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EDITORIAL SUMMER 2010The time has come, to think of a rhyme,

We’re now in May so I haven’t much time.

What’s been happening in the exhibition world, since the last Journal came out in the Spring. The most important thing is that the doctors have caught up with one of our joint Editors. Young Fred no less. He went in for a check up, and after taking one look at him they would not let him out again, but insisted he stay in hospital until they could find a slot free in the theatre. This led to a five ‘by-pass’ operation which was carried out successfully and Fred is now back home.

Fred actually spent his Birthday in Hospital and I wrote him a combined ‘Get Well’ and ‘Happy Birthday’ letter, apologising for not sending him cards as they are so expensive nowadays, and excused myself on the grounds if I’m going to pay a lot for cards I’d rather spend the money on cards for my collection which I am sure he would agreed with. I also sent him the words of the Birthday song ‘Happy Birthday to You’ with the suggestion he sings them out loud and clear to the rest of the ward to cheer them all up. I am sure you will all join me in wishing Fred a speedy and complete recovery.

I didn’t know they went up to five by passes, I’ve heard of four but never five before. It will be some time before Fred is about again and he had to miss the Festival of Britain Society Convention on the 10th of April. This is always held in the Festival Hall and is a very friendly get together of folks interested in the Festival of Britain. It is run on different lines to our Convention and is much more laid back. There are no formal displays or talks and people turn up and go as they like. Some of the members are collectors and they take along a few bits of their collections as personal displays. Don Knight could not make it this year, but there were a few Study Group members there George Burr, Don Brookfield and myself.

I had arranged to meet an American White City collector who was over here on holiday to celebrate his engagement. He turned up with his young lady at the Festival of Britain Convention and we had a long chat as although we had corresponded for some years we had never actually met. I had taken along a copy of my last book on the Post Cards of the White City 1908-1914. He was so impressed that he bought a copy to take back with him.

On a sadder note for the first time since Nancy and I first went to the York post card fair in 1992 I decided not to do it this year. Although for the last two years I have split the journey in half by stopping over night at the George in Stamford, I just didn’t feel up to doing the long drive, it’s 245 miles to York from home, but perhaps next year ?

The bad news is, I am now finding it increasingly difficult to walk, although I can still sit in a car and drive all day. My daughter Alison has bought me one of those four wheeled Zimmer frames which includes a seat, and although at the beginning I felt embarrassed using it, now I wouldn’t be without it. It would seem some of us start out in life in a four wheeled carriage and finish up on a four wheeled carriage. Ah well, that’s progress for you.

The good news is, I have had a young American lady student pay me five visits (with more pencilled in) to go through my Japan-British Exhibition cards. Kirsten Ziomek has already got her Master of Arts degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in Japanese History and is now going for her Doctorate. She is over here on a six month visit paid for by a grant from the Pacific Rim Research Foundation. She speaks and writes fluent Japanese and spent two years in Japan teaching English, plus another year in Tokyo conducting research on her subject.

I had told her about post card fairs and on the 25 of April she went to Bloomsbury. I had that week sold her a copy of the coloured Valentine’s card of the Ainu Bear Killer for £2-00 which is what I thought it was worth. At Bloomsbury she saw two copies of the same card, which is not scarce, at different dealers, each priced at £8-00. I did manage to get to Philatex and saw a third Bear Killer card for £7-00, so to know of three in a week, goes to prove they are not scarce. The Picture Postcard Values 2010 list Japan-British cards at £2-00, which is what I paid for the last copy I bought of the Bear Killer, but it did have his autograph, and a message stating the Bear Killer had signed it.

The Editors.

Exhibition Study Group 2010 17

Exhibition Study Group Convention 2010

Dear members,The Exhibition Study Group has been having a weekend convention for the past 23 years.

These have been held at many different venues around the country, from Portsmouth to Glasgow, with many of those who came to first one at York still attending.

