Shere is well know as one of the most photographed and prettiest villages in England. Nestled in the foot of the Surrey Downs and this seems to have been the case since photography began.
Starting in the 1900's, there were a few photographers who were able to spread this word through a new medium, the POSTCARD. Originated in Germany, in the late 1800's.The Royal Mail first allowed the sending of privately-produced illustrated cards (picture postcards) in September 1894 and figures reached 20 million by 1910. A couple of well know compnies were leading the way by bringing pictures of villages and towns around the world. Leading the way were a couple of large photographic companies, Frith and Judges, names that appear stamped on many postcards.
Local photographer, James Edward Percy Lloyd born in Shere and who contributed greatly to the postcard development in the UK.
James Edward Percy Lloyd - 1865-1946 |
Percy Lloyd, Albury's postmaster and village photographer, first came across picture postcards by chance in about 1900 during a visit to Germany. By 1903 his photo coverage had penetrated West Sussex, Berkshire, and also Margate where the family holidayed. into the 1920s, but Percy did not resume volume production.
His son Stanley left the RAF in 1921, joining his father a year later in setting up a photographic studio and camera shop in Guildford's upper High Street at number 4. Percy retired to Selwyn, 42 York Road, Guildford but the new venture kept him active until his death on July 6, 1946, aged 81. Stanley continued the business until 1969, trading as Lloyd's Photographic Centre. It moved in 1954 to 144 High Street, later re-numbered 156.
The studio with its one-time post office still stands in Church Lane, Albury. The big first-floor north-facing window lit the studio, and the post office was to the right of the front door.
Its wall clock, inscribed "Lloyd, Albury Post Office" now hangs in the village hall.
1247 Lloyd, Albury postcard |
Historian and antiquarian Dr George C. Williamson of Guildford wrote in 1924 of the postcard's first popular reception when issued to German troops in the Franco-German War of 1870. He concludes: "The only real advantage that the world has ever derived from war was the introduction of the postcard." Percy would have liked that.
Cards marked "Lloyd Albury" are highly sought after today. They reflect the Edwardian tranquillity of our still beautiful part of England.
Extract taken from GET SURREY
READ MORE | PHOTOS
Shere - hidden gems in time
In the centre of this picturesque Surrey village is 'The Square', one of the most photographed parts of Shere.
St James's Church (built in 1190), situated in 'Church Lane' and overlook 'The Square'.
The church has a Norman tower and its lychgate was designed by the British architect, Edward Landseer Lutyens in 1901. The church is one of the attractions on the Pilgrim's Way and is famous for the story of the anchoress, Christine Carpenter, who was enclosed in a cell within the North wall of the church for three years.
Every postcard tells a story, a 'snapshot in time' that gives us clues of what life might have been like.
The postcard above shows a couple of men standing at the door of 'The White Horse', whilst the 'rag and bone man takes some time out to rest, along with his trusted companion. Up towards, 'Shere Lane', you can make out other travellers/business men with their cart.
Fast forwarding half a decade, the postcard below shows 'Middle Street' in the late fiftee's. On closer inspection, reveals a couple sitting in the back of their van, taking a break (outside the now, "Lucky Duck" tea room)
I created this page to illustrate just how much detail can be found, by observing the detail within the postcards cards, you can often find hidden gems - The postcard below uncovered a couple of details that I had initially missed:
The scene is looking from 'St. James Church' towards the Square.
The top zoom, shows a man peering over the top of the motor car but also shows people going around in their daily life as the bottom highlight shows a mother, leaving the shop with her pram and a lady walking away away around the corner down 'Lower Street'.
Shere - Taking a step back in time
Above: front of the postcard and, below, the rear:
Postdated July 18th 1910 - The card, written by a young girl to her Auntie and Uncle, gives us a glimpse of her village in Shere.
Dating postcards
Even a postmarked postcard may be misleading as it might well have laid unsold or unused for several years before being mailed.
Here is a guide for dating postcards:
Francis Frith postcards reached the following serial numbers: | Judges postcards reached the following serial numbers as follows: | ||
18521 – 1886 | 55341 – 1906 | 79014 – 1926 | |
19500 – 1887 | 57201 – 1907 | 79313 – 1927 | No. 7400 in 1921 |
20475 – 1888 | 59460 – 1908 | 80652 – 1928 | No. 9347 in 1927 |
21450 – 1889 | 61298 – 1909 | 81599 – 1929 | No. 12971 in 1930 |
22421 – 1890 | 62187 – 1910 | 82990 – 1930 | No. 15323 in 1932 |
28140 – 1891 | 63077 – 1911 | 83725 – 1931 | No. 22430 in 1939 |
29865 – 1892 | 64058 – 1912 | 84911 – 1932 | |
31590 – 1893 | 65149 – 1913 | 85424 – 1933 | From the late 1950s, Judges began to produce |
33315 – 1894 | 66516 – 1914 | 86015 – 1934 | colour cards. These cards are numbered from |
35040 – 1895 | 67714 – 1915 | 86471 – 1935 | C1 to at least C29312. |
37121 – 1896 | 67868 – 1916 | 87164 – 1936 | |
38962 – 1897 | 67894 – 1917 | 87845 – 1937 | |
40804 – 1898 | 68020 – 1918 | 88252 – 1938 | |
42852 – 1899 | 68796 – 1919 | 88855 – 1939 | |
44900 – 1900 | 69357 – 1920 | 88958 – 1940 | |
46320 – 1901 | 69918 – 1921 | ||
48082 – 1902 | 71721 – 1922 | ||
49125 – 1903 | 73333 – 1923 | ||
51142 – 1904 | 75416 – 1924 | ||
53180 – 1905 | 76667 – 1925 |
- No. 7400 in 1921
- No. 9347 in 1927
- No. 12971 in 1930
- No. 15323 in 1932
- No. 22430 in 1939