West Parade and Soldiers' Memorial, Rhyl - 1908


Whilst rummaging through piles of postcards in thrift stores or on market stalls some vintage postcards will catch my eye immediately; this Edwardian British seaside postcard of the West Parade and Soldiers' Memorial in Rhyl on the north coast of Wales caught my attention, because it is so rich in contemporary detail – the fashions of the day, the horse and carriage, the promenading women with parasols – but also, and most strikingly, because of the way the people in the foreground of this shot are staring directly at the photographer.

The schoolboy in his high collar and boater is dressed up in his Sunday best (or maybe his school uniform, as there seems to be a satchel at his feet) and looks stiff and uncomfortable in those clothes - he is positively scowling! I love the chap sitting on the bench – his long moustache and fashionable homburg hat are so evocative of that period. Apparently Edward VII himself wore a homburg and they became all the rage.

The war memorial in the background was first erected to commemorate the soldiers who had died during the second Boer War in South Africa (1899–1902). It was later moved to the Rhyl Garden of Remembrance where it is found today, although sadly, many more names of those lives lost in wars over the last century – both World War I and II and more recent military conflicts – have since been added to it.

The postcard was printed in England by E.S.London from a hand coloured black and white photograph and it has a glossy finish that simulates the look of a real photograph very well. First posted on the 7 September, 1908 it was sent to the wrong address, but forwarded on to the recipient the very next day, so therefore carries two separate postal cancellations.


For those of you NOT on a mobile device, here's the message to save you from having to turn your screens upside down!
Up here for the
weekend with
some friends.
It is very hot
and a beautiful
place.
Bert
I've been to North Wales and I confess that it's never been very warm...but maybe 1908 was a very good year!

Comments

Christine H. said…
Oh, that's a gem. The boy is adorable. I also notice that the bench has a footboard or rest. That's the first time I've seen one of those.
grace said…
What a great old vintage postcard.