Old Leeds Postcards

The history of Leeds explored through early postcards (and occasionally CDV, Cabinet Cards, Lantern Slides, Photos etc)

Items from my personal collection.

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Crowning of May Queen & King, Stanningley Carnival, May 27th 1905 by The Phototype Company of Ventnor Street, Leeds.

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

(The Potts clock on the boathouse would be installed in 1904 so that could give a clue to the date perhaps being 1903 or 1904 which fits with the production style of the card being a 'real photographic' card which were popular from around 1903)

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Undated view of Roundhay Park Boathouse. Early 1900s I think. Unposted but there is an inscription on the back "What price the cyclists?"

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

@MoylesKevin I imagine so. There were quite a few fatal accidents involving the boats - especially when people could take them into the part of the lake with deep water.

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Here is the itinerary of Illuminated Car, 1911 from the Official Programme of the festivities

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Leeds Illuminated Tramcar, Coronation of George V. June 22nd 1911. Posted June 21st 1911 to Camberwell, London with brief message: "..Our Show. C.A.."

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

@CuratorKitty @LeedsMuseums @LeedsTours @leedslibraries @LeedsCivicTrust @LCVSLeeds @thoresbysoc Could it be the Royal Visit to Temple Newsam in 1894?

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

The Kings visit to East Leeds Military Hospital September 28th 1915. Unposted local production by unknown publisher. Now @thackraymuseum . @ChrisNickson2 has just done a very interesting YouTube video about the hospital when it was previously a workhouse https://t.co/LqnVnjfge1

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Sachet Post Card by W. Berry and Co of Bradford showing Seven Arches at Adel. Although this is sealed I have another open one and the contents were seeds (which have turned to dust over time due to rattling around inside) Message says "doesn't this smell?" but it doesn't any more

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Nice to have a splash of colour in the albums! (Most of my collection are black and white or sepia.) Multiview by W. T. Gaines of Leeds (and later Leeds/London.) Twin brothers Walter and Tom Gaines were born in 1870 and lived on Burley Road producing postcards c.1903-1913.

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

@rp6805 When this story was in the paper I did some research and found references to it in 1930s newspaper archives but could be older than that.

[Pat Bourne (he/ him) @CuratorPat]

@Old_Leeds That's Walton & Co which later became Totty the Drapers, move to Kirkstall and stayed there till the 70s on Commercial Road, still fondly remembered by older residents. By way of huge coincidence- we've just been out and about in Kirkstall talking about them. @inkylinkyleeds

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

@EstibalizTerron Here are three more. Looking at how they are produced I would say they date to 1910s or 1920s.

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Victoria Hall, Leeds City Hall (the organ in the Town Hall) by The Phototype Co,. Ventnor Street, Leeds. Posted in what looks like 1906 (the postmark is quite poorly struck) brief message only ("glad to hear all well at home. give our love to all. A. C.")

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Queen's Arcade, Leeds published around 1905 by local publisher The Phototype Company of Ventnor Street, Leeds. The shop on the left has a rack of the typical printed postcards of the era. This is a glossy bromide/'real photo' type PC that became very popular around this time.

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Here is the correspondence side. See alt-text for my best attempt at transcription.

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

A tale as old as photography.. ��You line up the perfect shot and as you press the shutter a carriage comes past, people cross the road, the person nearest the camera gets distracted etc.. By The Phototype Company of Ventnor Street, Leeds c.1906. See second message for other side

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Where to get old/collectable postcards from? You can go on eBay etc (quick to find but can be dear) The best variety and prices are usually at local postcard fairs such as the one next month in Fairburn (https://t.co/ciGNAY3syk) I also buy and sell but only Leeds (DM open)

[Old Leeds Postcards @Old_Leeds]

Souvenir of St Pauls Church, Leeds published around the time it was demolished in 1906. Produced by The Phototype Company of Ventnor Street, Leeds.