The Nation's Shrine's (1929)

 The nation's Shrines is a short video I recently uploaded to YouTube featuring a collection of 25 cigarette trading cards from a collection released in 1929 called the nation's Shrines. Each card is an image of an historic place from either England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and the complete set if featured in the video. They were released by Player's Cigarettes.

The images feature a number of abbey's, Cathedral's, Castle's and other places of interest in the United Kingdom. Sadly Kenilworth Castle is missing, the video software only aloud a brief glimpse of it between John Milton's cottage and Manorbier Castle. The pictures below are the ones that feature in the video. The break down of places represented is 17 sites from England, 3 from Wales and Ireland and 2 featured from Scotland. In this modern age i'm sure that split would be a bit more representative and certainly feature a few more sites of interest from the Celtic nations.

Ann Hathaway's Cottage, Warwickshire, England.

Blarney Castle, County Cork, Ireland.

Bootham Bar and York Minster, Yorkshire, England.

Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland.

Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, Ireland.

Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire, England.

Furness Abbey, Cumbria, England

Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset, England.

Haddon Hall, Derbyshire, England.

Henry VIII's Chapel, Westminster Abbey, London, England.

Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, Scotland.

John Knox's House, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Milton's Cottage, Buckinghamshire, England.

Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, England.

Manorbier Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Birthplace of William Shakespeare, Warwickshire, England.

St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, Wales

St Pauls Cathedral, London, England.

Stoke Poges Church, Buckinghamshire, England.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England.

The Cloisters at Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire, England.

Tower of London, London, England.

Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire, Wales.

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire, England.

Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire, England.

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A Glimpse into the Past: Unposted Vintage UK Postcards

There's something truly special about holding a piece of history in your hands, especially when it offers a window into a bygone era. We're excited to share a recent find: a set of six vintage postcards, each approximately 80 to 90 years old, all from the UK and, fascinatingly, all unposted. While their unposted nature makes precise dating a challenge, their charm and historical significance are undeniable.

Let's take a closer look at each one:

Flatford Bridge, Essex

Our first postcard features the picturesque Flatford Bridge, a well-known landmark situated about 13 miles northeast of Colchester, Essex. This charming bridge gracefully crosses the River Stour. The card itself was published by Judges LTD, Hastings, a prolific postcard publisher of the era.

Guy's Cliff Bridge and Waterfall, Warwickshire

Next up is a beautiful scene of Guy's Cliff Bridge and Waterfall, where the River Avon flows past Saxon Mill in Warwickshire. This card was published by W.A. Lenton of Leamington Spa, capturing a serene moment in the English countryside.

North Gate, Totnes, Devon

The third postcard transports us to the Devonshire town of Totnes, showcasing its iconic North Gate. This gateway holds historical importance, being a Grade II listed structure. This particular card is part of the Sepiatype Series by Valentine's, known for their distinctive sepia-toned images.

Bristol Cathedral

Moving on, we have a postcard depicting the grand Bristol Cathedral. This architectural marvel stands as a testament to centuries of history in the heart of Bristol.

Montgomery from Kerry Road, Powys, Wales

Our penultimate postcard offers a view of Montgomery as seen from Kerry Road. The name "Montgomery" is an English translation of "the town of Baldwin," and this town holds a unique position as a border town in Powys, Wales.

Temple Speech Room, Rugby

Finally, our set concludes with a postcard of the Temple Speech Room in Rugby. This impressive building is a notable feature of the historic town. This card, like the North Gate one, was also published by Valentine's, this time from Leamington Spa.

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A Glimpse Through Time: Leicester's Hospital, Warwick.

Holding this postcard, the familiar weight of aged cardstock in my hand, I'm transported not just to the charming medieval town of Warwick, but to a place steeped in history and quiet dedication: the Lord Leycester Hospital. It's more than just a picturesque building captured in sepia tones (or perhaps vibrant hues, depending on its vintage); it's a tangible link to centuries of care and service.

The subject of this particular piece of my ever-growing postcard collection is, as the name suggests, the Lord Leycester Hospital. But "hospital" in this context isn't the bustling medical facility we might imagine today. Instead, this remarkable institution stands as a beacon of enduring charity, a haven established in the late 16th century by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Its purpose then, as it remains today, is to provide support and accommodation for ex-servicemen and their wives or widows.

Think about that for a moment. While grand castles and bustling market squares often dominate historical narratives, here we have a place specifically designed to care for those who have served their country. Each stone of the Lord Leycester Hospital whispers tales of loyalty, sacrifice, and the enduring need to support those who have borne the burdens of conflict.

Looking closely at the image on the postcard – perhaps it captures the iconic timber-framed architecture, the serene Master's Garden, or the imposing gateway – I can almost feel the echoes of past residents. Imagine the conversations held within those ancient walls, the camaraderie forged through shared experiences, the quiet dignity of lives dedicated to service.

This postcard, therefore, transcends its simple function as a piece of correspondence. It's a miniature window into a world where compassion and community have stood the test of time. It's a reminder that history isn't just about battles and monarchs; it's also about the enduring efforts to care for one another.

As a small part of my larger collection, this postcard of the Lord Leycester Hospital holds a special significance. It represents not just a beautiful building, but a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of human kindness and the importance of remembering and supporting those who have served. It's a story etched in ink and paper, a story I'm proud to hold within my hands.

What stories do your own collections hold? Have you ever encountered a seemingly simple object that unlocked a deeper understanding of history or human connection?

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