This book offers a novel investigation of the Edwardian picture postcard as an innovative form of communication. It offers original insights into the historical and social context in which the postcard emerged; including how the postcard can reveal details of the lives and literacy practices of often overlooked sectors of the population.

Julia Gillen is Professor of Literacy Studies at Lancaster University, UK.

1. The Edwardian postcard as a revolutionary communications technology 2. The early postcard 3. Researching the Edwardian postcard 4. Materiality and multimodality 5. What were the Edwardians writing about? 6. The lives of three young women through postcards: Annie Parrish, Janet Carmichael and Ruby Ingrey 7. Conclusions