Exeter: The Postcard Collection (Paperback)

Alan Spree

ISBN 10: 1398118370 / ISBN 13: 9781398118379

Published by Amberley Publishing, Chalford, 2024

About this Item

Paperback. Exeter has long been an important city in Devon, centred around its medieval cathedral. Much of the historic city centre was lost during the Second World War and subsequent redevelopment, but some scenes of Exeter from the past would still be recognisable today. Historic buildings stand next to redeveloped commercial centres, though many landmarks of old Exeter were lost and even the street plan was altered in places. In Exeter: The Postcard Collection author Alan Spree has drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in this citys past. Although some of the historic Exeter seen in these views has been lost, many landmarks have remained and will be familiar today. The postcards show how Exeters fabric and community have adapted and changed over the years. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Exeter or know it well. Explore a fascinating portrait of Exeter presented through a remarkable collection of historical postcards. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781398118379

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Exeter: The Postcard Collection (Paperback)
• Publisher: Amberley Publishing, Chalford
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1398118370
• ISBN 13: 9781398118379
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Discover the lost streets, timeless architecture, and evolving community of Devon’s historic county town through a rare visual archive of vintage picture postcards.

Centred around its magnificent medieval cathedral, the historic city of Exeter underwent dramatic transformations across the twentieth century. From the devastating destruction of the Second World War Blitz to modern postwar urban redevelopment, many beloved streetscapes and architectural landmarks vanished forever. In Exeter: The Postcard Collection, local historian Alan Spree curates an evocative pictorial record showing how old landmarks and local communities adapted across decades of change.

This curated photographic retrospective offers readers:

• A striking visual comparison between surviving heritage sites and lost city architecture
• Insightful glimpses into everyday Devon life, historic transport, and vintage shopfronts
• Detailed views of the cathedral close, historic quayside, and redeveloped commercial quarters

Whether you are a lifelong resident, a Devon family historian, or a dedicated collector of regional British ephemera, this 96-page volume provides an invaluable window into the vanished past of an essential English cathedral city.

About the Author

Alan Spree is the great-grandson of the postcard publisher John Henry Spree. Alan was born in Nottingham and went to school in Bilborough before moving to Portsmouth and growing up there. His first job was at Portsmouth Dockyard then he gained a degree in Civil Engineering and became a professionally qualified Civil Engineer. He worked with the Department of Environment and Preston City Council before retirement in Spain.