Early C20th postcards show 'unique glimpse' of Staffordshire 100 years ago

Early C20th postcards show 'unique glimpse' of Staffordshire 100 years ago

‘ECLECTIC’ early 20th century postcards which open a window on life in Staffordshire a century ago are coming to auction.

Three albums bring together 761 cards featuring 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.

They go under the hammer as Lot 530 on Day One of Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Antiques & Home Sale on Monday June 12, starting 9.30am at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park.

As a single lot, the three albums are estimated at £2,500 to £3,500.

The lost coal mines of Brindley Heath, Coppice Colliery in Heath Hayes and West Cannock.

There are glimpses of streets now much-changed, shops, schools, churches, roads, canals and railway stations.

The illustrious mining heritage of Cannock Chase is represented by postcards of the lost collieries of Littleton, West Cannock, Brindley Heath, Brereton and Coppice Colliery at Heath Hayes.

Postcards showing life at Rugeley camp and, bottom, the ‘Tackeroo Express’ military railway.

Railway stations include Stafford, Stone, Newcastle, Penkridge, Sandon, Uttoxeter, Colwich, Great Haywood, Barton, Walton, Burton upon Trent, Tutbury, Sudbury, Milford and Rugeley.

There is also the ‘Tackeroo Express’ military railway, which was constructed in 1915 to serve the Brocton and Rugeley camps on Cannock Chase.

A German prisoner of war hoisting the British flag at the YMCA Rugeley camp on Armistice Day 1918.

Several postcards depict the military camp at Rugeley, with one showing a German prisoner of war hoisting the British flag on Armistice Day, November 11 1918, and others showing staff, officers and buildings.

Postcards showing Burton's brewing heritage and, bottom, Stafford's Lotus Shoe Factory.

Camps at Penkridge Bank, Milford and Brockton also feature, as does Whittington Barracks and the Soldiers' Home, which later became the clubhouse of Whittington Heath Golf Course.

Other postcards show the pottery kilns at Armitage, breweries in Burton upon Trent, Stafford’s Lotus Shoe Factory, the old cinema at Sankey's Corner, Chase Terrace and Beaudesert Hall.

A detail of a postcard showing Lichfield's clock tower in its original position at the junction of Bird Street and Bore Street.

Other snapshots into life long ago include the Chasetown Churchyard Brigade Company ‘having snap’, the landlord and customers standing outside The Albion Inn in Rugeley and Lichfield’s clock tower in its original position, two decades before it was moved in 1928.

There is also a souvenir of King Edward VII’s visit to Stafford in 1907 and the proclamation of King George V 1910 in Hednesford.

Whittington Barracks and the Soldiers' Home, which later became the clubhouse of Whittington Heath Golf Course.

“We are delighted to be offering this fantastic and eclectic collection of early 20th century postcards which depict all aspects of life in our home county of Staffordshire,” said Robert French, ephemera specialist at Richard Winterton Auctioneers.

“Examples include scenes from many of our major towns and villages as well as images of First World War prisoner of war camps, lost coal mines and long abandoned railway stations.

Robert French with some of the collection.

“There are also cards of the famous Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, first performed nearly 800 years ago in 1226 and which now attracts visitors from around the world.

“In our opinion this collection is a unique glimpse into our heritage.”

Views of old Rugeley including Horse Fair, Upper Brook Street, an Elizabethan cottage long-since demolished and the railway arches.

The catalogue will be online a week before the sale via our Auction Dates page and viewing in person takes place on Friday, June 9, from 10am-4pm.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers free valuations of all types of antiques and collectables at the Fradley Park saleroom.

Cannock Chase military camps at Milford and Rugeley.

There are also other pop-up valuation sessions across the area including at Burntwood Library from 2-4.30pm on the last Tuesday in the month and at Burton Market Hall, next on Wednesday, June 14 from 10am-1pm.

To book valuations or to discuss house clearances and large collections, telephone 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk.

Early C20th postcards of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance.