Field

Description

Subject

Two women riding a dark pony side-by-side/astride with a man in a double-breasted suit holding the pony's tail, smiling for the camera

Era / Date

Vintage (c. 1930s)

Location

Coastal Resort (likely Margate, Broadstairs, or Ramsgate, Kent)

Photographer / Publisher

Sunbeam Photo Ltd., 82 Sweyn Road, Margate

Format

Real Photo Postcard (RPPC)

Negative Ref / Code

T6627 printed on the front bottom right

Dimensions

Standard Postcard Size (approx. 5.5" x 3.5")

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition. Unposted reverse. Minor surface wear, corner creasing, and light age-toning typical of period street photography prints. Please see images for close-up condition.

wonderfully quirky, original 1930s "walking picture" (walkie) real photo postcard capturing a joyful holiday moment on the British coast.

• ​The Scene: Features two stylish young women perched together on a dark, shaggy pony or miniature horse. The woman in front wears a white summer top, dark skirt, and canvas shoes; the woman behind wears a striped beach wrap/robe. Standing beside them is a gentleman in a sharp double-breasted suit, tie, and pocket square, cheekily holding onto the pony's tail while smoking a cigarette.

• ​Atmosphere: An iconic piece of 1930s British seaside humor and novelty photography.

• ​Backing Details: Features an unposted postcard reverse printed with “SUNBEAM POST CARD” and publisher details “Sunbeam Photo Ltd., 82, Sweyn Road, Margate. For all orders by Post.”

​Historical Context & Significance

​What is a "Walkie"?

During the 1920s and 1930s, street and beach photographers set up along popular British seaside resorts to catch holidaymakers off-guard or in fun posed scenarios. Pedestrians were handed a ticket to view and buy print postcards at local kiosks or order them via post.

​About Sunbeam Photo Ltd. (Margate):

Founded by John Milton Worssell after World War I, Sunbeam Photo Ltd. grew to become one of the most famous photographic firms operating along the Kent coast (covering Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Folkestone). Their headquarters and main film processing laboratory at 82 Sweyn Road, Margate opened in 1925 and was considered one of the first purpose-built film processing works in the country.

​Sunbeam was particularly well-known for introducing novel props, animals, and studio setups to seaside promenades. This postcard is a prime example of the playful souvenir imagery that captured the spirit of interwar British holiday culture.