Possibly the most interesting piece of textual information on old postcards is the date via the postmark. Postmarks then were usually much clearer than today’s.
The date on the postcard here is July 4th 1907 across a halfpenny stamp of King Edward VII. This is interesting in itself, as we no longer have halves in our current coinage.
An aside: The Salisbury Museum’s postcard archive can be used to document the evolution of the postcard and postage stamps. I particularly like the George V three halfpence stamp of 27th April 1922.
The rest of the textual information in rather ornate but neat handwriting is:
“Miss Hall
Langford
Hamilton Road
Local”
There is still a Hamilton Road in Salisbury but I can’t find a house called Langford. The use of “Local” on addresses was what my father always used. Was this taught in schools?
“With best wishes from Winnie and I from H E J Damen”
Now to look at the image side. The postcard shows Salisbury High Street looking towards St Thomas’s church in the background. There is a boat (lifeboat?) being pulled by four horses turning into New Canal.
The vehicle has four tyre-less substantial metal wheels.
There is some black writing on the bow of the boat but I can’t make it out except for the last word which is “Salisbury”. The men in the boat have long poles with nets on the end for gathering cash from spectators, especially from those spectators at the first floor windows.
Below : note the two little boys in sailor’s uniform with their dad (?) in an official looking uniform. What does this man have in his right hand – keys?
Below: Note one of the shop signs on the right of the scene
The shop to the left of Binghams displays the words “Boots Cash Chemist”. You can look up on the web what a “cash” chemist is!
There are three street gas lamps of at least two different designs.
The image would make a good jigsaw puzzle and enable you to explore it in detail. As it stands, my comments on items appear to make this blog like a “where’s Wally” puzzle! There is a lot more you can explore in the image, especially if you have a Kelly’s directory or census transcripts.
Maybe you can even find out what the occasion was and why a boat would be being pulled through the streets of Salisbury. What was the money being collected for?
Glorious snippets from History. Thanks so much for sharing Alan. We”ll have a go next week at answering some of the questions raised.
The Salisbury Museum Volunteer Blog 