Bamforth postcards are one of the most popular postcards of the 20th century. They were first published in 1870 by James Bamforth, the son of a Yorkshire painter and decorator. He originally used his talents to produce painted lantern slides but later moved to photography which proved more successful. By the 1900s the slides had evolved into what we know now as Bamforth postcards.
In the early 20th century, the company started making saucy and seaside postcards. Bamforth postcards featured social issues, failed marriages, drunkenness and humorous experiences. Despite their comic nature, they often illustrated many social issues, cultural norms and anti-suffrage views.
Here below are some funny Bamforth postcards from the early 20th century.
