This Raphael Tuck & Sons Write Away Series No. 288 postcard was illustrated by J. Bernard Partridge, a British cartoonist and illustrator best known for his work for Punch magazine.
The postcard shows a woman wearing a fashionable Edwardian dress with a long train. Behind her, a man has become caught in the train of the dress, forming the basis of the postcard’s joke.
The Printed Caption
Unlike many postcards of the period, the opening words of the message are already printed on the front of the card.
Across the top are the words:
“I just caught the train”
The caption has two meanings. It refers to the man literally being caught in the train of the woman’s dress, while also allowing the sender to continue the sentence as though they were writing about a railway journey.
The sender completed the message by writing:
“…from Macclesfield and arrived here quite safe & sound. Love to all from all. Dora.”
When read together, the printed caption and handwritten message become:
“I just caught the train from Macclesfield and arrived here quite safe & sound.”
This was the idea behind Raphael Tuck’s Write Away series, which encouraged senders to incorporate the printed caption into their own message.
About the Series
Raphael Tuck & Sons introduced the Write Away series before divided backs became standard in Britain. The reverse of the postcard was reserved for the recipient’s address, so messages had to be written on the picture side around the illustration. The printed caption formed part of the design and could be incorporated into the sender’s own words, as seen on this example.
Estimated Value
Raphael Tuck Write Away postcards vary in value depending on the artist, subject, condition and whether they are postally used. Common examples generally sell for around £4–£10, while scarcer artist-signed or more desirable designs in excellent condition can achieve £10–£20 or more. Condition has a significant impact on value, with creasing, foxing and discolouration reducing prices.
