If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 681

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, ca 1902-1905

 

The used divided back postcard shared this week, is a souvenir type card with six views of landmarks in the town of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England.  At the left margin on the reverse the card it is identified as “The ‘Famous’ series, Tomkins & Barrett, Swindon."  On the front of the card each landmark is separately identified at the bottom of the picture.  The top row, from the left:  exterior view of the Abbey, Market Cross, and an interior view of the Abbey.  Bottom row, from the left:  Cowbridge House, Charlton Church, and High Street.  If one looks carefully, a very faint X can be on the High Street photo at the lower right.  At the upper right corner is a place for a Halfpenny stamp.  Halfpenny stamps were used between 1870 and 1906, suggesting that this card dates from 1902 when divided backs were introduced in England to 1906.

 

Multi-view cards as souvenirs have been printed as early as the 1880s and are still popular today.  This card is addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Jacques Matenge and has a handwritten note on the back of the card that reads:  “Ingram House, Malmesbury.  The Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. & Mrs. Adyed) wish you the compliments of the season & hope you are all quite well & happy.  You will recognize the views, our house marked X.  Best wishes.” 

 

Malmesbury is a town and civil parish in north Wiltshire, England.  The older part of the town is on a hilltop that had once been the site of an Iron Age fort.  There are several freshwater springs on the hilltop that helped the early settlers.  The Abbey was originally founded in 675 by an Irishman named Maildubh.  The town takes its name from a combination of Maildubh and burh or Maildubh’s fortification which later morphed into Malmesbury.  During medieval times the Abbey became well known as a place of learning. 

 

Some trivia facts of interest, in 1010 there was an early attempt at human flight when a monk, Eilmer of Malmesbury, flew a primitive hang glider from the tower.  He flew over 180 meters or about 590 feet before (crash) landing and breaking both of his legs.  By 1066 when a census, called the Domesday Book, was taken Malmesbury is listed as the first, or most important town, in Wiltshire.  The wooden town walls were replaced by stone walls during the 1100s. 

 

Today Malmesbury is best known for its abbey.  The economy is mostly agriculturally based but also depends on tourism. 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malmesbury

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malmesbury_Abbey

https://worldpostcardday.com/history