Why are there so many postcards of Grasmere in this collection?
Grasmere has a strong literary connection. William Wordsworth lived at Dove Cottage from 1799 to 1808 and later at Rydal Mount until his death in 1850, and the area attracted large numbers of visitors and postcard publishers as a result. That popularity is reflected in how often Grasmere and the surrounding fells appear in Lake District postcards generally.
What's the difference between Cumberland, Westmorland and Cumbria?
Cumberland and Westmorland were separate historic counties until 1974, when local government reforms merged them, along with parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire, into the modern county of Cumbria. Older postcards usually use the historic county names, which is why we list them this way.
Does this collection cover the whole Lake District?
Mostly, yes. Windermere, Grasmere, Derwentwater, Ullswater and Buttermere are all well represented, alongside towns like Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness further out. As with any county collection, the exact mix depends on what's come into stock.
How would you describe the condition of your postcards?
Every listing includes photos of both sides of the postcard, so you can see its condition for yourself. Where there's a specific issue that isn't obvious from the photos, such as a tear or thinning, we'll mention it in the description.
Are these genuine old postcards, or modern reprints?
Every postcard in this collection is an original from the period it was printed, not a reproduction. Some are unposted and never went through the mail, while others carry a postmark and message from decades ago, but both are equally genuine vintage pieces.
Can I see the back of the postcard as well as the front?
Yes, every listing includes photos of both sides, so you can check for any postmark, message or stamp before you buy, as well as the picture itself.
How can you tell how old a Cumberland or Westmorland postcard is?
If a postcard has been posted, the postmark on the back will usually give you a date. Where it isn't legible, or there's no postmark at all, we look at details like the printing style, the stamp box design and the publisher's mark to estimate an approximate era.
Do you have postcards of a specific town or lake?
We list new postcards regularly, so if the place you're after isn't showing today, it's worth checking back. You're also welcome to get in touch and we can let you know if we have it in unlisted stock.
