This striking antique real photo postcard captures a formal group portrait of twelve British police officers, likely taken in the early 1900s during the Edwardian era. Dressed in full uniform, the men are arranged in two neat rows, seven standing in back and five seated in front—outside what appears to be a stone police station or municipal building. Their uniforms are traditional for the period, featuring double-breasted tunics with shiny metal buttons, high collars marked with identification numbers, and the iconic custodian helmets adorned with royal insignias. Adding a subtle touch of hierarchy to the scene, one officer seated in the middle wears a peaked cap instead of a helmet, suggesting he may have held a higher rank, possibly an inspector. A few of the officers also display chevrons on their sleeves, denoting the rank of sergeant. One especially charming detail that sets this postcard apart is the presence of a cat, calmly perched in the arms of one of the seated sergeants—an unusual and endearing addition to an otherwise formal composition. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 