This year on the weekend of the 9 & 10 October we will be meeting at the site of the Crystal Palace in South London, This is a very good venue, easy to get to by car or train, the hotel has just been refurbished and the cost is very reasonable.

Over the years members have given a display of items from their collections, we have six display boards which take twelve sheets each. You do not have to fill all of them, but it gives you a chance to show what you collect. Other members may have items to sell and you could expand your collection.

We start on the Saturday morning with a short A.G.M. at 10. o’clock with displays starting at around 11 o’clock, we have a short break at 1 o’clock, restart at 2 and go on until 4.30. In the evening we sit down for dinner and wine. On Sunday morning we start at 10 o'clock and finish at around 1 o’clock. If you can not make the full weekend we would like to see you on either day.

If you would like to come you can contact The Lodge, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Ledrington Road, London. SE19 2BB. phone 020 8778 0131, please mention The Study Group, and let Bill Tonkin or me know.

Good collecting Don R. Knight Hon Sec.

Don Knight sent in a copy of a cutting from the Daily Chronicle published just before the 1924 Mount Everest Expedition left for Tibet.

POST FROM PEAK OF EVEREST.How to Receive Letter From the Summit.

SPECIAL STAMPS.

An avalanche of an entirely new character threatens members of the Mount Everest Expedition, which leaves England on Friday.

They have had a beautiful stamp of special design printed, and the “Daily Chronicle” is authorised to announce that anyone desiring to possess one direct from the top of Mount Everest may do so for a couple of pennies. The postal avalanche has already begun.

Captain J. B. L. Noel, the special photographer of the expedition, gives the following details of the plan. Anyone who wants one of the stamps, he explains, must send a plain postcard on which he has written his name and address, sealed in an envelope containing two penny stamps and marked “4 Everest Stamp”

200 MILES BY PONY.These should he addressed to Captain Noel at Empire House, Piccadilly, London, W.I. They

will catch up the party long before they reach the top, and the cards will be posted from the highest point direct to the addressees, the two penny stamps paying expenses.

Each will travel 200 miles from the expedition’s headquarters to the nearest post-office, being carried by Tibetans on ponies.

The Stamp is of rich blue, with a mountain peak standing out in pure white, and bears the title of the expedition There is a tiny picture of an explorer’s camp in the foreground.

Latest news on Fred Peskett.

Fred in now out of hospital and on the road to recovery. So much so that he decided to hobble to a local charity shop to see if there was anything of interest. They have taken so many bits of vein out of his legs to re-cycle elsewhere, leaving him a bit tottery. There was something, a small brass purse, with a small ‘see through’ picture of the 1851 Great Exhibition mounted on a part of a butterfly

18 Exhibition Study Group 2010

wing so you got a glimpse of the iridescent blue scales on the wing. A beautiful little purse. Pity about the clasp holding it shut which seemed to be damaged and would not open. He bought it for £60, and when he got home fiddled about with the catch and eventually managed to open it. Out fell an 1851 gold sovereign. I tell you, if that man fell in the pit, he would come out smelling of violets.

Japan British Exhibition London 1910by

Don Knight

The Japan British Exhibition was held on what had been the site of the Franco British Exhibition in 1908 at Shepherds Bush. This area was then known as The Great White City named by the millions of visitors who had visited the exhibitions in 1908 and 1909. It opened on Saturday 14 May 1910 and closed on Saturday 29 October 1910.

With the influence of seeing Japanese people and the changes made on the exhibition site, more than eight million visitors went to the Japan British Exhibition, Imre Kiralfy was still the director general of the exhibition, and worked with the Japanese committee and designers to help make the exhibition a success.

Three Native Villages were built, Uji Village the Aino Village and the Formosa Village. The Canadian Pavilion became a Wrestling Hall, a Japanese Garden was built the behind the Court of Honour. This is still there to be visited today in 2010.

