Postcards from the Tower of London

In this series, Bridget Clifford, Keeper of the Tower Armouries explores the changing face of the Tower of London as depicted overtime on picture postcards. She also provides a fascinating commentary on the scribbles, marks and various messages written on the backs.

Picture Postcards could be compared to social media messaging today. Throughout the later 19th and 20th centuries, they were easily available, cheap and delivered all over the country multiple times per day. Not only do postcards give us an insight into how people lived, travelled and worked, but also when compared and analysed, they can provide an insightful records into our buildings and cities.

The Tower of London was first photographed in 1852. The view captured in Mr Hilditch’s snap from Tower Hill looking East is still photographed by passers by thousands of times each day.

Postcards of the Tower were produced all over the country and sold from countless outlets throughout London, including the combined Ticket Office and Refreshment Room opposite the West Gate in the Tower and a postcard stall near the Byward gate. However, Tower views were widely available elsewhere, as evidenced by postmarks far removed from London reflecting the widespread use of postcards beyond a reminder of a grand day out at the Tower.

Postcards gallery

A postcard with a view of the White Tower over the wall of teh tower of london and with several trees visible.

A colourful painting of tower bridge and rowboat above the transcription.

A drawing of the White Tower in colour, with ravens flying above it and trees surrounding it.

A view of the White Tower from across the river with a row of canons i nteh foreground and several boats on the river.

A postcard painting of a sailboat and steamboat infront of the Tower in colour

Postcard with a museum display of armour in black and white, showing many mannequins of men and horses clad in armour

The inside of Beauchamp tower, with three alcoves with each having a chair.

Tower guard under a stone arch in black and white with the title London: A Yeoman Jailor. He stands with his hands behind his back and carries no weapon.

Tower of london with tree in forground alongside several dozen canons. Titled White Tower, Tower of London.

A grainy photo showing a dispaly of the crown jewels in black and white, alongside several other ornate tankards and other crockery with the mention Regalia, Tower of London

Nine Beefeaters at attention in the tower courtyard while some members of the public look on, all presented in colour. The beefeaters have their ceremonial red uniform and carry polearms.

Inner courtyard of the tower in colour, with a fountain, several houses and two trees surrounding a patch of grass.

A group of six Yeomen standing ina circle in black and white, with large polarms and ceremonial uniform. They are standing on a cobbled street with houses in the background.

Tower bridge postcard, showing arounda dozen row boats n front of tower brdige in colour, and several larger ships in the background.

Tower bridge postcard, showing arounda dozen row boats n front of tower brdige in black and white, and several larger ships in the background.

Panoramic view of london and tower bridge from the front of a pstcard. Titled London from the monument, rooftops, church spires and the river thames are all seen from a high vantage point in colour.

A framed postcard with the title Tower of London, showingthe white tower behind the tower wall with trees in front of it in colour. All in an oval frame.

A postcard with a Uniformed Beefeater standing to attention in front of some stairs. There is a hand written message at the bottom of the card.

A sphotograph through a stone arch showing a dispaly of armour in sepia on a postcard.

Sepia postcard showin the tower of london as part of a city view from the south bank.

A row of armuored manaquines in faux parade in a old looking room

A postcard of Twoer Bridge showing the Londond skyline. It has started to crack from age.

The White Tower and surrounding buildings on a postcard in a oval frame

A view of a crowded Streen overlooing the Twoer of London

A row of Cannons with tourists and a Yeoman warder behind them

A group of Yeoman warders have their photo taken

Tower of London marked postcard showing the tower ground and tower bridge in the background

View of the towers grounds on a postcard

Sepia image of the Tower of London and tower brdige with text The Tower and Twoer Bridge, London

A view of the white tower surrounded by trees from accross the river

A painting of a castle gateway with a guard adn young woman. The gateway to the bloody tower

Bridget Clifford

Bridget Clifford is former Keeper of Tower Armouries for the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London.

Postcards from the Tower of London

Postcards gallery

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