SOG-UK-L Archives

Archiver > SOG-UK > 2001-11 > 1005594580


From: Michael N Maggs <>
Subject: Re: [SoG] Dating a postcard
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 19:49:40 +0000
References: <34.1daa96d7.2920df0a@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <34.1daa96d7.2920df0a@aol.com>


We can do a bit better than that, I think.

The earliest possible date, based on the 1/2d stamp alone, would be Sept
1894, which is when the Post Office first allowed private postcards to
be used with adhesive stamps (prior to that, only Official PO cards -
with embossed stamps - could be used in the UK.

But assuming the card has a 'divided back' (allowing both the message
and address to be written on one side), it must be later than 1902.
Before 1902, the message had to be written on the same side as the
picture. Early divided back cards usually have the printed instruction:
'This space may be used for communication to any place in the United
Kingdom' (on one side of the divide) and 'The address ONLY to be written
here' on the other; or words to that effect. Once people got used to
the idea, the wording was dropped.

Different publishers dropped the wording at different times, but many
has stopped by around 1910 or so. A few were still using it in 1915.

If there is any other wording on the card, or a publisher's or
photographer's name or initials, that might help in dating it. Eg try

www.headley1.demon.co.uk/histdate/friths.htm

for the dating of Frith's cards.

Michael Maggs


In message <>, writes
>In a message dated 11/11/01 20:47:07 GMT Standard Time,
> writes:
>
>
>> The card is unused, and so I can see it has a space for a 1/2 penny
>> stamp. I'm hoping this will give me the latest date the card could have
>> been printed, tho' there's no saying when the photo could have been
>> taken.
>>
>>
>
>The 1/2 penny postcard rate was introduced in 1870 and it was increased to 1
>penny in 1921. This does give a wide window for your card's printing
>
>Regards
>
>Tam
>
>______________________________


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