The Formosa Village was a interesting place to visit, the natives had been one of the fiercest and intractable races on the globe. This was the description of a well known traveller of the natives of Formosa prior to the occupation of the island in 1895. These turbulent and warlike people had still retained their old warlike spirit. Their favourite occupation had been head hunting, a man’s position in the tribe was determined by the number of strands of hair pendants hung from the scabbard on their sword. Six strands of hair represented one human head, some weapons owned by Formosan Natives at the Great White City had from sixty to over a hundred such gruesome souvenirs.

The warlike dwellers from the mountain areas of Formosa resided in their own peculiar native huts built in the Formosa Village. The visitors could stand and watch them in their occupations and sports. The war dances and mimic battles showed them adept in the use of the spear and the bow and arrow. The visit to their quarters proved to educate the visitor of the manners and customs of these decidedly peculiar people.

In 2010 research has come up with information that a baby boy was born on the 31st August 1910 at the Japan British Exhibition Wood Lane, Father Keriji Kavgawa, Mother Warashion, Boy name Hidehiro.

Formosa Tea House. This was most wonderfully decorated, it had banqueting rooms decorated with wisteria and Japanese lanterns. It was here that the visitors could sip the Formosa Oolong tea in a truly Oriental surroundings, served by smart native waiters from the Far East.

Ainu and Formosan Natives who came over to appear at the 1910 Japan-British Exhibition.

Don Knight sent me a copy of the 1910 Birth Certificate of a child born at the 1910 Japan-British Exhibition on the 31 August, to one of the Ainu women. I showed this to Kirsten Ziomek, who took one look at it and said “how strange, they named their child English Exhibition”. (in Japanese) Kirsten was able to tell me more, that in fact two children were born in the Japanese village. She gave me a copy of an extract from the Osaka Mainichi (Daily) Newspaper December 15, 1910 in an article looking back at the Japan-British Exhibition. The article reads “At that time two little boys were born, the Ainu boy was named Hidehiro (English Exhibition) and the Barbarian (Formosan) boy was named Hieihiro (Japan Exhibition).” The translation was done by Kirsten.


Copy of a certified copy of the Entry of Birth (birth certificate) owned by Don Knight


Once Kirsten realised that copies of birth and death certificates could be obtained, she ferreted around and got copies of the Formosan baby and also the death certificate of a Formosan man who

died during the exhibition. She visited the cemetery where he was buried but was unable to track down the unmarked grave. It is known from a report appearing in The Times on 16

April 1910 that the Ainu and Formosan people came from Japan in the liner Kagamaru which arrived in the Albert Docks on the previous day. The history of the Ainu is very similar to the North American Indians. As Japan became modernised they were gradually driven off the mainland to the island of Yezo. Although the Japanese Government took steps to protect and preserve them, by 1910 there had been no increase in their numbers since 1882. Five men, four women and two children aged 2 and 10 years old represented the race on board the Kagamaru.The women are tattooed about the mouth and arms. It was

reported they formed a picturesque group on board, taking no interest in their new surroundings until an attempt was made to photograph one of them, who displayed some alarm at the attention this caused.In the Formosan contingent there were 21 men and four

women and when they were trans-shipped at Moji, they were suffering from sea and homesickness and had to be persuaded to continue the journey. Two of the new arrivals were contracted to provide the attraction of a wedding at the village before the end of the season.The names of two of the Formosan women appearing in the

Formosan Hamlet at the Japan-British exhibition are known, Baruharu-Chaco, and Rugayo. Kirsten informed me one of the men Ruji Suruchan an agricultural labourer died from shock from a perforated gastric ulcer on the 25 October at the exhibition, when he was only eighteen years old. He was buried in Hammersmith Cemetery in an un-marked grave. The names of most of the Formosan men are also known from post cards bearing printed titles, although this is not completely reliable as at least one card has the wrong name, and one portrait is given two different names on different postcards.

Names of 23 of the Formosan Natives.

