1907 King Charles' I Tower Chester England Vintage Postcard
About This Vintage Postcard
This striking monochrome postcard captures the King Charles' I. Tower, also known as the Phoenix Tower, a 13th-century defensive turret located on the medieval city walls of Chester, England. The tower is historically famous as the site where King Charles I reportedly stood on September 24, 1645, to witness the defeat of his Royalist army at the Battle of Rowton Moor during the English Civil War.
This specific view highlights the tower's conversion into a public museum during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, featuring prominent "Now Open to Visitors" signage and historical plaques. The photograph emphasizes the tower's rugged sandstone masonry and its strategic position overlooking the ancient city wall walkway, which has been a popular destination for tourists for over a century.
Details
Era: Divided Back (1907)
City: Chester
State or Region: Cheshire
Country: England
Topic: King Charles Tower, Phoenix Tower, Chester City Walls, English Civil War History, Medieval Architecture
Condition: Uncirculated
Postage: None
Address Side: divided back
Orientation: Vertical (Portrait)
Artist / Photographer: Unknown
Publisher: F. Frith & Co., Ltd., Reigate (Frith's Series No. 20619)
Printer: Printed in England
Print Type: Collotype
Additional Information
The manufacturing date for this card is narrowed to 1907 based on the publisher's negative number 20619, which corresponds to the 1907 Frith & Co. catalog. The name "Phoenix Tower" comes from the 1613 stone crest of the Painters, Glaziers, Embroiderers, and Stationers' Guild, visible above the entrance. Francis Frith & Co. was one of the most prolific photographic publishers in the UK, specializing in topographical views of British landmarks. The signage "Now Open to Visitors" and "Museum" indicates the tower's role as a private commercial museum during this era. According to the Francis Frith Collection, this specific image captures the site during its transition into a major heritage landmark for the city of Chester.
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