Until the Second World War, the leading name in British
postcards was Raphael Tuck & Sons.
Together, we’ve looked at several Tucks’ Postcards in my
collection. Most of them pertain to King
George V and Queen Mary, well, because that’s what interests me. Though Tuck & Sons did produce a good
many royalty-themed cards, their inventory covered almost any popular or
fashionable subject matter.
Let’s take a look at this card depicting Queen Mary
arranging a vase of flowers—carnations (which she really didn’t care for) and
what appears to be lilies. What I like
about this image is that though it’s clearly staged, it tries to give the appearance
of being candid and casual. Her Majesty
is dressed in a loose, fur-trimmed, lace robe as opposed to the formal gowns
and jewels which she usually wore for portraits. Giving a soft smile, it’s clear that Queen
Mary was trying to look as informal as possible, showing that she understood
what the photographer was trying to accomplish.
She is wearing the jewels that she usually donned to knock around the
palace: a stack of diamond, gold and
ruby bangles which she particularly favored, her favorite pearl earrings and a
tight pearl choker worn at the middle of her throat.
The front of the card simply says, “HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY.” And credit for the photo is given as “Camera Photography
by E.O. HOPPÉ.
The reverse reads:
Along the edge…
Copyright, London Printed in England ROYAL PORTRAIT SERIES
Raphael Tuck & Sons
“REAL PHOTOGRAPH” Postcard No.
3742
And, along the top…
TUCK’S POST CARD
CARTE POSTALE
H.M. QUEEN MARY – One of her happiest portraits taken at
Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty is the
only daughter of the late Duke and Duchess of Teck and was married to King
George July 6th, 1893.
Crowned at Westminster Abbey, June 22nd, 1911.
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