Hertfordshire Genealogy: Postcards of Hertfordshire Pubs circa 1910: Real Photographs

The cards described on this page are mainly real photographs, often faded, on postcards, often with no title or publisher information. Some may have been taken as snapshots by someone who spent some time visiting local public houses (by bicycle?). They had been glued into a scrapbook, and had later been roughly removed leaving a lot of paper residues on the back. A few years ago about 20 cards were individually put up for sale on eBay - often unidentified beyond the name of the pub where this was visible in the photograph. Some of those that were clearly identified were snapped up at high prices - but I succeeded in purchasing 14, mainly those with little or no identity information. By removing the paper backing I discovered that some had the name of the pub or a village or hamlet on the back in almost unreadable handwriting. In some cases the pub could be identified because the name of the licensee could be read from the sign over the door. All were posted on my web site with requests for information where there were still uncertainties.

By May 2007 all had a pub name, and their town/village/hamlet had been identified. They were probably collected between 1910 and 1914.

A street scene including the Anchor, Puckeridge, in the middle distance. It was published by Smith, stationer, Puckeridge. Miss Sarah Ann Smith is listed as the stationer in the 1912 Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire, which shows George Joslen and the Anchor P.H.

A postcard of Widford Village, "Looking Down" with an unnamed public house on the left and a large farm barn beyond. A sketch in Hunsdon & Widford shows that it is the Bell.

The Bull, selling Pryor, Reid & Co Ltd Ales Stout and Porter. This is at Bull Plain, Hertford, and is illustrated in Hertford (Archive Photographs)

The Crown, Ley Green, Kings Walden. It sells W & S Lucas Hitchin Ales and the name Frederick Simpk... can be seen over the door. A Mrs Anne Simpkins is listed at the Crown P. H. in the 1912 Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire. Frederick Charles Simkins is listed in 1914.

The George and Dragon, Bennington, with a crowd of children in their Sunday best outside. The name Willian XXXXXX can be seen over the door, and William Snoxall is listed as a beer retailer in the 1912 Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire. The card was published by C. Kitchener, Post Office, Bennington.

The Square, Wormley, showing the Globe Hotel, selling Christie's Ale. Also a later business card for the Globe Hotel, with T. Stower, proprietor.

An unnamed beerhouse, now known to be the Live and Let Live. at Aston End, Aston. The name Frederick Charles Newling is visible over the door, and he is listed as a beer retailer in the 1912 Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire. The young girl is recognisably his daughter.

The Old Elm, Start Hill, Bishop's Stortford. It sells Benskin's. The details are hand written on the back of the card and I was unable to trace the pub or the street name. Thanks to John I now know that Start Hill is due east of Bishops Stortford - and he says that the pub is just over the county boundary into Essex. The pub is now closed and there is further information on John's web site, www.anvil.clara.net/oldpubs1.htm

The High Street, including the Old George, Puckeridge. It is selling McMullen's Ale. It is presumably one of the unnamed beer retailers listed in the 1912 Kelly's Directory for Hertfordshire.

Street view including the Plough Inn, Collier's End, High Cross. There is a penny-farthing over the entrance porch, presumably to attract cyclists as customers.

The Queen's Head. This has now been identified as the Queens Head, Breachwood Green, Kings Walden.

The Red, White and Blue, selling McMullen's Ale, at Collier's End. This is now a private house (see page for information about the unusual name).

A postcard of the River Lea and Bridge at Stanstead Abbots, including the Rose and Crown public House. According to Hertfordshire Inns & Public Houses the Rose and Crown closed in 1964.

A postcard of Widford Village, "Last remains of Old Widford on the right", with the Royal Oak in the middle distance. According to Hertfordshire Inns & Public Houses it had been converted to a shop by 1922.