Such was their popularity – covering, as we have said, a huge range of subjects, that the postcard publishers of the period must have had an absolute field day and names which particularly stood out as producing real quality photo ‘Glamour’ images were: The Carlton Publishing Company, Rotary Photo, Raphael Tuck, Schwerdleger & Company, Ettlingers and Alfred Stiebel to name but a few. It is estimated that by the early 1900s, the publishers were producing around 50,000 postcards per day and it was said that the national UK population of 37 million at that time was mailing 600 million postcards annually! By 1910, that figure had risen by an astonishing fifty per cent, to the extent that a large industry arose to supply whole ranges of beautifully decorated albums to house people’s collections. Even today, though often in a somewhat ‘tatty’ condition, these albums still regularly turn up at antique fairs and auctions.
Conversely, as with the models, the actual photographers never seem to get a mention with the notable exception of one well known ‘snapper’ by the name of H E KIESEL – who always seems to have his name on the front of any postcards featuring his work. He was undoubtedly very accomplished and constantly produced a variety of attractive poses – invariably getting the best from his sitters. There were also many artists who came up with their own graphic (as opposed to photographic) interpretations of these young ladies in their hats and the names of C.W. Barber, Lawrence Miller and E.H. Kiefer quite frequently appear.
