There have been several books of (insert your local village name) in old picture postcards, which have proved popular with both those who recall events first hand and those intrigued by the past. This is a somewhat grander version, A4 in size and with high quality pictures, thanks to the Scotsman Publications.
As John McLellan, editor of the Edinburgh Evening News says, “What this book really illustrates is that, by and large, the dramatic backdrop of this city has remained a constant throughout the latter half of the 20th century…” Edinburgh is still recognisable and so are its people. There may no longer be streets where traffic is banned after 4 pm to allow children to play, but there are always streets and back yards where boys will kick a can around – and it will be a different can, of course.
The photographs are in black and white, whether of celebrities arriving at the Caledonian Hotel, the Queen on her coronation tour or Edinburgh’s citizens at work and play. In 157 pages, there are glimpses of public and private life, dramas and domesticity, characters and crowd scenes.
Anyone who lived through the 50s will enjoy reminiscing at the sight of oddly familiar fashions in clothing, cars and household goods, while younger people will be amazed by the accomplishments of these ancient times. Postwar hardships were still having their influences but so was optimism.
Edinburgh in the 1950s will be generally available in October but in the meantime you can buy copies, priced £12.99 at www.atheart.co.uk/edinburgh or by telephone on 0161 924 0159.
