Postcards from The Front

Dating from WWI

The majority of this type of glorious embroidered postcards, date from WWI and were sent from the men fighting in France to their wives, girlfriends, and families back home. An estimated ten million embroidered cards were produced during the war years.

Hand embroidered

Perhaps the most surprising thing is that these wonderful little cards were hand embroidered. Sewing the designs for the postcards was a great way for French women to earn some money – and of course help the war effort. The silk embroidery was done on very fine muslin which was then starched and cut into rectangles to be mounted on a cardboard backing sheet.

These postcards were kindly loaned for scanning, by the Deputy Mayor of Brighton and Hove Councillor Ann Norman, and her husband Councillor Ken Norman, from whose family album they were taken.

Comments about this page

  • I know there are a lot of similar postcards in existence as there were huge numbers produced, and many of them will be carrying personal messages from men serving in France to their family members back home, just as my grandfather did during that horrific conflict. They are well preserved because my parents treasured them, as I and the rest of my family now treasure them.

    By Ken Norman (05/09/2010)
  • These cards are so beautiful. I cannot imagine anyone not saving and treasuring them. Thanks to the Councillors Norman for sharing them with us.

    By Iris (07/09/2010)
  • I’m very lucky to have a number of these special postcards that my paternal grandfather sent to my paternal grandmother during WW1. 

    By Donna King (15/10/2017)

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