January 26th 1905 Elizabeth Russell to Frances Martha Mantz

Kensington, London to Victoria docks, london

10 miles

the message

"The Abbey

Campden Hill Road

Kensington

Squiggle

Dear Frances. I promised Louie I would send you some P. P. C's when I left home. But I have been very busy, or I would have sent one sooner.

With love from yours sincerely

Elizabeth Russell"

the sender

There is a clue about who Elizabeth Russell is. At the top of the card is written "The Abbey, Campden Hill Road, Kensington". This address has an interesting history that can be found here https://rbkclocalstudies.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/forgotten-buildings-the-abbey/

A guess at the street address, based on Google Street view of the Campden Hill Road today, is 8 Campden Hill Road. In 1901, there was a couple called Russell (Frank H and Ada L) living at number 8. If Elizabeth is not related, then that is a big coincidence.

Also, in the previous Frances Mantz postcard, what looks like the initials E B are referenced. Maybe it is E R.

The recipient

Details of Frances Martha Mantz can be found in the entry for the first card in the series

The address 30 Boyd Road, Tidal Basin is where the family bakery was. It isn't there any more. The area has been redeveloped.

the places

Campden Hill Road, Kensington

Victoria Docks, London

what the card says to us

The picture shows the Albert Hall which does not appear to be relevant.

On the front is written "From E. R. 26.1.1904". This is a different year from the postmark. The Post Office is more likely to be right. How many of us have written down the wrong year in January?

The text of the message has corrections. It looks like they have been added by a different person. The "s" and the "h" look different. What does that say about Elizabeth Russell? How old is she? Who would be correcting her postcard?

What is a P P C? Is it just a postcard? If so, what does the other P mean?

Who is Louie? Where is home, if it isn't The Abbey.

To follow the whole series go to