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The Edwardian Postcard

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Summary: The early British postcard is a fascinating multimodal communications technology. In the heyday of the postcard during the Edwardian age, (1901-1910) it offered an opportunity for rapid vernacular writing at very low cost that was not to be available again until the contemporary digital revolution. Up to six deliveries a day were being made in major cities and 6 billion cards were sent in the period. We have collected over 1,200 cards from the period to examine the creative responses of the population to this new technology. Apart from the light shed on writing practices of the Edwardians, our studies are revealing much about the travel patterns, social networks and concerns of the age. We are also investigating the mobilities of the postcard today, through collecting cards ourselves, interviewing and photographing at postcard fairs, and reviews of secondary sources. In Autumn 2009 we are using Twitter to resend some of the Edwardian messages - follow eVIIpc or search for tag #eVIIpc. For more information, visit the project website - link just below.

Card sent in Lockerbie 1902

Our Partners

Manchester Metropolitan University

Purpose of Research

Academic Research - Other

Project Funder

Friends Programme of Lancaster University - £2808.75

In April 2010 the Edwardian Postcard Project was awarded a grant by the Friends Programme Disbursement Committee.

The grant contributed to: 1) the Postcard Fair held at Lancaster University on November 13th, 2010, including promotional posters and flyers. 2) the production of a digital exhibit displayed at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery 3) the production of a small exhibit about the work of the project shown at the Fair and then in the foyer of Lancaster University Library 4) access to the censuses of 1901 and 1911 and other public records to aid the project's research.