ONE of Southport’s most prolific postcard collectors has just received a valuation on his extensive collection from experts Warwick and Warwick.

Sandgrounder John Tate has been adding to his haul of cards for decades and estimates he has more than 800 in his possession.

Although unwilling to reveal their value, he did say it came as a “surprise”.

Mr Tate told LookBack: “Prices vary from postcard to postcard.

“People from all over the country - and the world - had postcards after 1870.

“Some of the most popular postcards were the artist’s postcards, where they signed their signature on the picture and it is transposed into a postcard.

“But really it’s dependent on the type and state of the card, and the type of subject.”

Pictured above is In the Swim by Mabel Lucie Attwell, a beautifully realised illustration that contains a drop down selection of photographed Southport scenes.

The date in the bottom corner indicates it was created in 1837, but it was during the inter-war years that these images enjoyed their widest popularity.

John said: “She was a real artist of children’s drawings.

“She did illustrate books and going back years used to do a Mabel Lucie Attwell calendar which was very well known in the day.”

Produced in a similar vein is LB Martin’s work, entitled Just Arrived.

The card fits with the mid-twentieth century penchant for amusing seaside images.

On this occasion a well-to-do couple have arrived at Southport beach, complete with luggage and sports equipment, and appear to be peering earnestly in search of breaking waves.

It’s an image that could be accurately replicated today.

Moving into slightly more risque territory is the colourful picture showing a gentile couple strolling through the sand dunes.

All around are courting pairs hidden among the sand and marram grass, as the moon hovers above the Irish Sea.

The catchline asserts that, ‘a day or two in Southport, makes us want a little bit more’, which, in the context, could be taken to mean any number of things.

But one of John’s favourite cards was sent by serving WW2 soldiers to a class of school children.

John said: “The card was sent from the soldiers to the children of a particular school.

“In those years, smoking was encouraged and the pupils at this school had collected cigarettes for the troops and sent them out.

“A very hard to come by card and an unusual one - just to think that the children provided cigarettes!”

Which goes to show, it’s not always about the picture.

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