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Original 1909 real photo postcard showing Hatfield House, the historic country residence of the Marquesses of Salisbury in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England.
The photograph presents a garden-side view of the grand Jacobean mansion, including its brick façade, tall windows, numerous chimney stacks, decorative stonework, rooftop balustrade, domed corner tower, climbing ivy, formal lawn, and planted gardens.
Hatfield House was built between 1607 and 1612 for Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury. It has remained closely associated with the Cecil family and continues to serve as the principal residence of the Marquesses of Salisbury.
The handwritten message identifies the building:
“Hatfield House, the seat of the Marquis of Salisbury, just north of London.”
The sender also explains that this was “one of the post cards Carl has taken,” strongly suggesting that the image was a personal photograph developed as a real photo postcard rather than a commercially published view. This gives the card an appealing connection to early amateur photography and Edwardian-era travel.
The card was written in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on July 13, 1909, and mailed with a Salisbury postmark. It was addressed to Mr. Charles G. King in Gallipolis, Ohio. The message discusses the travelers’ sightseeing and their trip through England and Europe.
The card retains its original red British one-penny King Edward VII postage stamp.
An attractive combination of English architectural history, early amateur photography, international postal history, Edwardian travel, and an Ohio destination.
CONDITION
Good antique condition with expected age and handling wear. The postcard has age toning, scattered spotting and surface soiling, light edge wear, softened and bumped corners, small corner creases, and minor surface scratches or scuffs.
The reverse has extensive handwritten correspondence, postal ink, smudging, and general handling marks. The original one-penny stamp remains attached, and the Salisbury postmark is substantially visible, although portions overlap the stamp and are difficult to read.
The photograph remains clear and displays considerable architectural and garden detail. Please examine both scans carefully for the complete condition.
ITEM SPECIFICS
- Type: Real photo postcard
- Era: Divided Back Era
- Date written: July 13, 1909
- Mailing date: July 1909
- Postmark: Salisbury, England
- Photograph subject: Hatfield House
- Location shown: Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England
- Writing location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
- Destination: Gallipolis, Ohio, United States
- Recipient: Mr. Charles G. King
- Landmark: Hatfield House
- Historic association: Marquesses of Salisbury
- Architecture: Jacobean country house
- Photographer: Possibly “Carl,” as identified by the sender
- Postage: British one-penny King Edward VII stamp
- Postage condition: Posted
- Writing: Handwritten travel message and address
- Color: Black and white/sepia
- Country of origin: England
- Original/Reproduction: Original antique real photo postcard
- Themes: English estates, manor houses, gardens, architecture, European travel and international postal history
