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GWR postcards

GWR postcards series 10-12

Series 10

This short series of eight cards which were published in 1922 took the form of sepia etchings, all being signed by the artist Joseph Pike. This series was sold as a set in an envelope for threepence. The address side bore the company device of twin shields, each with its own latin motto beneath, surmounted by Series 10. Whilst the back was printed in brown, down the left hand side Published by Great Western Railway was printed in black.

In his time Joseph Pike was a prolific and acclaimed artist and illustrator, particularly of architecture, street scenes in historic towns such as Chester, as well as a great number of British landmarks. His illustrations were commissioned by authors, architects and publishers, reproduced in books and on postcards, sold as prints and exhibited at the Royal Academy.

Series 11

Series 11 postcard back

Believed to have been published in 1924, this series of 24 gravure cards comprised twelve views from Devon and twelve from Cornwall. They actually formed part of two albums, Glorious Devon and The Cornish Riviera, each containing twelve views with a detachable copy in postcard form. The cards were perforated along their top edge so they could be removed from the album which was designed with an oval window through which the top postcard could be seen. This portion of the album was also perforated so that when all the cards had been removed it too could be detached. The GWR advertised these as 'Counterfoil Postcard Albums' and they cost 1/- (one shilling) each. The address side of the postcards carried the twin shields of the company at the top centre above the dividing line and Series No. 11 at the bottom left. Along the left side was printed the two lines Published by the Great Western Railway, PaddingtonStation, London, W.2 and Felix J. C. Pole, General Manager, whilst the back of the album pictures was left plain.

A number of jigsaw puzzles were sold with a special offer cardClick or tap to see this card inside. All one had to do was send the card off to the Stationery Superintendent's Office in London indicating which of the two albums was required. It is not known how long this offer was available, or how many jigsaws were involved, although the card is known to have been found in at least two ('Caerphilly Castle' and 'King George V').

'Glorious Devon' album

We are fortunate in having an almost complete album in our collection. As may be appreciated, it has suffered over time with the tear off portions and the cover becoming detached and suffering from paper loss. All the postcards are included and all remain attached to their accompanying picture although the top one has become a bit grubby. We have numbered the cards in the sequence in which they appear in the album, rather than following the numbering quoted in some reference books. It is possible that the sequence of cards as assembled may not have followed any particular order and so could have varied between batches for example.

'The Cornish Riviera' album

As with the other album in this series, we are fortunate in having an almost complete example in our collection. It too has suffered over time with the tear off portions of the cover becoming detached and suffering from paper loss. All the postcards are included and, with the exception of Kynance Cove, all remain attached to their accompanying picture. Once again, we have numbered the cards in the sequence in which they appear in the album, rather than following the numbering quoted in some reference books. It is possible that the sequence of cards as assembled may not have followed any particular order and so could have varied between batches for example.

We have seen, but do not have an example in our collection, a card in this series with the title Polrunn from Fowey Harbour. The image is identical to that on card 15, Fowey Harbour and Polruan seen below. This incorrect spelling and description could have been an error when first published which was later corrected.

Series 12

This series of eighteen cards was published in 1924 to coincide with the publication of the large book Cathedrals, and all the images used on these postcards are shared with the book. The address side was similar to that of Series 11 bearing the twin shields of the company at the top centre above the dividing line and Series No. 12 at the bottom left. Along the left side was again printed the two lines Published by the Great Western Railway, Paddington Station, London, W.2 and Felix J. C. Pole, General Manager. Additionally, a brief history and description of the cathedral illustrated was printed at the top of the correspondence panel, with the wording sometimes referencing the featured image. Some of these cards were later over-printed with an advertisement for the 'Cathedrals Series' books.

~~ Click or tap on any card back thumbnail to see a magnified version ~~

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