Featured Gem 16
Real Photo Postcard

‘Seeing Stars’

Date: 1909
People: Unidentified
Studio: Unspecified
Postcard Back: Blank

Notes: I recently purchased a series of twenty odd postcards that had unfortunately already been removed from an old album. Apparently there was a message on the front of the album that read: “To The Mayoress with H Jenkins compliments. 1909 A souvenir of the Childrens Fancy Dress Ball”

Gem Prints: High quality reprints of images featured will soon be available for purchase. If you’ve enquired about previous images, and are patiently waiting for me to get back to you, I will be in touch when I have worked out the finer details!

Featured Gem 15
Real Photo Postcard
‘Xmas 1913’

Date: 1913
People pictured: Jessie
Postcard Back: Addressed to ‘Miss Anderson From Jessie’. Wishing you a very happy Xmas.

Notes: An unusual Christmas portrait. I really like the composition, the curtains and the collection of potted plants! The chair back could almost be mistaken for fairy/angel wings! The card was purchased from a seller in the UK. I am not sure of its origin.

I love and collect samples of handwriting. The writing on this card is gorgeous. Just look at the word ‘Wishing’. We just don’t write like that anymore!

Featured Gem 14
Real Photo Postcard
‘Non Stop Run From Yarmouth’

Date: Unspecified
People pictured: Unidentified
Postcard Back: blank

Notes: I am loving these prop photos at the moment. Some of the painted prop sets are wonderfully detailed. They’re in the same vein as the paper moon images I have been collecting.

I purchased the image from the UK so I am presuming it is referring to ‘Yarmouth’ in the UK. Is it possible it was taken at a photo booth/studio at the Yarmouth Carnival? I’ll keep digging for info!

Featured Gem 13
Real Photo Postcard

‘Flora’

Date: Unspecified
People: Flora
Studio: Connard – Artist and Photographer – 181 Oldham Road, Arnton-U-Lyne
Postcard Back: Blank. Front signed ‘Sincerely Yours Flora’

Notes: How brilliant is Flora!? A fairy princess? A fairy godmother? Perfectly posed to grant your wishes. Her costume is fabulous right down to the wonderful butterfly detail on her dress. The backdrop is perfect adding that ‘enchanted wood’ fairytale feel.

Featured Gem 12
Real Photo Postcard
‘Minties’

Date: Unspecified (after 1922)
People pictured: Unidentified
Postcard Back: blank

Notes: Isn’t this fantastic? Six girls dressed up as Sweetacres Minties! When it comes to lollies, Minties (now called ‘Allens Minties’ and manufactured by Nestle) are a bit of an Australian classic. What with the party game ‘Mintie hunt’ (as opposed to peanut hunt) and the ‘who can make the longest Mintie wrapper’ challenge….Minties were well established as a part of our childhood.

Minties were invented in 1922 by James Stedman (his company also invented Jaffas and Fantales!)