postcard Collection, authors Denise Holton and Elizabeth J. Hammett explore the town and its surrounding areas through the use of beautiful postcards.

One of the most famous and popular road circuits for tourists in the southwest of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry traverses the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula, with a great many tourist sites along the way from Killarney's lakes to Waterville's coast. A century ago, the Grand Atlantic Tour emerged as one of the essential travel itineraries by horse-drawn and motor bus tours on the island of Ireland. For the landscape lover, postcards were produced for visitors to remember their visit and to send to loved ones. These beautiful, colourful postcards showcased the region and framed the visitor's memories. The magnificent scenery, with unspoilt coasts and rugged mountains, makes the Ring of Kerry a top tourist destination. Dramatic panoramas, majestic mountain shapes, ancient sites and heritage towns are found along the winding route of the N70 through the southern tip of Kerry. The 180-km route is much travelled, especially by coach tours. Along the coast are picturesque little towns such as Sneem, Caherdaniel and Waterville. Kenmare Bay to the south, Dingle Bay in the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west surround this peninsula, which boasts 75 miles of beaches.