Always popular on postcards was Preston Guild. There was a Preston Guild held at the beginning of the Edwardian era, in 1902. This postcard proudly shows the coat of arms of the then town of Preston. The lamb is the emblem of St. Wilfrid and PP stands for Prince of Peace – in latin, Princeps Pacis – or sometimes Proud Preston. The relatively new Harris also features. Notably, it was a time when air pollution from factories represented progress.

Postcards in colour

In 1900 photographic black and white postcards were produced using the collotype process. With this method the printing plate was coated with a light sensitive gelatin and then exposed using a negative. The plate was then ‘developed’ leaving a raised gelatin area that would take the ink for printing.

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After printing, to make colour cards, they were often hand tinted by cheap labour, usually girls. The colouring was fairly rudimentary but attractive. Real colour photographs on postcards did not appear until the 1950s. This card was one of a series showing the coat of arms and views of the town.

Preston Town Hall burns down, 1947

Another view featuring Preston’s coat of arms shows Fishergate. The tram livery was mostly maroon. Unfortunately, the Gothic town hall, shown on the left, burnt down in 1947. The time on the clock was frozen at 3.45am, the time of the fire.

Preston’s parks and railways

Another popular subject for postcards was Preston’s parks. The bridge in front is the original railway bridge built by the North Union Railway in the 1840s. The later East Lancashire Railway bridge is in the background. This bridge is still present but it is now used as a footpath. Sadly public boats are no longer a feature of the parks and river. 

The North Union bridge has since been widened and is now festooned with the overhead wiring and supports for the West Coast main line electrification. It was opened in 1838 and widened in 1880 and again in 1902.

Friargate shops

Here, Friargate is featured in a wintery scene. Christmas is approaching and the sun sets behind the Harris as a tram trundles past the shops.

The Sessions House

The Sessions House in Lancaster Road is a Grade II listed building and was opened in 1904. The Edwardian Baroque style building sits next to the Harris. Inside, two courtrooms on the first floor are used daily by Preston Crown Court. The County Court and Family Court also use two smaller courtrooms.

Preston Crown Court has been the location of many famous cases, including the case of mass murderer Harold Shipman.

Miller Park and the Park Hotel

The scene is very similar today. Recent plans to restore the Park Hotel seem to have stalled. The building had been used as offices and an ugly modern tower block was later demolished.

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