Postcards provide familiar sights from York's past

She brought two sets of old postcards of York that belong to her father, John, into the Press offices in Walmgate.

Each set was still in its original paper package, now browned with age.

But inside, the black and white cards were in beautiful condition.

Beverley’s father now lives in Kidderminster. But he is interested in social history, and is a collector of old photographs and postcards. “He goes to auctions and buys job lots,” said Beverley, who lives in Beckfield Lane.

All of the postcards we reproduce today come from a set entitled Historic And Picturesque York.

Beverley isn’t sure how old they are. But looking at the car in the Monk Bar card, and also judging by the clothes of some of the people in other cards, we would guess the photographs were taken at least 100 years or so ago.

Each card has a black background inset with one or two photographs, along with a few descriptive words.

The Monk Bar card, for example, explains that the bar was formerly in use as a prison. The portcullis chamber shows perfectly how for centuries York’s gateways assured the citizens’ safety.

An unusual feature of the bar, the card adds, is the exterior pageant and proclamation gallery, which can be clearly seen in the photograph.

There is a lovely picture of Walmgate Bar, with a group on cycles gathered beneath. “The pillar-supported house on the inside front of Walmgate Bar is an example of the architecture of the spacious days of Queen Elizabeth,” the cards proclaims.

“The embattled barbican, a rare survival of 14th century York, adds considerable interest.”

There is, naturally, a card depicting Shambles. The street is described as a curious medley of clustering roofs and overhanging eaves and gables – a picturesque memorial of Ango-Danish York.” The card includes an inset photograph of a lantern window, “one of many quaint survivals of bygone days in this part of the ancient city”.

There is also a classic image of Exhibition Square, complete with statue of William Etty - which, at the time the photo was taken, was still surrounded by iron railings - and views of Bootham Bar and the Minster.

“The architecture of Bootham symbolises the old-time military & ecclesiastical splendours of York,” the card explains. Etty himself is described merely as “a native of York”, which isn't perhaps the most informative of captions, but is true nevertheless.

It is a beautiful set of cards, presumably designed to be bought as a keepsake. It is a reminder of just how long York has been a city that people love to visit.