History of UK Postcards

History of UK Postcards

The history of postcards in the UK is rich and fascinating, evolving from a simple utilitarian form of communication to a widely collected and artistically appreciated medium. Here's a chronological overview:

Origins and Early Forms (1840s–1860s)

1840s: With the introduction of the Penny Post and the Penny Black stamp (world’s first adhesive postage stamp), communication became cheaper and more accessible in the UK.

Precursor to postcards: People began sending "stationery cards" - essentially blank cards with prepaid postage.

Official Introduction (1870)

1870: The first official postal card was issued by the British Post Office. It was plain, with a space for the address only on one side, and a message on the other.

These cards were strictly functional, no images, just text and were known as "Post Office cards".

Pictorial Postcards Emerge (1894)

1894: The British Post Office allowed the production and use of privately printed pictorial postcards.

This led to an explosion in popularity, with cards depicting tourist attractions, seaside resorts, humorous scenes, and royal occasions.

Seaside towns like Blackpool, Brighton, and Scarborough became famous for their colourful, sometimes cheeky postcards.

Golden Age of Postcards (1902–1918)

1902: The UK adopted the divided back postcard, with space for both the address and a message on one side, and the picture on the other.

This era is considered the "Golden Age" due to the immense popularity and variety of postcards.

Cards featured everything from art and humour to topographical views,      holidays, and social commentary.

Many cards were beautifully printed using chromolithography, and some were hand tinted.

Publishers like Raphael Tuck & Sons, Valentine’s, and Bamforth were major players.

Wartime Use and Decline (1914–1939)

During WWI, postcards were used heavily by soldiers to communicate with loved ones. Many were patriotic or sentimental.

After the war, the novelty wore off somewhat, and with the rise of telephones and other technologies, postcard use began to decline.

WWII further limited postcard production due to paper shortages.

Post-War Era and Modern Use (1945–present)

In the 1950s and 60s, postcards remained popular, especially as souvenirs from holidays and day trips.

They often featured photographic views, cheeky cartoons, and celebrity themes.

By the 1990s, email and mobile phones further reduced their everyday communication function.

Today, postcards are often collected as vintage items, and they retain a place in tourism, art, and ephemera collecting.