1 Api Patogaton.2 Bachago Bagaban.3 Bachio Bajaijan.4 Baruharu-Chaco. (Female)5 Buchaburi Salangai (This is the same picture as Rechabury.)6 Chaibai Pujajon.7 Chavaja Cojun.8 Chigul Ruragan.9 Dajibaka Sapai. (This is the same picture as Jabibaka Sapai.)10 Jabibaka Sapai. (This is the same picture as Dajibaka Sapai.)11 Jubo Bikap.12 Osugazan Pajajun.13 Pakajamoto Ruji.14 Pasuriba Kojugi.


15 Pitaraji Chokarn.16 Rechabury. (This is the same picture as Buchaburi Salangai.)17 Rugayo. (Female)18 Ruji Suruchan.19 Rusubaba Arapai.20 Rusuyajan Bajajim.21 Tibo Salongai (Chief.)22 Togachi Rumuchi.23 Tugie Kalowan, (Chief.)

One thing leads to another.by

Bill Tonkin.

A couple of weeks ago I received two post cards from Brian Lund with a request, could I please identify the cards, which a reader had sent in to the Picture Postcard Monthly. This I was able to do, they were of the 1914 International Rubber Exhibition held in the Agricultural Hall. He sent a stamped and addressed envelope to return them direct to the collector Peter Crosier who lived fairly near to me, so I phoned him and suggested I deliver them back to him, which I did. One of the cards I did not have and as he did not wish to keep the cards when he knew what they were, he very kindly let me keep it.

I finished up spending over two hours with Peter, going through his collection of Crystal Palace post cards. He had so many I had not seen before that I asked if he would mind letting me borrow his collection to study in depth, which he agreed to do. I had the collection for just over a week and was able to record details of over 80 new Crystal Palace post cards. He had managed to acquire a lot of material that originally belonged to a Mr John England who was the scenic designer and head of the staff that painted all the scenes for the Festival of Empire in 1911.

One lot of cards he had were of the familiar Campbell Grey post cards but in a giant size measuring 10 by 12 inches. He had seven of them which I have never seen before. They had the standard Campbell Grey back but much enlarged in keeping with the size.

Peter also had many photographs of John England’s staff painting scenery ready for 1911, taken I imagine by Russell or Everitt. Out of this visit came an article ‘Invasion’ in this journal.

Cancellations of the Festival of Empire Imperial Exhibitionby

Kenneth Tonkin.

The Exhibition was held at the Crystal Palace from the 10th May to the 28th October 1911 and a full range of postal facilities was provided by the Post Office. A number of special cancellations were issued for use on mail posted at the exhibition and these are detailed below.

Duplex flag handstamp numbered 1 to 6

Handstamps 1 to 3 were issued on the 10th May and were used throughout the period of the exhibition and are fairly common. Handstamps 5 and 6 were issued on the 10th May but were never used and no examples are known.


Handstamp number 4 was issued on the 8th May, two days earlier than the other handstamps, but the reason for this is unknown. Its use has only been recorded during May with the earliest known being the 15th on an envelope addressed to George King shown below.

Large double framed circular handstamps numbered 7 and 8.Both handstamps were issued on the 10th May. Proof impressions dated the 9th May include

a time, whereas actual cancellations omit this. Handstamp number 7 was only used on parcels and registered mail and the certificates of posting for these items. Use of this handstamp was extremely limited and examples are rare.


Certificate of posting of a registered packet with the No. 7 hand stamp.

Certificate of posting of an un- registered parcel with the No. 7 hand stamp

Registered cover with three No. 7 hand stamps.


Until recently it was thought that handstamp number 8 was a reserve cancellation that was never used. However two recently discovered covers show this was not the case. The first is a registered cover sent to George King, posted on the 28th October, the last day of the exhibition.

