A beautiful survivor from the early 20th century, this substantial antique postcard album preserves a fascinating collection of postcards, greetings cards and photographs dating from the Edwardian period through to the 1930s. Bound in grey-green cloth with a striking red poppy motif and gilt lettering reading 'Post Cards', it shows the honest wear of a much-loved family keepsake while retaining its original string binding and remarkable charm.

Inside are page after page of beautifully illustrated cards, offering a glimpse into everyday celebrations, family life and the artistry of early twentieth-century paper ephemera.

Inside the album

• A large collection of postcards and greetings cards dating from the Edwardian era to the 1930s.

• Embossed floral greetings on textured, satin and silk-effect card with raised gilt lettering, ribbon ties and decorative finishes.

• Birthday greetings, including examples such as To My Dearest Daughter and Best Birthday Wishes.

• Christmas postcards featuring holly, bells and Father Christmas, including a delightful 1930s card with toys and nursery characters.

• Romantic florals, scenic views, ships, windmills and sentimental illustrations typical of the period.

• Early portrait photographs carefully preserved within the album.

• At least one postcard illustrated by Agnes Richardson, recognised for her charming whimsical artwork.

• A varied collection of printed and lightly hand-finished cards spanning several decades of British greetings card design.

Condition

The album displays honest age-related wear consistent with its age. The cloth binding has rubbing, the boards show light distortion, and some pages are loose or detached. Individual cards vary in condition, with some remaining wonderfully bright while others show light foxing, creasing or signs of handling. Overall, the collection has been remarkably well preserved and presents beautifully.

Era

Edwardian to 1930s, British.

Dimensions

Approximately 28 × 22 cm.

Why we love it

Albums such as this were assembled over many years, each new postcard or greeting marking a birthday, Christmas or special occasion. Today they offer far more than nostalgic decoration, they are miniature social histories, preserving changing fashions, illustration styles and printing techniques across several decades.

Whether you're an antique postcard collector, ephemera enthusiast, mixed media artist or simply someone who appreciates beautifully preserved paper treasures, this album offers endless inspiration and enjoyment. Not every page has been photographed, but the images provide a representative view of the album and its contents.

Explore more antique ephemera, postcards and timeworn paper treasures in our Ephemera Collection, carefully chosen for collectors, creatives and lovers of nostalgic design.