Historic London

This collection features reproductions of important historical sites including the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. Produced from lithographic prints, these picture postcards have a great range of color as compared to other photographic postcards of the area.

The edges of these postcards shows that they were in a postcard album, and in doing so those who viewed this set were brought into the sites. They were produced largely for touristic aims. Heritage tourism, or promotion of visitation to historic sites for leisure purposes. As such, postcards helped expand mass tourism.

Upper, and middle class Americans that had more income as a result of the Industrial Revolution began to travel abroad to Europe to soak in culture and history. Important buildings like these are important and deserve special attention becaue they are the most prominent artifacts in the local, cultural landscape.

The Tower to-day is noted the wide world over for its famous Armouries, Crown Jewels, fearful Prison Chambers, and quaintly dressed Warders, all serving to connect the glories of the past with stern realities of the present.

Lady Jane Grey entered the Tower of London as Queen on July 9th, 1553. Nine days later she was made a prisoner, and on February 12th, 1554, her fair head feel from the block on Tower Green.

King Henry VII added the Lady Chapel in 1503 to Westminster Abbey. A lady chapel references a type of chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The chapel is noted for its pendant vault ceiling, and was built in Perpendicular Gothic style.