There is something inherently soothing about the Cornish coastline, and this postcard of Polperro, Cornwall captures that "frozen in time" essence perfectly. Unlike the glossy, high-saturation photographs we often see today, this card features a reproduction of an original painting, lending it a soft, nostalgic texture that feels as warm as a summer evening in the West Country.
The Scene
The artwork, created by artist Derek Watson, depicts the iconic Polperro harbour. Watson’s style emphasizes the tight-knit architecture of the fishing village—cottages stacked almost on top of one another against the lush, green hillside. The foreground is dominated by traditional fishing boats (luggers) resting on the calm water, their masts creating a rhythmic verticality against the horizontal lines of the stone quays.
Technical Details
Subject: Polperro Harbour, Cornwall.
Artist: Derek Watson.
Publisher: Chrispdaw (Carwen House Studio, Blisland, Bodmin).
Printer: Dowrick Design & Print Ltd., St. Ives.
Estimating the Date
Pinpointing the exact year of a postcard can be a fun bit of detective work. Based on the publishing credits and the printing style, we can narrow this down:
The Printer: Dowrick Design & Print Ltd. was quite active in Cornwall from the late 1970s through the 1990s.
The Design: The clean, sans-serif typography on the reverse side is characteristic of British postcards from the mid-1980s to early 1990s.
The Publisher: Chrispdaw (based in Blisland) was a known producer of local art-based stationery and postcards during this same window.
Verdict: This card was most likely published between 1985 and 1992. It represents a period when local artists were heavily commissioned to create "souvenir art" that felt more personal than a standard photograph.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’ve walked those narrow streets yourself or simply dream of a Cornish escape, this Derek Watson piece captures the quiet dignity of a village that has survived on the whims of the sea for centuries. It’s a beautiful addition to any collection focusing on British maritime heritage.
