Postcards Then and Now

Old postcards from the early 20th century, compared to the same view shown on Google Street View today. The postcards come from my own collection. Almost all of them are from England, mainly showing West London, Middlesex, Surrey, Berks and Bucks. Click on the postcards to see enlarged versions. Street View images are the copyright of Google. Comments, questions or requests are welcome. If you repost my images on other websites (such as Facebook) please include a link to my original post.

Monday, 18 November 2013

Ruislip, Middlesex, The High Street c1913

Ruislip, Middlesex, The High Street circa 1913. Ruislip is much more built-up now, but the buildings on the left are the same. This postcard was produced by W. H. Applebee of Ashford for Harry Hailey who ran the sub-post office in Ruislip village. Click the postcard to enlarge.

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Friday, 8 November 2013

Brighton, Sussex, Palace Pier 1903

Brighton, Sussex, Palace Pier 1903. These two old postcards by John Walker in their 'Bells Series' postcards show Brighton Pier in 1903. I'm using that date from the poster in the second postcard that advertises a play, 'One Summer's Day', on Monday August 31st. August 31st fell on a Monday in 1903 and 1908, the style of these postcards suggests to me the earlier year. The first postcard shows a seller of Hokey Pokey - an early form of Ice Cream, known for its unhygenic methods of production. Both of these postcards were very badly faded and I've made some crude attempts to digitally enhance them. Click the postcards to enlarge.
For more old photos visit Sepia Saturday.