Image: Hampton on Sea 1911 125

Description: Postcard dated 1911 showing the back of Hernecliffe Gardens terrace after demolition and with its supporting cliff still in the process of sea erosion. Photographed looking north-east. The photographer was standing on the shore as it was then; the shore has moved southward since. Some interesting points are (1) the length and structure of the old Hampton Pier (now shortened), which was blamed for precipitating the sea erosion; (2) a sailing ship behind the pier; (3) land not yet eroded between the Hernecliffe Gardens cliff and Hampton Pier Avenue; (4) no houses yet built on Westcliff (it is now completely built up); (5) in spite of the dereliction of this lost settlement, there are still people walking about near the Hampton Inn. Border The remaining border of this image is important for researchers of this photographer. Some photographers trimmed their images more than others, and Palmer has a reputation for producing smaller postcards than other early 20th century UK photographers. He took his own photos, developed them in-house onto postcard-backed photographic paper and trimmed them himself. It is worth adding that during hand-developing the border is actively masked with equipment which both crops the picture and causes the white frame or border to appear on the paper. This frame is part of the design and is one of the reasons why the quality of Palmer's work is so interesting, and why there is an article and category for him on English Wiki. Researchers need to see exactly where the edge of the postcard is. This postcard has no white frame, but the edge of the postcard is part of the composition. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Title: Hampton on Sea 1911 125
Credit: Self-scanned
Author: Anon, although it could possibly be Fred C. Palmer (d.1930s), because the date, subject, style and white writing are similar to his other work. However Fred C. Palmer's postcards usually had his name on the back, and this one has no name.
Permission: out of copyright
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No