A10577/19

Engraved print of the (New) Hospital in Sheerness Dockyard, circa 1850; various pedestrians in the foreground, wheeled transport to the rear. No printer's name apparent; printed on folded paper, so intended as a notelet for short letters. Illustrated letterheads like this one were sent by visitors to the seaside, the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands and other British tourist attractions in the mid 19th century. They were precursors of the picture postcards which began to supplant them after the introduction of the half-penny post in 1870.

mid 19th century, circa 1850

print of Sheerness hospital, Illustrated letterhead