Peter Cook Postcards project

This website emerges from a Pilot Project to explore the possibilities for digital access to and exploration of the Peter Cook Postcard Collection, held at the Hartley Library in the University of Southampton.

Researchers in English, Film and History selected approximately 100 representative nineteenth- and twentieth- century postcards from the collection, added keywords and other metadata, and the front and back of the cards were scanned by the Hartley Library’s Special collections team.

Many of the selected cards tell us about Southampton as a port city and a seaside location: as a scene of departure and as a temporary destination. But these often informal and chatty postcards also show Southampton as a place of everyday life, work, leisure, and socialization. The images on the cards take in Southampton’s medieval built heritage, its ports and ships, its cinemas, parks and common. The pilot interactive map enables viewers to follow the stories that unfold through these cards in various ways: via the map; via place; via card date; via keyword.

The project team aims to expand upon this pilot through future projects and partnerships. Exploratory work with these 100 cards is also informing the development the University of Southampton’s Virtual Reading Room, particularly as it might integrate with digital mapping projects. We welcome feedback on the pilot web interface, and approaches from any potential stakeholders in future projects.