Origins and Early Forms (1840s–1860s)
- 1840s: With the introduction of the Penny Post and the Penny Black stamp (world’s first adhesive postage stamp), communication became cheaper and more accessible in the UK.
- Precursor to postcards: People began sending "stationery cards" - essentially blank cards with prepaid postage.
Official Introduction (1870)
- 1870: The first official postal card was issued by the British Post Office. It was plain, with a space for the address only on one side, and a message on the other.
- These cards were strictly functional, no images, just text and were known as "Post Office cards".
Pictorial Postcards Emerge (1894)
- 1894: The British Post Office allowed the production and use of privately printed pictorial postcards.
- This led to an explosion in popularity, with cards depicting tourist attractions, seaside resorts, humorous scenes, and royal occasions.
- Seaside towns like Blackpool, Brighton, and Scarborough became famous for their colourful, sometimes cheeky postcards.
Golden Age of Postcards (1902–1918)
- 1902: The UK adopted the divided back postcard, with space for both the address and a message on one side, and the picture on the other.
- This era is considered the "Golden Age" due to the immense popularity and variety of postcards.
- Cards featured everything from art and humour to topographical views, holidays, and social commentary.
- Many cards were beautifully printed using chromolithography, and some were hand tinted.
- Publishers like Raphael Tuck & Sons, Valentine’s, and Bamforth were major players.
Wartime Use and Decline (1914–1939)
- During WWI, postcards were used heavily by soldiers to communicate with loved ones. Many were patriotic or sentimental.
- After the war, the novelty wore off somewhat, and with the rise of telephones and other technologies, postcard use began to decline.
- WWII further limited postcard production due to paper shortages.
Post-War Era and Modern Use (1945–present)
- In the 1950s and 60s, postcards remained popular, especially as souvenirs from holidays and day trips.
- They often featured photographic views, cheeky cartoons, and celebrity themes.
- By the 1990s, email and mobile phones further reduced their everyday communication function.
- Today, postcards are often collected as vintage items, and they retain a place in tourism, art, and ephemera collecting.