Saturday, June 9, 2012

Object of the Day: A Postcard of H.M. George V



This is one of my favorite pictures of King George V. He looks young and handsome and bright-eyed. This photo was taken in 1913 before the Great War. This is the last we’ll see of George looking untroubled. The war changed everything, including His Majesty.

The photo graces a postcard which I recently acquired. The card was published by J. Beagles and Co., Ltd. who always boasted that each card was adorned with a “genuine photograph.” They also went as far as to claim on each card that theirs were, “the best in the world.”

The front of the card reads simply: “H.M. King George V.”

This card, unlike most of the others in my collection was actually used. It’s, frankly, a miracle that it’s in such good shape—having been posted. The postmark states that it was mailed in Britain on November 25, 1914. At that time, the First World War was beginning.

So, who used the card? Let’s see.

It was addressed to:

Miss L. Taylor
42 Airedale Avenue
Chiswick 


And, it reads:

Dear Sis,
Wishing you many Happy Returns of the Day.
Kind Regards, 
Elsie



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