Edwardian Postcards of Abingdon (1894-1914)

WHS / Kingsway

The Kingsway Series of Cards were published by WH Smith and Son from 1906 onwards into the 20s/30s. I've yet to identify a dated card from Abingdon that predates 1914.

Braggs

Braggs appears to have been based out of Bridge Street in October 1912. The last metion I find of them at this address is on the 11th December 1914. The earliest mention I can find of them in 1+2 High Street is in February 27th 1914.

TVAP

I find lots of cards by TVAP when trawling eBay - so far all appear to be 40s/50s onwards. TVAP is "Thames Valley Art Productions" and an EH Simms was working there, if not running the business (see Maxwell Fraser Papers, National Library of Wales). An Edward Herbert Simms (b. 6th June 1902) appears on the 1939 Register as a "Printing Machinist" and an Edward Herbert John Simms on the birth register for 1902. It looks like he died 30th October 1990 and is burried in South Hinksey. I think it's safe to conclude from his age that no TVAP cards can be Edwardian.

Burgess and Sons

There's a series of postcards produced in collaboration between Burgess and son, and Photocrom of Tunbridge Wells. These all feature serial numbers between 53291 and 53301. 53296 is of the War Memorial which was unveiled on the 11th September 1921. This series of cards likely dates after this.

Frank Smith

Frank Smith published a series of numbered cards of Abingdon running from 500 to at least 509. Dated examples that I've collected are between 1907 and 1910.

Valentines

Valentines card serial numbers:

Attribution of cards

Many different parties could be involved in the production of a postcard. A photographer might contract with a printer, a printer might purchase photographs for use in postcards, a local printer might license and resell photographs and postcards from other publishers. Where possible I've listed all those identified as involved with a card as "publishers".

Sometimes there are minimal clues apart from the style of card or the photograph used. Some of the larger photography collections such as Frith and Taunt allow unidentified photograph to be attributed. If all I'm able to do is match the photograph against one used by an identified publisher, and I have nothing to contest this (i.e. I can only match it against one identified publisher) then I will tentatively attribute it to that publisher.