Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Who was "Sydbie" - Another St Albans card has turned up

Sydbie is a water colour artist, identity unknown, whose "Sydbie Series" post cards are easily recognised because of their very distinctive backs.

There appears to have been a set of six: views of historic features in the Barnet area issued in about 1905.

  • Hadley High Stone
  • The Old Oak, Hadley
  • Latimer's Elm, Hadley Woods
  • Ye Old Psychic Well, Barnet
  • The Old Red Lion from Barnet Hill
  • Windmill (Barnet Gate)

I have been looking for any other cards for years and found that he painted two cards of St Albans published by Boots the Chemists in the Pelham Series. These showed Gorhambury Ruins and Sopwell Nunnery. 

Much to my surprise a few days ago I found another "Sydbie Series" card - showing St Albans Abbey - with a more conventional back. So are there more water colour views by him in existence - perhaps of St Albans. Let me know if you know of any.


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