1920s Anne Hathaway's Cottage England Postcard
About This Vintage Postcard
Step into the romantic legend of William Shakespeare with this evocative monochrome interior view of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Shottery. The scene features the famous "Courting Settle," a high-backed wooden bench where, according to local tradition, the young poet sat with his future wife during their courtship. Located beside the massive stone hearth of the cottage’s main living room, the settle was designed with a high back and side panels to trap heat from the fire and provide privacy. The mantle above is decorated with period ceramics and candlesticks, illustrating the cozy, rustic atmosphere of this 15th-century farmhouse. This atmospheric composition highlights the intimate domestic details that have made the cottage a premier literary pilgrimage site for over a century.
Details
Era: European Photogravure (c. 1920s)
City: Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon
State or Region: Warwickshire
Country: England
Topic: Anne Hathaway's Cottage, The Courting Settle, William Shakespeare, Tudor Interiors, English Furniture, Literary Legends
Condition: Circulated
Postage: 1 1/2d Red King George V Stamp; Postmarked July 30, 1924 (London W.C.)
Address Side: Divided back
Orientation: Horizontal (Landscape)
Artist / Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: Trustees and Guardians of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon
Printer: The Fine Arts Publishing Co. Ltd., London
Print Type: Photogravure
Additional Information
This postcard provides a charming personal record of a 1924 trip through the heart of England. The 1 1/2d red King George V stamp and the "London W.C." postmark from July 30, 1924, perfectly date its use. The handwritten message to a Mrs. John Carter in Owatonna, Minnesota, enthusiastically describes visits to Warwick and Kenilworth Castles and a "rural shoot" in the London area. Published under the copyright of the Trustees and Guardians of Shakespeare's Birthplace and printed by the Fine Arts Publishing Co. Ltd., this card represents the high-quality official souvenirs produced for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The use of photogravure allows for the deep, velvety sepias that beautifully render the weathered textures of the ancient "Courting Settle" and the historic stone hearth.
This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.
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