You are in [Themes] [Dating Old Photographs of Hungerford] [Dating Albert Parsons' Photographs]
(Updated 17th January 2019)
Albert Parsons’ postcards have a wide variety of printing on the reverse – not surprising when he published postcards for around 50 years!
It is very difficult to tie down the printing dates from the photographs used, as I think he continued to re-publish the postcards long after he took the photographs!
My early researches into this seem to show at least 13 different styles!
Style 1: A. PARSONS Photo., / Church Street, Hungerford. Berks. (c1905-c1910):
It is currently unclear just when Albert Parsons came to work in Hungerford. I had thought it was as early as c1902, although at this time he was still living in Pewsey. In 1903 he married Elsie Willis in Pewsey, and they lived in Pewsey. Their first three children born 1904, 1909 and 1910 were baptised in Pewsey. Clara was born 1915 in Hungerford.
It seems that initially he was unable to find ideal premises for a photographic studio, so he and his wife made their first home in Church Street and built a studio in the garden.
The earliest date we currently have is of troops marching north along Bridge Street:
Troops marching north along Bridge Street, July 1909.
This photograph is in Roger Day’s book “The Western Kennet Valley in the Great War” (page 11). Sue Hopson has a nearly identical postcard of this image, which is clearly postmarked “Ardington/JY 9/1909”.
A further example of this style of address is found on the postcards taken during the Funeral of Freddie Pratt, June 1910 give the Church Street address:
June 1910: Freddie Pratt’s funeral
Style 2: A. PARSONS Photographer, Hungerford. Berks. (c1909-c1911):
1909-1911?: GWR Bus Service (labelled “Hungerford via Ramsbury”) outside railway station, c1910?
The bus is a 20hp Milnes Daimler, first registered in Cornwall August 1905. The Hungerford-Marlborough service started in October 1909 and was extended to a Hungerford-Swindon service in October 1911.
Sue Hopson has a PC of Ham with the same AP legend, postmarked March 1910.
Style 3: “A. Parsons Photo, Hungerford. Berks. / The address only to be written here” (c1910-c1912):
At 1 Bridge Street, c1910-c1917: Within a few years, however, he was able to move to a prime site at 1 Bridge Street, next to the Hungerford Printing Works.
The photo of the new fire engine (post marked 7 Oct 1910) has a new style of printing:
New fire engine outside The Bear 23rd September 1918 (postmarked 7th October 1910)
Similar printing was on the July 1912 PC of the Brass and Reed Band at Denford Park:
July 1912: Hungerford Brass and Reed Band at Denford Park (known to be July 1912)
Style 4: No Parsons text / For Address only:
This card, postmarked 28 Feb 1911, but of an image from October 1910 is different again – with no Parsons text, and “For Address only” (which was a Post office regulation of September 1902). There is nothing to confirm that this was a Parsons postcard, but the style of the photograph matches closely with other Parsons photographs taken on the same day. It is unclear why this has no “Parsons” printing.
Fire engine demo on wharf (from 23 Sep 1910) (postmarked 28 Feb 1911)
Style 5: No Parsons text / CORRESPONDENCE / ADDRESS ONLY (c1912):
The photo of the just demolished tanyard chimney at Riverside, 1 Charnham Street, which I think was c1912? The caption is typical Parsons style. Sue Hopson explains that this is “standard bromide stock” card.
1912: Ruins of tanyard chimney (undated, thought to be 1912)
Style 6: A. Parsons, Photo, Hungerford, Berks / The address to be written here / LA Stamp here cartouche (c1912):
All the postcards of King George V’s visit to Hungerford in October 1912, and the series of postcards of Beating the Bounds in 1913 are on this style postcard. The “LA” cartouche was on common bromide stock.
26 Oct 1912: King’s Visit (and Beating the Bounds etc etc)
Style 7: A. Parsons, Bridge Street, Hungerford, Berks / The address to be written here / STAMP / * / HERE cartouche (c1917):
1917?: Panto – including nurses, ?from VAD Hospital, 1915-1918?
Style 8: No Parsons text / The address to be written here / STAMP / * / HERE cartouche (c1917):
Similar to style 7, but without the Parsons text. This is dated 1917.
1st Hungerford Coy Girl Guides (dated 1917)
Style 9: A. Parsons, Photo Hungerford, Berks / The address to be written here / STAMP / * / HERE cartouche (c1917-19):
Undated: Portrait of Police Inspector Godwin, c1919?
Inspector Godwin is also included in the group photo of 33 police officers and reservists, 1919.
Style 10: A. Parsons, Hungerford, Berks. High Street. / Nil else.
He moved to 30 High Street c1917.
Undated: Portrait of Police Inspector Godwin, c1919?
Style 11: No Parsons text / Communication-Correspondence / Address - Addresse.
1919: Young Helpers’ League (Postmark 1919)
Style 12: A. PARSONS, Photo / ??? Hungerford, Berks / ??? / INLAND ???
21st April 1921: War Memorial Dedication Service (Known date of event)
Style 13: No Parsons text / CORRESPONDENCE / ADDRESS (c1921):
Young Helpers’ League Meeting, Hungerford, 4th June 1921 (postmarked 20 July 1921)
The Canal Wharf, 2011