Description

Book Synopsis

The lines, circles, ticks, hooks, dots and dashes of Pitman shorthand used by some postcard writers during the early twentieth century are obscure to most people. Could the mysterious messages contain scandalous gossip, tales of adventure or declarations of undying love?

Fifty Mysterious Postcards presents fascinating examples from the ‘Golden Age’ of the postcard, each with a message written in the dying art of Pitman shorthand. The rules of Pitman have changed since the postcards were written and posted over 100 years ago, but careful transcription has unlocked their meaning to bring stories of penfriends, sweethearts, holidays and the First World War to life once more.



Trade Review

“The format mostly features spreads with the postcards – beauty scenes, landmarks, cute animals – with the original name and address written longhand and the message in shorthand.”

* Best of British magazine *

Fifty Mysterious Postcards: Pitman Shorthand

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    RRP £15.99 – you save £1.60 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 17 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Kathryn Baird

    1 in stock

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      View other formats and editions of Fifty Mysterious Postcards: Pitman Shorthand by Kathryn Baird

      Publisher: The History Press Ltd
      Publication Date: 15/09/2022
      ISBN13: 9781803990460, 978-1803990460
      ISBN10: 1803990465
      Also in:
      Biography Published diaries, letters and journals Dictionaries, Reference & Language Palaeography History Nostalgia: general

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      The lines, circles, ticks, hooks, dots and dashes of Pitman shorthand used by some postcard writers during the early twentieth century are obscure to most people. Could the mysterious messages contain scandalous gossip, tales of adventure or declarations of undying love?

      Fifty Mysterious Postcards presents fascinating examples from the ‘Golden Age’ of the postcard, each with a message written in the dying art of Pitman shorthand. The rules of Pitman have changed since the postcards were written and posted over 100 years ago, but careful transcription has unlocked their meaning to bring stories of penfriends, sweethearts, holidays and the First World War to life once more.



      Trade Review

      “The format mostly features spreads with the postcards – beauty scenes, landmarks, cute animals – with the original name and address written longhand and the message in shorthand.”

      * Best of British magazine *

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