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Writing home from Vladivostok, 1907 Philip Robinson Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, is an important seaport and naval base, and at the turn of the last century it was the eastern terminus of the newly-built Trans-Siberian Railway. It is not an old city, having been founded as recently as the 1860s, a time when Russia began to exert more influence in the Far East, the superb natural harbour making it an obvious choice as a base for shipping and commerce. In the early 1900s British ships occasionally called at Vladivostok, including Royal Naval vessels. The postcards shown here were sent home to England in August 1907 by a young sailor whose ship was visiting Vladivostok, and who was writing to his girlfriend. There may have been a diplomatic connection with his ship’s presence in Vladivostok, as on 31 August 1907 the ‘Anglo-Russian Entente’ was concluded, which settled the two powers’ outstanding differences in Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet. We arrived here last Tuesday 19th August and we have had a very decent time. The Russians have been asking us out to dinners and concerts since we have been here, quite a strange thing for them but they are alright … Card no. 2 not available – the message evidently referred to the ship’s next port of call. Card no. 3 (right) – artistdrawn design incorporating a view of the railway station … when I will write as soon as I arrive and let you know about the turn out we have had here. I hope you get these safe as it is a very bad route and not always safe … Card no. 4 (below left) – a view of wooden boats in a small bay … so I hope and trust you get them safe. I hope you are enjoying the best of of the Empire would… Card no. 6 (opposite page, top) – view of the Oriental Institute … suit me better, what do you say about it Eh. Well never mind cheer up, I found the postcards in a dealer’s stock at the York fair a few years ago. There are six cards addressed to Deptford, London, all posted on the same day. Looking more closely at the postcards, I noticed that they were all numbered, and it was clear that the inscriptions actually comprised a single message, written on successive cards. Unfortunately, card no. 2 was not in the dealer’s stock, but I purchased the rest of them. The cards were all published in Vladivostok by Kunst & Albers. This was the largest of several German firms which operated in Russia’s Far East at that time, and publishing postcards was purely a sideline - the firm had a large department store on Vladivostok’s main street, and they also had interests in mining, fisheries and other local industries. The sender of the cards had chosen quite a good selection of views to show ‘Miss E. O’Neil’ a little of the city, and here is a transcript of what is written on the cards, together with a brief description of each card. Card no. 1 (above) – view of Vladivostok railway station Dear E. Just a line to let you know that I am still alive and kicking very lively at present. health and strength, also that Ma and Vi are the same and Charlie and Nell and children are the same. As you can guess I am very ill in bed as I always am. We have a concert and nigger party coming off on board… Card no. 5 (below) – view of the Russo-Chinese Bank … and it will be almost as good as the Empire except that we don’t sit on plush seats and no programme girl to talk to - Eh what! But only wooden stools and print our own programme on a typewriter machine, and entrance fee nothing, but still 2 seats Nos. 7 and 8 in the back row I hope to have the pleasure again of sitting in No 8 with you in No 7. Well Edith I humbly apologise if you have had to pay extra postage on any of these postcards that I have sent you… Card no. 7 (opposite) – artistdrawn design incorporating small views of a market by the quayside and the Triumphal Arch. … but I had no business to have written on the front part at all unless I put the postage for a letter on and I do not think I have done that always so I hope it has not inconve- 18 Picture Postcard Monthly July 2010
nienced you at all. Well Edith hoping to hear from you soon, I will close with best to all and extra for yourself, so au revoir W.D.C.T. The sender was clearly writing to his girlfriend Edith, the ‘Miss O’Neil’ to whom the cards were sent, and he only identified himself by his initials. However, a little research in public records has enabled me to find out a little bit about him and his paramour. William Dan Coningsly Taylerson was born in Hackney, London, in 1884, the son of a council clerk, while Edith May O’Neil was born in Walworth, London, in 1888. At the time of the 1901 census, William Taylerson was a sixteen year-old member of the crew of H.M.S Impregnable. This ship, formerly H.M.S. Howe, had by the 1890s become a training ship based at Devonport. The 1911 census return shows William as a ‘Petty Officer Telegraphist, Royal Navy’ who was a ‘visitor’ at the Deptford home of 50 year-old Mrs Ellen Mary Willmore. At the same address were Mrs Willmore’s daughters Edith O’Neil, 22, and Violet O’Neil, 19, Edith being described as a ‘blouse maker’. More research confirmed that Mrs Willmore’s first husband, William O’Neil, had died in 1890. So in 1907 William Taylerson had been writing to the teenage Edith, at whose home he was living four years later. Although William and Edith were eventually married, they evidently enjoyed quite a long courtship (some of this time evidently being spent in the back row of the “Empire”) as the wedding did not take place until 1915. They are hard to trace in later records, and do not seem to have had any children. They may perhaps have emigrated; William does not appear to be listed as a First World War casualty. I wonder if I shall ever find the missing card no. 2?! The Picture Postcard Show (Bipex) 2010 is at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster, London SW1 Thurs - Sat 2 - 4 September with postcard exhibition on London Life Don’t miss it! Stockport (mid-week) Fair - Last Tuesday of Month Postcards, Stamps, Cigarette Cards - Ephemera and Postal History. Masonic Guildhall - Wellington Road South SK1 3XE Next dates - Tuesdays June 29th, July 27th, September 28th, October 26th, November 30th. Details - Simon Collyer 07966 565151 HAYWARDS HEATH INTERNATIONAL Postcard, Cigarette Card and Collectors Fair The top event of its kind in the Southern Counties! Saturday 3 July 10.30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 55 Tables specialising in: POSTCARDS *CIGARETTE CARDS *EPHEMERA *STAMPS *POSTAL HISTORY *ALBUMS *ACCESSORIES ETC. Clair Hall, Perrymount Road, HAYWARDS HEATH West Sussex Admission £1 Refreshments Free Parking Dealers booked include: * Topo Plus * Brian Girling * Mike Felmore * Peter Holroyd * Tim Notley * Tony Michaels * Philip Chipperfield * Mick Devonald * Beacon Postcards * Lesley Davies * Peter Robinson * Peter Lindfield * John Priestley * Andrew George * Chris Hoskins * Rob Roy Albums * John Rendell * Andrew Bowker * John Kidson * Jane Dembrey * Janice Withers * Graham Green * Peter Duncan * Jackie Worling and more to follow! For further information and bookings: Rosemary Shepherd/Beacon Fairs 01892-662132 Future Dates: 7 August, 4 September STAMP & POSTCARD FAIRS Modern postcards as well as old ones are well featured at each event This month’s fairs: Sunday 11th July WYMONDHAM, Ketts Park Community Centre Saturday 31st July WOODBRIDGE, Community Centre Next month’s fair: Sunday 1st August LEIGH-ON-SEA, West Leigh Junior School All fairs 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Details: Ray How 01702-544632 Picture Postcard Monthly July 2010 19
Page 1 and 2: The top magazine for collectors of
Page 3 and 4: 15 Debdale Lane Keyworth Nottingham
Page 5 and 6: Postcard Exhibition helps Charities
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Page 9 and 10: AND IT’S JUST SO EASY TO REACH TH
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Page 27 and 28: R F Postcard Fairs: This is probabl
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Page 37 and 38: In 1913 the Orient Line ordered a l
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Page 41 and 42: Winchester, Basingstoke, Shrewsbury
Page 43 and 44: Just the ticket! The June edition o
Page 45 and 46: ... and wall paintings by Donald Mc
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Page 53 and 54: LANCASHIRE DANCE BANDS pre- 1925. M
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