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Anglo-Japanese Naval Accord: Two Handy Men (1)
In 1902 Great Britain and Japan formalized a naval alliance that had been maturing for nearly a decade. Japan’s navy had been modeled on Great Britain’s right down to its uniforms and signaling systems. In 1910 a massive public exhibition known as the “Japan-British Exhibition” was staged in London to mark the success of the alliance.
Portrait of two boys, a toy canon, and the Union Jack flag
Image 4389
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Anglo-Japanese Naval Accord: Two Handy Men (2)
“Dear Mabel I hope you will like this postcard I am sending you and hope that when you get a man that he will be a handy man SA from a friend”
Personal letter to Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Image 4390
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Camaraderie: Jolly Fine Company (1)
During the war images of camaraderie would become very common. That message is foreshadowed in this card depicting a policeman, a soldier, and a sailor, playing cards.
Bass Brewery postcard
Image 4698
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Camaraderie: Jolly Fine Company (2)
“Dear Annie, I was not able to get off from the work until Friday night as we are busy. If I send you a post card from Sheffield you would not get it untill Sunday so ask young Cardwell to get it for you. I hope to have such a good time. Love to all your first brother Ward.”
Personal letter to Southminster, Essex
Image 4699
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First Cards: Tübingen Stadt (1)
The earliest cards either carried no image at all, or were used as a form of commercial advertisement.
Image 6215
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Foreshadowing: "A Quiet Corner in the Park" (1)
When war came it would occasion many painful forms of separation. These cards foreshadow this by demonstrating the love and fear of separation military personnel experienced as a component of their professions. “Tommy Atkins” was an idealized figure representing common soldiers in the British Army. The name had been popularly adopted during the nineteenth century.
Image 4463
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Foreshadowing: Soldier Lover (1)
The card was printed in the German kingdom of Saxony. In the early twentieth century Germany possessed superior chemical and printing facilities and supplied many of Europe’s postcards.
Intimate portrait of a soldier and a woman
Image 4467
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Foreshadowing: Soldier Lover (2)
“Real ones some day I hope. Dear Jack. Just a card to say I am getting Better I will write you a long letter I am very thankful for the present you send to me But if I had you hold when you were doing it I don’t no what I say to you I would written Be fro But I wasn’t able good Bye I remain as ever …. XXXXXXX
Image 4468
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Interest in Royalty: Prince Wilhelm of Prussia (1)
Photograph of Prince Wilhelm of Prussia
Image 6181
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Interest in Royalty: Prince Wilhelm of Prussia (2)
Back of postcard; note the international nature of the correspondence. This was a German writing to a fellow German resident in London.
Image 6182
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Interest in Royalty: Prussian Princes (1)
Photograph of Prince Wilhelm and Prince Louis Ferdinand
Image 6179
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Loneliness and Distance: The Sailors Treasure (1)
The card recalls the importance souvenirs of home and family held for sailors who were far away from loved ones. This card was used by a woman, presumably writing to a woman friend or relative, recalling past times.
Image 5862
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Loneliness and Distance: The Sailors Treasure (2)
”Just another card to bring back the memory of days gone Bye. But What Oh; when we come back from Bombay.”
Image 5863
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Naval Arms Race: H. M. S. "Dreadnought" (2)
“Dear Charlie: I received your p.c. last night and I will get you the views you want and send them on in a day or two. I have been all round that ship that you sent a photo of. This is the Dreadnought (bow view). Write again as soon as you can. With best, love Jack.”
Personal letter to Herne Hill, London, England
Image 4648
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Naval Pride: H. M. S. Drake (1)
Photograph of the H.M.S. Drake and Rear-Admiral H. S. H. Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg
Image 4643
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Naval Pride: H. M. S. Drake (2)
“Have been today to see some of our fleet in the Thames.”
