Jean Tyler - Dorney Photographs and Postcards

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Dorney Photographs

Dorney Postcards

Jean collected a large number of Dorney Postcards dating from around 1900.

Postcards featuring English village scenes have been popular since the early 20th century, evolving alongside photography and printing technology.

Early 1900s (1900–1910) – The Golden Age of Postcards

• Picture postcards became widely available after the Post Office allowed divided-back postcards (1902) for messages and addresses.

• Many early village scene postcards were black-and-white photographs or hand-tinted lithographs.

• They often depicted thatched cottages, churches, local markets, and rural landscapes.

• Raphael Tuck & Sons and Francis Frith were major publishers producing high-quality images.

1910–1930 – Expansion and World War I Influence

• Sepia and monochrome real-photo postcards became more common.

• World War I slowed postcard production, but nostalgic rural scenes remained popular.

• Postcards captured social history, showing village fairs, horse-drawn carts, and local trades.

1930–1950 – Decline During War and Rise of Color

• Advances in photomechanical printing led to sharper images.

• The war years (1939–1945) saw a decline in postcard production due to paper shortages.

• Post-war, coloured postcards became more widespread, often hand-tinted versions of black-and-white photographs.

1950–1980 – Rise of Mass-Produced Tourist Postcards

• The rise of mass tourism led to more scenic village postcards.

• Printed in full colour, these featured idyllic countryside views, historic landmarks, and pub scenes.

• Publishers like J. Salmon Ltd. and local photographers produced glossy postcards for souvenir shops.

1980–Present – Nostalgia and Collectibility

• While digital communication reduced postcard use, vintage postcards gained popularity among collectors.

• Reprints of old village scenes are popular in heritage shops and online marketplaces.

• Some small publishers still create artistic or photographic village scene postcards for tourists and local interest.