When I think of Butlin's, my mind conjures up images of concrete, the taste of chlorine, screaming children and cheap cruise-line style entertainment of the 80s. However, when I look over the postcards by John Hinde Ltd, I see an altogether different Butlin's to the one I imagine. Hinde's postcards depict a Butlin's saturated in all the beautiful colour of the 60s, the company's golden period; sleek futuristic monorails, families relaxing, some sleeping, others swimming and taking boat rides - a camp paradise for everyone, all under the British skies.
Of the ten camps that were dotted around the country, the first opening in 1936 in Skegness, a few still remain. However, as far-flung destinations opened up around the world and air travel became more popular and cheaper, the days when the British had their holidays at home diminished and the majority of the camps went into decline and were closed and three now remain open and still operating under the Butlin's brand-name. John Hinde's postcards, actually photographed by two German photographers, Elmar Ludwig and Edmund Nägele, and one British photographer, David Noble are now widely considered works of art. The book, Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight: The John Hinde Butlin's Photographs, edited by Martin Parr is a book I will most likely purchase to accompany the few original postcards that I actually own.
Here are some scans of the ones I have purchased so far.
Of the ten camps that were dotted around the country, the first opening in 1936 in Skegness, a few still remain. However, as far-flung destinations opened up around the world and air travel became more popular and cheaper, the days when the British had their holidays at home diminished and the majority of the camps went into decline and were closed and three now remain open and still operating under the Butlin's brand-name. John Hinde's postcards, actually photographed by two German photographers, Elmar Ludwig and Edmund Nägele, and one British photographer, David Noble are now widely considered works of art. The book, Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight: The John Hinde Butlin's Photographs, edited by Martin Parr is a book I will most likely purchase to accompany the few original postcards that I actually own.
Here are some scans of the ones I have purchased so far.
