Postcards offering glimpses into 20th Century life sell for £4,000 at auction
Staffordshire postcards opening a window on life across the county 100 years ago have sold at auction for £4,000.
The eclectic collection of 761 cards features places including Stafford, Lichfield, Whittington, Chase Terrace, Chasetown, Burntwood, Hammerwich, Cannock, Norton Canes, Cheslyn Hay, Hednesford, Rugeley, Armitage, Kings Bromley, Abbots Bromley, Burton, Uttoxeter and Stretton.
Compiled in three albums, the postcards sold above estimate at £4,000 with Richard Winterton Auctioneers at The Lichfield Auction Centre on Monday.
“This collection of postcards focussing on early 20th century Staffordshire was simply sensational,” said auctioneer Richard Winterton, who wielded the gavel on the day.
“From streets and shops to churches and schools, roads and canals to railways, it was as comprehensive as it was fascinating.
"Unsurprisingly we had lots of interest and on sale day it came down to a big battle between bidders in the room and on the telephone, with the phone bidder securing the collection for a well-deserved £4,000.”
Ephemera specialist Robert French catalogued the postcards for auction.
“The collection depicted all aspects of life in Staffordshire,” he said. “Examples included the illustrious mining heritage of Cannock Chase; First World War prisoner of war camps and military camps on the Chase; the ‘Tackeroo Express’ military railway, constructed in 1915 to serve the Brocton and Rugeley camps; and Whittington Barracks.
"It is most definitely a unique glimpse into our home county’s heritage.”
Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers free valuations of all types of antiques and collectables at the Fradley Park saleroom as well as other pop-up sessions across the area including at Burntwood Library from 2pm to 4.30pm on the last Tuesday in the month and at Burton Market Hall on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm (jewellery on Mondays 10am to 1pm).
