A Floral Memory: Receiving "Flower Mentions" from Harry

This postcard is a gorgeous piece of sentimental art, showcasing a lavish bouquet of roses and carnations in rich, saturated colours. It's titled simply by the artist's signature "Suzy 379," yet the simple message on the back tells a story of affection and anticipation.

Suzy 379, Floral Display

The Image: Suzy 379

The front of the postcard is a high-quality reproduction of a floral painting or possibly a hand-coloured photograph, giving it a rich, almost velvet-like texture:

• The Flowers: The bouquet features a mix of deep crimson, magenta, white, and pink roses and ruffled carnations, accented by sprays of delicate blue forget-me-nots and baby's breath.

• The Style: The flowers are arranged diagonally across a dark, textured background, drawing the eye across the composition. The style is romantic and decorative, designed to convey a feeling of deep affection, perfect for sending to a loved one.

• The Artist: Postcards signed by "Suzy" are a known feature of early 20th-century collections, though the full identity of the artist remains a popular postcard mystery.

The Message: "Received letter today Friday"

The back of the card, an undivided back (typical of the earlier postcard era or specific publishers), contains a brief, sweet message sent from Harry to Queenie:

"To Queenie received letter today friday with flower Menties so much Will write later with love from Harry x x x x"

Key Takeaways from the Message:

• The Names: The intimate names, Queenie and Harry, suggest a close relationship, likely a courtship or marriage.

• The "Flower Menties": This is the most charming and intriguing detail. "Flower Menties" (mentions) could mean that Harry's letter described flowers he had seen, or perhaps referenced the flowers shown on this card, confirming the card was sent as a direct response to Queenie's letter. It speaks to a shared appreciation of beauty and nature between them.

• The Time: The style of the card and the undivided back suggest a date in the early 1900s (pre-1907 for the UK, but the style persisted), placing this correspondence in the Golden Age of Postcards.

This postcard is a beautiful connection to a time when brief written notes, adorned with rich imagery, were a standard way to share affection and maintain correspondence, showing us the enduring charm of simple, heartfelt greetings.

Village Secrets: A Glimpse of Rural Somerset in the Edwardian Era

This postcard, titled "Village Gossips," captures a moment of everyday life in a way that modern media rarely does. It’s an evocative illustration of two women meeting on a country lane to exchange news and, perhaps, a few secrets.

Village Gossips

The Image: Village Gossips

The front of the postcard is a colour illustration—a popular style in the early 20th century—that immediately establishes a strong rural setting:

• The Scene: Two women are meeting near a wooden gate and a dry stone wall, in front of a modest brick cottage. The setting, complete with a dirt road, suggests a quiet English village.

• The Subjects: The woman in the foreground is dressed in dark, traditional working clothes and a white headscarf, suggesting she is out running errands or returning home. The woman leaning against the wall is dressed in lighter, more contemporary attire for the era (around 1900-1910). The title confirms their activity: a simple meeting for a friendly chat.

• The Publisher: The card is a "TUCK'S POST CARD," published by Raphael Tuck & Sons, a hugely famous and prolific company known for their high-quality artistic postcards.

The Message: Safe Return to Winscombe

The postcard was sent to Miss Pond at the Pink House in Clapstable, Winscombe, Somerset.

Though the handwriting is ornate and challenging to read in places, the message appears to be a friendly update, possibly from someone who has recently travelled:

"Dear Miss Pond. I have arrived safe and well and Sannie returned safely back and is quite pleased. I intend [to] [come] back [here] [next] [week] [and] [get] [a] few things. Hope you are enjoying the journey. Love, T.B."

Key Takeaways from the Message:

• Location: The destination, Winscombe, Somerset, suggests the image is meant to represent general English village life, perhaps mirroring the recipient’s own locale.

• The Date: The stamp and postmark are difficult to read precisely, but the undivided back (where the message and address are mixed on one side, separated only by a vertical line, common in the UK from 1902 onwards) and the King Edward VII one-penny stamp confirm an early 20th-century date, likely between 1902 and 1910.

• The Name "Sannie": The mention of "Sannie" returning safely is a sweet detail. "Sannie" may refer to a relative, a child, or even a beloved pet who completed a journey.

This postcard perfectly blends art, social history (the tradition of village gossip), and personal connection, all thanks to the enduring quality of a Tuck's Post Card.