The city of Southampton, lying on the south coast in Hampshire, has seen massive changes over the years. Its favoured location on the natural harbour of Southampton Water enabled it to develop as a major port, and it saw particularly rapid growth in Victorian times with the development of the docks and related shipbuilding industries. Significant areas of the city were destroyed in the Second World War and many people lost their lives as it became a target for aerial bombing raids. Post-war rebuilding of Southampton was essential, and although in the process more of the city’s historical structures were lost, today it is a vibrant and thriving metropolis. As the home port of many of the world’s largest cruise ships, Southampton draws visitors from all over the world.

In Southampton: The Postcard Collection the authors have drawn on a remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of how much the city, including its surrounding suburbs and the community that lives and work here, have changed over the last century. Although many landmarks have remained the same over the years the photographs show the city and its inhabitants adapting and evolving, with many buildings being replaced and the pattern of life in the city also changing for many. This fascinating collection of postcards will be of interest to those who have lived in Southampton or know it well.