A photograph by Burns and Ashton, Victoria Pier, Blackpool, entitled 'Sarah Boswell ("Gypsy Sarah") aged 99, and her grand-daughter'. Behind them is a traditional gypsy tent, made from wattle hoops covered with blankets.

Credited to C.J.E Coop, Blackpool, this postcard is titled "Interior of a Gypsy's Tent, South Shore, Blackpool

Posted to an address in Oldham, Lancashire at 10 o'clock on the morning of April 25th 1904, this hand coloured photograph gives us some idea of the living conditions inside the wattle and blanket shelters.

"Does this meet with your approval?" asks Edith. "Hope you are all very well. We have quite finished now, Hip Hooray. Love from all ..."

Just what Edith & Co had finished, and why it called for such celebration, we will never know ...

A mint E.R.G. card, No. 13 in the Victoria Series, "Fortune Telling in Blackpool". It clearly shows how close some of the tents were to the Switchback. The ride sweeps down from the right hand side, and the roof of the South Station is clearly visible on the left. Just how many Granddaughters of Gypsy Sarah there were is not known, but this was where the 'Eldest Clever' one held her consultations!

The next few cards show views of the tents of other members of the Boswell family and other Fortune Tellers. The site of the Switchback Railway was cleared in 1923 to make way for the Big Dipper - the area in the photograph would now be underneath Infusion!

A South Shore Estate card, posted at 8:15p.m. on 25th July 1907, entitled 'Gipsies at Home, South Shore, Blackpool. The tent belongs to Jenny Boswell, 'Gypsy Sarah's ONLY Clever Daughter-in-Law' a very popular lady if the queue is anything to go by! The message on the back reads 'David and Wilfred are longing to see you to tell you of their exploits. The card was sent to an address in Swansea.

Looks idyllic, doesn't it ! Another of Gypsy Sarah's daughters, the 'Only one in England', standing next to a traditional Gypsy Caravan

An unused E.R.G. card, No.15 in the Victoria Series

This card is dated Thursday 22-6-05, and bears the message

"Phrenology, by the look of it?"

Postcard Fairs can be both frustrating and exciting places!

Collectors choose many different subjects, and we continue to be amazed at the huge range of topics which are available. We still get strange looks from some dealers when we ask for Blackpool cards! especially when people realise that we are looking for 'Pleasure Beach' views.

Every now and again though, you realise that you have found something very rare indeed. This card, which bears the legend '1480 Blackpool "Visiting the Gypsies"' gave us one such moment.

No publisher named, so probably a local photographer, hence very likely one of few originals. It is a very rare survivor, capturing the essence of a moment from 1904 which shows people waiting to consult one of the Gypsy Fortune Tellers. Although the camera was awkwardly placed, we can see that then, as now, folk find this practice fascinating. The crowd are intent on seeing as much as possible, craning their necks to see what is going on. A man wearing a magnificent hat is having his palm read, watching the Fortune Teller intently. a child and her mother, towards the back of the crowd are transfixed, their expressions almost identical. A lady on the bench where people sit and wait looks on almost mesmerised. I just had to buy this card - why? Just look at the detailed scans...

The camera and lens were top quality, and there is little doubt that this print was from a glass negative, with very fine grain for the day. utterly incredible for something that is 120 years old...

A very early unused card - no publisher, showing a general view of the South Shore sandhills, looking towards what is probably the Star Inn in the distance

A general view of the camp from the south west. The tower of Holy Trinity Church, South Shore is visible over the houses. The 'sheds' containing the grottoes for the River Caves ride are visible on the left of the picture, just below the barely visible arms of the Sir Hiram Maxim Captive Flying Machines. There are a couple of Gypsy caravans in the distance.

A Coronation Series card sent to an address in Barnsley at 4p.m. 20th July 1914

"We wish you were with us here we would have our fortunes told. We were with your 2 girls yesterday and we did see some sights. The weather is lovely today with best respects from J & S.A. W ...

Posted to an address in Halifax from Halifax on 24th May 1904 this card, with no publisher sees the Edith hoping that Mary has enjoyed herself 'these holidays'

Lots of flags in evidence , along with traditional gypsy caravans...

Very rare card of 'The Gipsies, South Shore, Blackpool' caravan, tent and the switchback railway in view, this is a 'Progress Series' card from E.R.G.

Posted to an address in Bacup from Blackpool on April 14th 1905 at 9:30am

"Arrived 9:52 last night. Lovely here today. Circular tour round Marton this morning. Seen plenty of Bacupians. Willy

Good afternoon at Fleetwood"

The original photo was taken from the switchback railway, and the tent can be seen on another postcard in this sequence. The miniature railway was the forerunner of the much later Pleasure Beach Express, this particular railway did not last long, due to sand getting into the works!

Jany tells Nelly that she arrived safely, and that the weather is nice and warm, that she is enjoying herself, and hopes that Annie is 'getting on'

South Shore Estates card posted to Bolton 9:15 9th September 1907

'Fortune Telling at Blackpool' JRS 2336 6d or 1/- (2.5 or 5p) per session - two rates!

Gypsy Maude Lee and her erstwhile cooking companion seem to have a cosy home on the sands in this early view!