A 1908 Holiday in Sark
The following images show a family holiday in Sark at 'Beau 'Sejour' near the Seigneurie in June 1908. Two postcards were posted in early July from Jersey on the groups way back to the UK - There is also an earlier Christmas postcard of 1903 from 'Bert' showing a leafy lane, so it is more than likely that 'Bert' who certainly knows the island very well is a permanent or semi permanent resident at this address in Sark. If more information is found, the website will be updated.
It can be presumed that 'Bert', also owns the camera and is the main photographer. The images are taken from self developed negatives and printed on postcards - Most have been posted from Sark to the Misses Lloyd Jones and sent to two addresses in Streatham, London, though two are posted from St Aubin in Jersey after the group left Sark. The 1903 Christmas card is addressed to Mr & Mrs G. Mann to an address in Stamford Hill.
Bert obviously is a good photographer in technique as well as composition as the photographs illustrate. On one of the postcards Bert mentions that " I have taken some "snaps" of the girls, which I am afraid, cannot go as postcards, for obvious reasons. B." I wonder what these showed!
There are more than likely a few postcards missing, but the ones that have been left to us give us an insight into the social life of 1908 middle class Londoners when on holiday. The clothing the women had to wear in these times certainly did not seem to hinder them with rock climbing or swimming!
Being a time before women got the vote, there is still humour, as written on the back of one posted postcards is:-
'Now then, all together
One! two!! three!!!
Votes for Women!
Votes for Women!
Votes for Women!!!
When Bert administers panic we cry
off and cry votes for Men!
It can be presumed that 'Bert', also owns the camera and is the main photographer. The images are taken from self developed negatives and printed on postcards - Most have been posted from Sark to the Misses Lloyd Jones and sent to two addresses in Streatham, London, though two are posted from St Aubin in Jersey after the group left Sark. The 1903 Christmas card is addressed to Mr & Mrs G. Mann to an address in Stamford Hill.
Bert obviously is a good photographer in technique as well as composition as the photographs illustrate. On one of the postcards Bert mentions that " I have taken some "snaps" of the girls, which I am afraid, cannot go as postcards, for obvious reasons. B." I wonder what these showed!
There are more than likely a few postcards missing, but the ones that have been left to us give us an insight into the social life of 1908 middle class Londoners when on holiday. The clothing the women had to wear in these times certainly did not seem to hinder them with rock climbing or swimming!
Being a time before women got the vote, there is still humour, as written on the back of one posted postcards is:-
'Now then, all together
One! two!! three!!!
Votes for Women!
Votes for Women!
Votes for Women!!!
When Bert administers panic we cry
off and cry votes for Men!
Part of the Garden at Beau Sejour Sark in June 1908
A posted postcard dated June 4th 1908
On the back:-
'This shews you a bit of our charming garden.
It gives you a very faint idea of its beauty however.
We have had another glorious day today.
I have had two bathes and the girls one each.
In the afternoon we had a delightful walk to Dogsbody.
The mails from here are very uncertain, so do not be surprised if you do not hear from us regularly.
Love from A.O. & B.'
Ref: 2019-09-25-0005
Location: Beau Sejour Sark
Photographer: Bert
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