The second cover was sent from Herne Bay on the 18th September ‘Post Restante’ to the Festival of Empire B O (Borough Post Office) where it was back stamped with the number 8 handstamp dated the 19th September. The cover is marked ‘Not Called For’ and initialled. It appears that the Post Office held the envelope for one month and then returned it to the sender on the 19th October. At this time the envelope received a number 1 flag cancellation and number 8 circular handstamp, together with a Norwood S E circular date stamp. Needless to say the sender of this envelope was George King.


Back of the 18 September cover, back stamped with the number 8 handstamp dated the 19th September. The cover is marked ‘Not Called For’

Even Later news on Fred Peskett.

Fred went for a check-up after his operation, and they whipped him straight back into hospital again. This time with fluid in the lung cavity. Fortunately this was not too serious and they were able to treat it with pills, and he is now back home again. I went down to see him (9 June) and spent most of the day there, and saw the little brass purse. I did not see the 1851 gold sovereign, he’d flogged that for £325.

I have mentioned earlier in this quarters Journal of a visit I paid to a Peter Crosier, a Croydon post card collector, this is a reproduction of a programme he owns of a Brock Fire Work Spectacular held on 3 June 1909 and illustrated with some post cards Peter has of the event.

Programme of Novel FireworksTo be fired on the

Village Green, Crystal Palace.THURSDAY, June 3rd, 19O9.

1. Signal Maroon. 14. Geometrical Device. The Saxon2. Novel Illumination of the Village, Squares.

Illustrating the Seasons,-Winter, 15. Salvo of Coloured MagnesiumSummer, and Autumn. Shells.

3. Salvo of Coloured Shells. 16. Colossal Display of Diamond4. Batteries of Coloured Roman Mines.

Candles. 17. Devices. The Stars of India.5. Living Fireworks, the Sword versus 18. Salvo of Magnesium Shells.

Bayonet. 19. Batteries of Electric Spray Roman6. Salvo of Shells, Coloured Comets. Candles.7. Batteries of Radium Roman 20. Salvo of Shells, Electric Meteors

Candles. with Jewelled heads.8. Devices. The Chromatrope Wheels. 21. Batteries of Iridescent Bubble


9. Salvo of Radiating Bombs. Roman Candles.10. Batteries of Jewelled Cluster Roman 22. Device. The Juggernaut Car.

Candles. 23. Salvo of Jewelled Spray Shells.11. Living Fireworks. The Hornpipe 24. Device. The Avalanche of Snow.

Competition. 25. Batteries of Lightning Flash12. Salvo of Shells, Liquid Rubies. Roman Candles.13. Batteries of Pearls of Light Roman 26. The Fairyland Glimpse.

Candles.______________________________________________

Spectacular Fire Drama“INVASION”

Or, “A Battle of the Future.”Invented and Produced by C. T. BROCK and CO.

______________________________________________

Synopsis.

The scene represents a quiet Surrey Village where a number of Territorials are encamped. It is drawing towards the end of a bright summer afternoon. The villagers are gathered together with their wives and children on the village green to witness the Territorials drill. They are also to see the first trials of a newly invented gun which, it is claimed, will make invasion by airships and aeroplanes impossible.

While they are waiting the arrival of the Officer in command the business of the village, proceeds. The mill is seen to be busy and the miller’s men are transporting sacks of flour from the mill to the Inn barn preparatory to loading the vans for despatch early the following morning.

Gathered on the Green near the Inn are the Territorials, some of them listening to an old . Chelsea Pensioner who refights his battles.

Interest in the old man’s story is broken by the arrival of donkey carts with costers and their wives and children out for the day.

While the men attend to the donkeys the coster party afford amusement to the crowd by their dancing and singing, after which they are invited by some of the Territorials to partake of some refreshment, but as they insist upon entering the Inn with their children, the Village Constable, in full knowledge of the latest Acts of Parliament, intercepts them, and the ladies present him with their babies and enter the Inn, leaving the Constable the butt of the local wits.

The costers with their families and donkeys being refreshed, move on. At the same time there appears on the road a Gipsy caravan.

