There is a specific kind of magic found in the saturated hues of a vintage John Hinde postcard. It’s a hyper-real version of Britain—one where the skies are always a perfect cerulean, the grass is a lush, eternal emerald, and the history feels as solid as the stone it’s built upon. This recent addition to my collection, a classic view of Dunster Castle in Somerset, is a stunning example of that mid-century aesthetic, capturing a "splendid castellated mansion" that has guarded the gateway to Exmoor for nearly a millennium.
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| Dunster Castle, Somerset |
The Visual: A John Hinde Masterpiece
The front of the postcard (Photo: D. Noble, John Hinde Studios) presents Dunster Castle as it exists in the collective English imagination. Perched atop Tor Hill, the castle rises dramatically above a dense canopy of ancient woodland. In the foreground, a golden meadow is separated by a simple wooden gate, grounding the grand architecture in the reality of the Somerset countryside.
John Hinde’s studio was famous for its rigorous production standards. To achieve these vibrant colours, photographers often used large-format transparency film, and the printing process involved intense colour separation. The result is an image that feels more like a memory of a perfect summer day than a mere photograph. It invites you to step through that gate and begin the climb toward the battlements.
The History: From Norman Motte to Victorian Splendor
Turning the postcard over reveals a concise but fascinating historical summary. It notes that the site was "built by Mohun, Earl of Somerset, c. 1070." This takes us back to the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, when William the Conqueror granted the land to William de Mohun. Originally a timber motte-and-bailey, the castle was the nerve centre of a vast feudal barony.
The postcard highlights a pivotal moment in 1376 when the castle was sold to the Luttrell family. Remarkably, the Luttrells held onto this estate for exactly 600 years, finally gifting it to the National Trust in 1976. This continuity is rare in English history and allowed the castle to evolve organically from a medieval fortress into the comfortable, "castellated mansion" we see today.
The Scars of the Civil War
The text on the reverse mentions a dramatic episode: "...it was held in 1645 by Col. Wyndham for 160 days against Blake’s Parliamentarians." During the English Civil War, Dunster was one of the last Royalist strongholds in the West Country.
The siege was gruelling. Colonel Wyndham held out against Robert Blake, a man who would later become one of England’s most famous admirals. When the castle finally surrendered in 1646, the Parliamentarians ordered the "slighting" (partial destruction) of the fortifications to prevent it from being used as a rebel base again. Most of the medieval walls were pulled down, leaving only the Great Gatehouse and a few towers standing.
The Salvin Transformation
Looking at the front of the card, the castle looks remarkably "complete" and uniform. This is thanks to the "embellishments by Salvin" mentioned on the back. In the late 19th century, George Fownes Luttrell commissioned the architect Anthony Salvin to restore the castle.
Salvin was a master of the "Tudor Gothic" style. He didn't just repair the castle; he reimagined it as the ultimate Victorian country house. He added the imposing towers and the grand staircase, creating the silhouette that has become an icon of the Somerset skyline. It is this Victorian vision of medievalism that the postcard captures so beautifully.
Why This Postcard Matters
In the digital age, where we can pull up a 4K drone video of Dunster Castle in seconds, why do we still collect these pieces of cardstock?
The Tactile Connection: Holding a card that was printed in Ireland by John Hinde (Distributors) Ltd. decades ago connects us to the history of tourism. This card was likely bought in a small shop in Dunster village, tucked into a pocket, and kept as a souvenir of a seaside holiday at nearby Minehead.
The Typography and Branding: The reverse features the distinctive "John Hinde Original" logo and the red crest of Sumorsæte Ealle (the ancient motto of Somerset, meaning "All the people of Somerset"). These design elements are a masterclass in mid-century graphic layout.
The Narrative: The short paragraph on the back serves as a "curator’s note" for the image. It transforms a pretty picture into a lesson on the Norman Conquest, the Civil War, and Victorian architectural tastes.
Visiting Dunster Today
If you were to stand in the spot where D. Noble took this photograph today, the view would be remarkably similar. The trees might be taller, and the gate might be replaced, but the castle remains a sentinel over the village of Dunster.
The village itself is one of the best-preserved medieval settlements in England, complete with a Yarn Market and a tithe barn. The castle is now managed by the National Trust, and visitors can explore the very rooms Salvin designed, walk the terraces of the Mediterranean-style gardens, and see the working watermill.
Final Thoughts
This postcard is more than just a 4x6 piece of paper; it’s a time capsule. It captures a 1,000-year-old castle through the lens of a mid-20th-century aesthetic, preserved for us to enjoy in the 21st century. It reminds us that while owners, architects, and even governments change, the stones of Dunster remain—perched on their hill, overlooking the sea and the moors.
