Naval blacksmiths
Maker
Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd
(British, 1866 - 1959)
Datec 1910
Object number00000839
NamePostcard
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 86 x 138 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionPostcard titled 'Naval Blacksmiths'. Published by the London Publishing ouse Raphael Tuck and Sons and part of their "Heart of Oak" series. "Heart of Oak" is also the name of the official march of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom.HistoryRaphael Tuck and Sons opened a publishing house in London in 1866 specializing in greeting cards and later postcards. They became known for their graphic art postcards with The Times noting that he “opened up a new field of labour for artists, lithographers, engravers, printers, ink and paste board makers, and several other trade classes”.
The company also ran extremely popular public design completions and is an acknowledged driver of the popularity of Christmas cards.
In 1940 their offices and records and proofs were destroyed by a German bombing raid. Despite this the company did continue after the war until 1952 when it was merged with other printing firms to become the British Printing Corporation.
[http://tuckdb.org/history]SignificanceThis postcard shows life aboard a ship for her crew. It is an idealized view of the blacksmiths role on board and the conditions they worked under. Scenes such as these fostered great pride and support from the public and signified the Navy's role as the engine and strength in the defence of Britain.
