Postcards provided the social media of the early 20th Century and multiple daily postal deliveries ensured that Flora received Gertie’s arrangements in time. A new role as diary keeper for the Tower to add to its portfolio?
Postcard Dated 29 January 1906
Gertie’s tasteful Hildesheimer & Co picture postcard of the Tower covered all eventualities, and we can only hope the girls met up and had a great night out.
Siegmund Hildesheimer moved to England from Germany in the 1870s, and established his publishing company in Manchester. A London office followed, producing Christmas then advertising cards, and finally picture postcards. Links with Germany were maintained, and this card was printed in Bavaria considered at the time to produce a superior product. Siegmund died in 1896, but the firm continued until the 1920s.
This uncredited artist’s view of the south face of the Tower from the Thames represented a sound business move – as art, anachronistic views enjoyed a longer life. Steam tugs first appeared on the Thames in 1816, and Thames sailing barges long before that. The changing buildings on the Tower site suggests it was painted after the reconstruction of the inner ward defences (1879-1888) and before remodelling of the Main Guard – the squat, crenelated building west of the White Tower – in 1898. Gertie and Flora were unlikely to care about such detail.
Unfortunately for those of us who like to know more about the people behind the postcard, Gertie will remain anonymous. Flora, on the other hand, may be the eighteen-year-old kitchen maid, recorded in the 1901 Census return working in the Invalid’s Home at 36, Aubert Park, Highbury. Other Flora Gibsons shown in the area are all too young to be gallivanting out of an evening – even 5 years on. The Invalid’s Home, now converted into flats, and 27, Dagmar Road survive today.
However, you can follow in Gertie’s footsteps today – literally. Crouch End Station, built in 1867, survived the Second World War, and finally closed 3 July 1954. The track continued in use for goods trains and later underground stock until October 1970. In 1972, the track was removed and the buildings demolished but the platforms remain, and now form part of the Parkland Walk opened in 1984.
Developed from a post on Royal Armouries website originally released 2021.
Recipient:
Miss Gibson, 27 Dagmar Road, Stroud Green, N
Transcript:
Muswell Hill
29.1.06
Dear Flora
If fine on Wednesday I expect I shall walk to Crouch End, so do not expect me at the station but come straight to the hall. I shall be there about 7. If wet I shall go by train & will be at Crouch End Station at 7-6.
With love / Gertie/
Postmark:
30 JAN06; HORNSEY-