It will be noticed that accompanying the Gipsies is a mysterious individual who is disowned by the Gipsy Captain, who repeatedly drives him off.

Meanwhile a Suffragette bicycles on to the Green bearing a banner with a Strange Device. She endeavours to urge her cause and suffers a great deal of chaff and rough play from the villagers and Territorials and she retaliates as well as she can. She is eventually persuaded to go away by the Village Constable.

Ultimately the Constable catches sight of the mysterious “hanger on” to the Gipsy troupe.At this moment the Territorial Officer arrives. The “Assembly” is sounded and the men fall

in. They are then put through the drill with the machine gun and the new aerial gun. While the drill is proceeding the Constable who has been watching the mysterious stranger observes him taking notes. He seizes him and conducts him to the Officer by whose command he is searched, and incriminating papers and a revolver being found upon him, the spy is accordingly, secured in the Village lock-up. Subsequently the local firemen and Village Constable are shown by one of Brock’s employees the method of using aerial Fire Alarm Signals. The apparatus being duly installed, some signals are fired. The drill being over, the gipsies attempt to earn a little money by a short entertainment, after which the crowd disperses in various directions.


TWO HOURS ARE SUPPOSED TO ELAPSE.

The Church bell rings for Evensong, and, as darkness sets in lights appear in the houses of the Village, and the Church is illuminated. Some of the villagers enter the Church, while those less.-seriously disposed and the Territorials carouse at the Inn.

The service in the Church having finished, the villagers disperse to their homes, and as the evening draws on the revellers at the Inn go home. The lights are gradually extinguished in the houses and the Constable remaining on duty after a long and arduous day, who shall blame him for resting for a while on the bench outside the Inn.

Whilst he meditates, the spy, finding that all is quiet, proceeds to make his escape, which he does just as the Church bell chimes the hour of midnight. He goes to the middle of the Green and peers anxiously into the sky, and, being apparently satisfied that his search is satisfactory, he draws from his boot a secreted portfire, which he lights and. waves in a peculiar manner. The Church chimes, however, have awakened the Constable from his meditations, and, upon seeing the spy, he creeps cautiously up to him, and eventually succeeds in rendering him senseless. Seizing the portfire, he lights the alarm signal, and the cry of “Invasion!” breaks the silence of the night. Just at this moment balloons bearing searchlights, pilots of an invading fleet of warships, pass across the sky.

The alarm is given, the Territorials rush out from the encampment buckling on their accoutrements, windows are thrown open, women and children scream, and as the aeroplanes and dirigible balloons pass towards London on their errand of destruction, they drop high explosives promiscuously on the village. The Territorials, who by this time have mounted their machine gun and aerial gun, have improvised a fort with bags of flour. A gigantic aeroplane appears near the Bridge, and immediately a body of invading soldiers take up their position and commence an attack. With a deafening crash the Church tower, with its peal of bells, that has stood since the time of the Conqueror, falls through the roof and the sacred edifice catches fire. As the aeroplanes continue to arrive in the distance, the invaders increase in numbers and. the village is rapidly becoming a heap of ruins as one after the other the principal buildings become demolished. The Mill, the Inn and the Barn are on fire, and blazing furiously, the women are running, with their children screaming, not knowing where to go for shelter from the destruction which is raining on them from all sides. The Territorials, many of them seriously wounded, gallantly defend the village, and endeavour to drive back the invaders. Some of them have crossed the Bridge, but as their opponents gather in force they are compelled to give way and retire to their improvised fort. Before doing this, however, a young brave rushes forward and successfully plants and fires a mine underneath the Bridge. The Territorials then rush forward with bayonets fixed, completely annihilating the enemy, with ringing cheers for KING and COUNTRY.

Post cards of the Brock firework show ‘Invasion’.

(No. 1.) (No. 2.)


(No. 3.) (No. 4.)

(No. 5.)

