In 1909/10 a young Australian man was in England for about 18
months, attending the Royal College of Music in London. During
that time he clearly did some sightseeing, as he collected many
postcards from various parts of the UK. He also sent cards home
to his relatives, including this picture of Matlock Bath. Despite
this particular postcard showing traces of postmark ink transferred
from other letters with which it was posted*, it is nevertheless
a beautifully clear image of Edwardian Matlock Bath.
The shop behind
the tree on the right sold Derbyshire Spa and Marble Ornaments.
Next to it is one of the Petrifying Wells. On the left the row
of shops running from the building with the railings to the one
with the large oval sign (Hodgkinson's Hotel) was part of Matlock
Bath's once famous Great Hotel.
[*What appears to be a circle of writing on the large wedge
shaped building and roughly level with the Hodgkinson's sign
is, in fact, postmark ink] |