Description

Vintage Musical Portrait Postcard – The Parkinson Family

A poignant Edwardian-era group portrait of The Parkinson Family, posed with musical instruments in formal attire — a rare visual tribute to domestic music-making and artistic identity in early 20th-century Britain.

Measurements: approx. 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
Dates: not available
Condition: In decent vintage condition. Please inspect images for quality.
Internal notes: QC passed

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This evocative Edwardian-era real photo postcard presents The Parkinson Family in a meticulously posed studio portrait — each figure formally dressed and holding a musical instrument, from violin and mandolin to vocal scores. The composition reflects the genteel tradition of parlour musicianship, where music served as both familial bonding and a symbol of cultivated living. The dark backdrop and soft tonal contrast lend a quiet dignity to the image.

The captioned title, “The Parkinson Family,” grounds the piece in personal heritage, suggesting they may have been known locally for their musical endeavours. Their expressions are solemn, their postures composed — likely taken around the early 1900s, when amateur music-making was a cornerstone of middle-class refinement. The photographic clarity, formal attire, and array of instruments elevate this image beyond the ordinary — offering a rare visual artefact of Edwardian musical domesticity.

This postcard is more than a photograph; it’s a window into the private cultural life of pre-war Britain. For collectors, historians, or musicians, it embodies the values of discipline, unity, and artistic pride. Preserving this piece means safeguarding not just a family’s likeness, but a fading tradition where music was made, not streamed — and family was its audience.

Categories:
ephemera, music, people, postcards, vintage

Tags:
black and white, edwardian, family, mandolin, musicians, portrait, violin

Focus Keyword:
parkinson family postcard

Suggested Internal Link Keywords:
edwardian postcard, musical family, vintage music ephemera, family portrait, black and white photo card, 1900s musicians