(1.) No title. Invasion. (Cannon in centre firing at night, soldiers with small gun at right.) Back inverted.

(2.) No title. Invasion. (Group of soldiers at attention, brick bridge at right.)(3.) No title. Invasion. (Soldiers raising their hats on rifles up in the air, sand bags in

foreground at night.)(4.) No title. Invasion. (Cannon pointing upwards on right, and multi barrelled gun to

left. Back inverted.)(5.) No title. Invasion. (Cannon in centre behind sand bags, and four wheeled cart on

right at night.)

The Village, which extends a length of about 1,000 feet, has been painted by Mr John England and Mr Herbert G. Wallis. These gentlemen certainly deserve the highest praise for so magnificent a work. To Mr J. M. East (stage manager) and Mr P. S. George (Manager to Mr Brock) thanks are due for so energetically helping to perfect what is one of the most remarkable spectacles of the kind ever seen in this country.

In addition to the gigantic Spectacular Fire Drama on the Football Ground on Thursdays, there will be a colossal novel Firework Display on the Terrace on Saturdays. As usual, Messrs Brock have been able to include in their Saturday’s programme an extraordinary number of novelties, several on topical Subjects. The main set piece consists of a colossal piece of pyrotechny, 200 yards in length, representing a vividly realistic naval battle between three Dreadnoughts and an attacking fleet of pre-dreadnought battleships; torpedo boats and submarines. These latter craft will be seen moving, endeavouring to reach their mammoth opponents with their deadly missile. Amid the deafening thunder of the battleships and the rattle of the quickfirers the engorgement closes with the total or partial destruction of the pre-Dreadnought battleships and the annihilation of many of the smaller vessels.

Many novel mechanical devices will be shown, such as the blossoming flower bud, the snakes and butterflies, the mammoth gyroscope wheel (250 feet in circumference), and the Mexican marvel a wondrous scheme of flashing light. Living fireworks have been brought up to date by a Salomé dance in fire, in which the undulating movements of the celebrated exponents are faithfully reproduced.

In aerial effects, as was demonstrated on Friday, the 28th May last, before the scientists assembled at the Crystal Palace for the Chemical Congress, extraordinary progress has been made. Many marvellous colourings, combinations in effects, weird, indescribable flashings and scintillations


will be shewn to fully maintain the prestige of these wonderful and unexcelled world-renowned feasts of fire.

A Post Card Storyby

Bill Tonkin

This is a story that has literally gone the rounds. It is written on the backs of twelve Japan-British postcards by an unknown young lady who visited the exhibition with her friend Alvin. Each card is numbered (in Roman numbers) from 1 to 12 and were posted individually to an address in Darlington from Croydon all at 4.15 on the 13 July 1910.

The set of twelve cards stayed together and eventually came into the hands of Stanley Hunter who wrote an article on them published in the Picture Postcard Monthly. I can remember reading the article, and thought I had it filed away, but I cannot find it. From Stanley the cards passed into the possession of Andrew Brooks, and when he sold his exhibition collection at auction, were bought by a dealer Sevilla Post Cards. I think Jean Cullen was asking £20 for the set of twelve cards. As I already had all the cards I was not interested at that time in paying that much just for the story on the backs.

Then out of the blue a producer of radio programmes got in touch with me. He wanted to produce a programme about messages on the back of Franco-British post cards. In the event he and a colleague spent three days at my home, reading and making notes of relevant messages on post cards. I had told them about the set that was still available, and we came to an agreement that for £20 I would purchase the cards for their use but when they were finished the cards became my property. So the cards came into my possession at no expense to myself.

I remember they told me they had gone to a school of acting to get the students to read the messages, to get different voices. They also interviewed Don Knight and both our voices appear on the programme which was broadcast in 2008 for the Centenary of the Franco-British Exhibition.

This then is the story told on the backs of twelve Japan-British Exhibition post cards.

