Society member Stuart Ingram has been collecting postcards for a number of years and has accumulated over 3000 postcards dealing with a wide range of interests and subjects.
Postcards first came into use in a substantial way in the 1880’s and 1890’s. They have been widely used and produced ever since and most people will have sent or received a postcard.
However with a history now of well over 130 years they are a valuable source of images, illustration and record for the historian. Quite apart from any correspondence which may be shown on them and may be of social interest.
To reflect something of the range, historical fascination and rarity of some of the Ingram collection, Society Chairman Mike Duguid, put together a presentation of over 60 unusual, and in some cases rare or unique, images from the collection.
To illustrate the scale of this personal archive which the Society was privileged to see, he explored three themes.
First he showed a range of postcards of local towns and villages narrating stories and explaining features associated with the pictures. Places included Twynholm, Castle Douglas, Carlingwark Loch, Threave Castle, Borgue, Lauriston, Ringford, and Kirkcudbright.
Featuring scenes long since gone and replaced by building development; building and architectural features; buildings no longer standing; building interiors; street scenes from the past; movements and assemblies of troops and people; other significant assemblies of people like large scale funerals; shipping from over 100 years ago to more recent times; trophies; and items of clothing. Each postcard “had a story to tell”.
Second to reflect something of the range and diversity of the collection he showed images of the iconic battle Cruiser H.M.S. Hood. Commissioned in1920 there were stirring pictures of the vessel at sea and in different worldwide ports. Regrettably the ship was sunk in 1941 during the second world war, with huge loss of life. Unfortunately Ordinary Seaman Peter Simpson was one local casualty.
Third using a varied collection of miscellaneous postcards to show something of the richness of the collection, he straddled features like churches, fisheries, former grand houses, hotels, gardens, cinemas, roads and viaducts. In doing so he gave an appreciation of the postcard as a valuable historical record of the past.
The presentation was preceded by the Kirkcudbright History Society A.G.M. in which the Chairman reflected on another successful and interesting year; the Treasurer reported on the healthy state of the Society finances; all of the existing committee agreed to continue to serve this thriving society; and some forthcoming highlights, activities and events were signposted.
These include an archaeological dig to take place at Tongland Abbey to learn more about this locally significant structure founded by Alan, Lord of Galloway who was present at the signing of Magna Carta. Also a forthcoming lecture on May 18 in Kirkcudbright Parish Church Hall, in cooperation with the Stewartry Museum, which will be of interest to many local people in Galloway. Andrew Nicholson, Dumfries and Galloway Archaeologist, will be talking about archaeology in the region and particularly the recently uncovered Viking hoard, which is thought to be of national significance.