Folk Life Postcard "Irish Spinning Wheel" 1911

Postcards from Ireland.

Most of these are from the "Golden Age" 1902-1930. This pre-telephone era marks the height of postcard sending in Ireland. It was a time when lots of people sent postcards, because they represented the cheapest and most reliable form of communication.

In 1901 the population of the whole of the island of Ireland was 4,458,775 ---remember that fifty years prior to this it was 8,175,124! Because of the Great Famine and mass emigration the population had declined rapidly. In fact by the 1940s it had dropped even further. I mention this in connection with postcards to emphasise that Irish postcards of this period are really scarce. It was a poor country with a diminishing population.

For anyone interested in Irish memorabilia, postcards are a must! They are small, easy to handle, and packed with nostalgia. Because not alone do we have an image ---- sometimes a real photograph, a lithograph or a sketch - but most times we also have a message, a postage stamp and a cancellation mark.

The messages alone are worthy of a study in themselves.  Full of lonesomeness, fun, love, divilment and memories of all sorts.  They capture bits of Irish life - now long gone. The different hand writings styles.  The atmosphere and feelings that are reflected in the quaint language.  This old style language is now history.  Have to say we are rather fond of this charming language when compared to the "txtin' dat goes on 2day"!!
Lets give you an example of some recent ones that passed our way: 

An American exile living in Minnesota writes:  "The heat is fearful just now, if it continues like this I shall be melted away".

From a loved one:  "Whence this gloomy silence?  Let me know if I have offended thee".

From a fond chum:  "I'm having a ripping time"!...........

"Weather is here wish you were beautiful".......ok ok we made that one up ourselves!!

Condition:   Very Good.

• PayPal