Number IWe went to the exhibition on Monday July 11 and this is the first place one enters. The

passage from Uxbridge Road is converted into a series of beautiful tableaux representing Japan in Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter, beginning with Winter.Number II

After winter, one enters another section, and one’s eye is delighted by a burst of delicate spring colouring and cherry blossom. It is really beautifully done, & these dismal cards (the best sold) convey no impression of the beauty of the real thing.Number III

From Spring the transition to Summer is imperceptible. Singing birds are concealed amongst the excellently imitated foliage & the illusion is as perfect as art can make it.Number IV

Besides these real and old looking bridges (Not crude as in this highly coloured view!) there are little gardens and dwarfed trees, which are as charming, 100 & more years old, some of them.Number V

I am not quite sure which of these Autumn ones comes first! The Autumn tints are lovely, and so well imitated & contrived. After Autumn one goes through rooms devoted to stereoscopes and photo’s of Japan in all stages & seasons.


Winter Spring

Summer Autumn

Number VIAfter the stereoscopic rooms, one comes to exhibitions of naval and military matters of all

sorts, models of ships, etc., & armour & medical outfits for war. Then to the anthropological, chemical, medical & geological Sections with nice skulls & aboriginal bones & flint implements, bottles full of chemical compounds, which didn’t interest me, medical cases full of microbes, mosquitoes, guinea-worms, trypanosomes, elephantiasis & all sorts of interesting objects & coal & such stuff, sulphur & various other geological & mining products.Number VII

We next emerged into this old familiar scene. In the govt exhibits. There were some fascinating finger prints of murderesses from which Alwin tore me away by main force, with much amusement. We went and had tea at Lyons first thing.Number VIII

After having had dinner we took a tour round all the waterways in a motor boat. How it reminded me of Venice! This fountain & Cascade is exquisitely illuminated in colours at night as you will doubtless remember. This picture follows in due order, but before going on this water we did various things first.Number IX

Alwin kindly got us each a bath-chair so that we should not get too tired. We went first to look at Mitsui & Co.’s exhibits, & at the map of Japan modelled on a large table, showing the enormous number of mines & districts owned by this “Octopus of the East”, as they are called. After this we looked at most beautiful china, Satsuma & Cloisonné and then went round the charming Japanese Gardens and on to the floating Islands. How beautifully the Japanese understand expressing a mood in their garden-artistry! Every tree, nay every stone has its own value in the landscape, most carefully planned & thought out.Number X

I am so sorry to hear about the dear little Kitt! How very unfortunate we are with our cats & kittens! But I was sure it would get lost someday, from the free way in which it was allowed to run about wherever it liked! I suppose it has not come back. If I get that one from Mrs S. I shall have a little collar with my name & address on, like a dogs.Number XI


We did not go on the Flip Flap of blessed memory! but we (Alwin & I) enjoyed hugely our ride on the Scenic Railway again. Its the most delightful 3d worth I know! We had the front seat, which is extra thrilling, A says after this that he doesn’t believe I’ve any nerves. I told him I was prepared for thrills then, but I am not prepared to be nearly run into in an old growler, by taxi cabs or motors, or be driven in hansoms with drunken drivers in the midst of motor traffic. A motor itself, of any sort is able to hold its own without accident, usually. But cabs (4 wheelers) I hate! They are too slow to get out of the way of a fast motor.

Post Card number XINumber XII

Wasn’t it curious, we met, quite suddenly, Eline & Doreen Kitching, & May Gawan-Taylor! They were having a lovely time on the various mechanical devices. The Wiggle-Woggle (the latest) is a horrible thing! I can’t think how anybody can even contemplate being shaken & bumped down a zig zag incline, into a veritable jelly!! It consists of round baskets containing 5 or 6 people, which run down a slope through a series of curved barriers, reversing the direction each time!!! The result is a most terrible shaking of the occupants, till not only men’s but ladies hats fall off! Horrible!!

The End


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