Hymns and Church Organs

as seen in Old Postcards

Alan Owen (Hon. Secretary)

Picture postcards were first permitted by Her Majesty's Treasury in 1894, and immediately became an expanding industry. Every contemporary topic, from seaside views to early aviation, soon found its way onto postcards. The widespread social acceptance of the Church with its hymns, choirs and organs was also clearly reflected.

Manufacturers such as Bamforths of Holmfirth, went to great lengths with photographic scenes to illustrate hymns, songs and religious parlour-poems. Models posed in front of elaborate backcloths with theatrical props. The results were usually very effective, but very much within the style and taste of the day.

A great favourite, with many sets of cards produced for sale, was Sir Arthur Sullivan's "The Lost Chord". Here, maidens in a reverie gaze into the beyond, their hands wandering "idly over the noisy keys".

"The Volunteer Organist" also inspired several sets, with a bewildered organist shuffling along the aisle, the clergy and the congregation too moved to watch him leave.

 

Humour played its part in the postcard market, with vicars, choirs, organists and the Church in general, coming in for good-natured digs.

 

 

 

Even the barrel-organ, familiar in the Edwardian street, received attention.

Choirboys and choristers from the earliest days could evoke a sympathetic response.

 

By the 1950s, the humour had become more sharp-edged.

Organists' favourite original hymn-tune compositions were frequently published as postcards, often with full 4-part harmony.

Hundreds upon hundreds of cards were produced, illustrating well-known hymns. The relative popularity of those traced, gives a top-ten with "Rock of Ages" well in the lead (approx.50 different cards.) Second comes "Lead Kindly Light" ( 26), then "Abide with Me" (22), "Jesu Lover of my Soul" (18), "Nearer my God to Thee" (16), "When I Survey" (14), "Now the Day is Over" (12), "Thy will be done" (11), "Onward Christian Soldiers" (10), and "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep" (9). This equates with those hymns' relative popularity at the time, as shown in studies of hymnody by Revd. Prof. Ian Bradley.

The first World War gave an impetus to the postcard industry. Many hymn cards were issued intending to bring some comfort to those affected by warfare. The prevailing taste was again very much of the era.

Edwardian postcards can be bought today in huge quantities, and fairs are held all over the country exclusively for postcards. In Nottingham, for example, the Harvey Haddon Stadium is host to about 90 dealers, 4 or 5 times each year, and it would not be difficult to find 100 hymn postcards at any one of them.

Today, it is unlikely that one new hymn-related postcard could be found on sale in the High Street. Hymns are clearly just as meaningful today to those who sing them. The reason for the contrast in social acceptance, and the remedy, must be a topic for another occasion. These well-made tributes to a fine part of our Church heritage, are now nostalgia.

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