On the cards for fun of the fair

Hundreds of visitors turned out for the last of this year's postcard fairs to be held at a Midland railway museum.

Dealers from across the country sold postcards at Kidderminster Railway Museum ranging from local history to comic and topographical with many dating from the turn of the 20th century to the present day.

Those with local views were among the best sellers and people keen on family history were delving among the postcards to see if there were any showing areas where their ancestors lived or worked.

Trader Elizabeth Benson, pictured, had some unique cards on show including one signed by the late sixties comedian Tony Hancock, who was born in Southam Road, Hall Green, Birmingham.

Another rare postcard on display was signed by Gutzen Borglum, who sculpted the faces of the American presidents on Mount Rushmore.

Described as a monument for the ages, his magnificent work has become a must destination for visitors.

But due to his untimely death, lack of funding and the onset of the Second World War his project was only ever completed to the point it is today.

Mrs Benson said: "It is surprising just what people are looking for in the postcards. Some want memories of the past for the area they know and others are collectors who are more taken by the signed cards.

"The signed postcards are very interesting because Tony Hancock was possibly the best-known comedian of the 60s and although people do not necessarily recognise the name of Gutzen Borglum, his work is known to everyone around the world."