Personal letter written to Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Image 4644
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New Card Options: Franciscus Josephus (1)
The addition of graphic and photographic images to cards at the Paris Exposition in 1889, and legalization of the private manufacture of cards for the mails in the 1890s, led to an explosion of themes shown on the cards. By the eve of the Great War, cards were being produced and exchanged domestically and internationally that conveyed everything from religious, patriotic, or holiday messages, to cartoon art, to pictures of exotic locales and people, to pornography.
Franciscus Josephus portrait, Prague, 1908
Image 6221
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New Card Options: Scenic Scotsman (1)
Scenic portrait of a Scotsman with a personal letter
Image 4310
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New Card Options: Scenic Scotsman (2)
Back of letter written to Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
Image 4311
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New Interests: Coronation Souvenir (1)
Educational Reforms had created a new mass literacy while political reforms across Western Europe had empowered many people with the voting franchise for the first time. These developments coupled with new spirits of nationalism and patriotism were often reflected in turn-of-the-century postcards.
King George V coronation souvenir.
Image 4316
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New Interests: Coronation Souvenir (2)
This card demonstrates a father’s efforts to capture various aspects of the coronation of King George V in 1911 for his daughter. Note the sense of personal connection with the royal family that is assumed in the message. It reads:
“My dear wee one: The coronation is over a great success it would have been fearful in this heat. I am resting in one of England’s beauty spots while the poor King & Queen are still working hard in Wales. Fortunately after this month they will send the children back to school. We have a very wise King & Queen.”
Personal letter written to London, Ontario, Canada
Image 4317
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New Interests: Funeral of King Edward VII (1)
"Monarchs in Procession;" The funeral procession of King George VII; photograph of King George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the Duke of Connaught
Image 4302
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New Interests: Home Rule? What About It? (1)
Humorous British/Scottish cartoon; home rule
Image 4320
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Regimental Traditions: Infantry Colours (1)
The regiment in question, the 1st and 2nd Highland Light Infantry had only been formed in 1881 when reforms in the British Army saw the combining of older regiments into new forces. In this case the H.L.I was formed from the 71st and 74th foot regiments. Far from being at its end, the H.L.I would serve with distinction in both the First and Second World Wars.
Image 4577
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Regimental Traditions: Infantry Colours (2)
Personal letter to Edinburgh, Scotland
“This is almost the last of the fair auld H.L.I., Hope to see you at the station on Wednesday. Charlie”
Image 4578
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Travel: Vienna (2)
This card, sent 14 October 1913 from Vienna to Bloomington, Indiana, reads:
“Best dressed women here I ever saw. Their furs & tailored suits are peaches. Go to Budapest on Friday then to Prague, Dresden, & finally Berlin. Be sure to write me all about the (unclear) 13 Winterfeldt Str care of Frau Hermes. Am having such a grand trip. I like Vienna immensely, its buildings are so fine. Going to the famous opera Wed. night. Have been travelling thru the Tyrolean Alps – beautiful scenery & quaint costumes. Algiers was perfectly great. Stopped at Naples, Patras Greece & a little island of the coast of Dalmatia. Had two good days in Venice. The Viennese women in this pension (sic) smoke cigarettes. Lots of love, Grace.”
Image 6325
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Victorian Sensibilities: Sailor Dance (1)
Although notions of Victorian reserve and decorum are common this card demonstrates a show of raw emotion on view for all to see. From the message and image on the front to the expression of love on the back, Miss Wing’s correspondent was unabashed in letting her, but also anyone who handled the card prior to final delivery, know how he felt. A postcard had occasioned something very novel – the capacity to express emotions across distances.
Image of a sailor dancing with a woman
Image 5707
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Victorian Sensibilities: Sailor Dance (2)
Back of postcard; personal letter to Gananoque, Ontario, Canada
Image 5708
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War Foretold: Lest We Forget (1)
War memorials after 1918 would often include the phrase ‘Lest We Forget’. Ironically, as this card shows, the phrase was often being used to recall absent friends prior to the war.
Image 4350
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War Foretold: Lest We Forget (2)
“Dear Maria. Was pleased to hear you are enjoying yourself. You can bet we are doing the same. Raining awful this morning this morning (sic) Best love (illegible)."
Image 4351
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