Leeds Postcards
by Christine Hankinson and Craig Oldham
(Four Corners Books £12)

For many of us from the ‘80s onwards Leeds Postcards became a central feature of  many a struggle against war, for workers’ solidarity and feminist goals. For today’s generation the idea of postcards will sound quaint, if this generation even knows what they are. I mean who sends postcards today?

Founded in Leeds, by young communist Richard Scott in 1979, Leeds Postcards would, he hoped, offer an alternative to the cheeky seaside cartoons or the twee country cottage scenes to be found on mainstream cards, but instead would help communicate vital political ideas in a forceful, but cheap way.

They filled a gap in the publishing market. They were eye-catching, enticing and provocative.

Christine Hankinson joined Leeds Postcards in 1984 and became a key figure in the business, lending it a feminist and gender political edge.

The company used striking visuals by a whole range of talented artists, including Bobby Starrett, George Brown, Peter Kennard, Jacky Fleming, Steve Bell and Ken Sprague, among many more.

They became a staple of left-wing bookshops and stalls and could be obtained by activists via mail order.

It was a highly influential undertaking. Initially based in the spare room of Scott’s Leeds home, they eventually moved into small business premises on Aire Street. Here Scott was soon joined by fellow activist Richard Honey, who helped with marketing and distribution. The late Sid Brown of the Morning Star also helped them with creative ideas.
 

Catriona Sinclair, who also joined the team, used her talent to raise awareness of the need to keep abortion legal in Britain.

Leeds Postcards played a big role in promoting solidarity with the striking miners in 1984/85, raising over £30,000 for the families of the striking miners.

Although sending postcards has become a rather old-fashioned way of communicating, they do still have a role to play in using visual imagery to raise awareness and despite the ubiquity of bland emails and tweeting, the company is still fighting on.

This book is a beautifully produced and fitting celebration of a unique and historically important initiative and of those that made it happen, each page presenting the reader with one of LP’s iconic images. It takes the reader on an enjoyable journey through recent British history.