Black-and-white photographic postcard showing the historic riverside buildings of St. Thomas’s Hospital in London, viewed across the River Thames from the Westminster side, c. 1910–1914; postally used 23 July 1914. Publisher: W. Straker Ltd., London. The British postal cancellation on the front is dated 23 JUL 14. The card was addressed to Bessines in the French département of Haute-Vienne and bears a French receiving postmark apparently dated 24 July 1914. The object is particularly interesting because the postal date places an ordinary tourist postcard within an extraordinary historical moment. 23 July 1914 was the day on which Austria-Hungary delivered its ultimatum to Serbia, one of the decisive events of the July Crisis that led to the First World War. 

Westminster Bridge and St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, Scenic photographic postcard, presumably from the 1930s, not mailed. Original title: Westminster Bridge showing St. Thomas’ Hospital, London. Series: Bridge House Real Photo Series (1930s–1940) by publisher W. H. Smith & Son, London.

Weck | Surgical Instruments | Hospital Supplies and Specialties

Postcard with depicted St. George’s Hospital in London, sent on April 2, 1908. St. George’s Hospital was founded in 1733 at Lanesborough House near Hyde Park Corner. From its very first decades of operation, the hospital was involved in training doctors: its surgeons and physicians took on apprentices. The medical school was officially established at 1834 and since 1868, it was housed directly within the hospital complex.

Black-and-white photographic postcard depicting the Quadrangle — the courtyard with the fountain in the centre — of St Bartholomew’s Hospital (also known as St Barts) in West Smithfield, London. Published by Gordon Smith, 15 Stroud Green Road, London N., and printed in Germany. Postcard No. 251. Presumably c. 1905–1910, probably around 1908.

A postcard showing the old Westminster Hospital in Broad Sanctuary, directly opposite Westminster Abbey. The hospital had occupied this site since 1834. The imposing castellated Gothic building seen here was substantially rebuilt in 1895, giving the institution an architectural presence more reminiscent of a medieval civic palace than a modern hospital. Westminster Hospital remained at Broad Sanctuary until 1938, when it moved to new premises near Horseferry Road. The old building was later damaged by fire in 1950 and subsequently disappeared during redevelopment of the area. Today, the hospital’s former site corresponds approximately to the open space immediately in front of the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, on the north side of Broad Sanctuary, facing Westminster Abbey.

This postcard, depicting the Henry VIII Gatehouse of St Bartholomew's Hospital, was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons as part of their "Aquarette" series (No. 0257) and features artwork by Charles E. Flower. Posted on 9 December 1905, the postmark firmly establishes its use and a terminus ante quem. The publisher's imprint, "Art Publishers to Their Majesties the King & Queen," places the publication after Queen Victoria's death in January 1901, with a likely date of circa 1903–1905. The gateway itself, rebuilt in 1702 by mason John Strong, stands as a historic entrance to Britain's oldest hospital site, founded in 1123. The card captures both an Edwardian street scene and an everyday moment of correspondence from that era.

Postcard titled “Hospiz der Diakonissen-Anstalt, Kaiserswerth a. Rh.” with a handwritten private message on the back, bearing a green “German Empire” 5 Pf., postally used stamp, cancelled on August 9, 1913. Cardboard, letterpress printing, handwritten text in ink.

Postcard titled “Kaiserswerth a. Rh. Hauptkrankenhaus, Diakonissenkirche, Tabeahaus." The postcard cancelled 26.12.1916 

Postcard titled “Kaiserswerth a. Rh. Weisenhaus, Mutterhaus, Krankenhaus". The postcard cancelled 23 August 1917.