SENDING POSTCARDS IS somewhat of a lost art these days, but there was a time when no jaunt abroad was complete without sending a cardboard missive to your nearest and dearest.

This selection of postcards is taken from Love From Cork: Postcards of the City & County (Collins Press), a nostalgic look at how we used to communicate.

The author, Perry O’Donovan, chose postcards from two collections, one belonging to John James from Kinsale and the other maintained by Adrian Healy from Skibbereen.

The book even includes the messages from the cards, as well as literary extracts. If you’re looking for a stocking-filler for a person with an interest in nostalgia and Ireland of old, you could certainly do worse than this.

From the John James collection, a Comique Series postcard from the Inter-Art Company, Florence House, Barnes, London. This postcard was never posted.

A Bradford Post Card Company postcard from the John James collection. The card was posted in Youghal in 1908, to a Miss H Gallagher, William Street, Galway: ‘Here with 5,000 children!’ is all the message says. It is signed ‘HG’.

This card from the Adrian Healy collection features the great flood in Mallow in November 1916.

From the Adrian Healy collection, this is a view of St Patrick’s Street, looking north towards St Patrick’s Bridge, published by Charles L Reis & Co, of Dublin and Belfast. This postcard was never posted.

Postcard featuring a bog oak dealer.

A John Hinde card from the Adrian Healy collection (photography by D Noble). The card was never posted.

The fish market in Baltimore.

A JE Spiller card from the Adrian Healy collection showing a market-day scene on George Street, Clonakilty (George Street is now Connolly Street). This postcard was never posted.

From the Adrian Healy collection, this â’National Series’ postcard was (apparently) sent to a Miss Rita Lawton of Bridge Street, Bandon; the message reads ‘Hope he will visit you soon’ and is signed ‘A friend’.

West Beach on Main Street, Cobh, from the Adrian Healy collection. This postcard has not been stamped or postmarked in any way but on the reverse the following is written ‘Near Railway Station, on right side of juncture, shop where I got the portrait (pencil).’

A postcard of Heron’s Cove, Goleen, published by Sue Hill’s Heron’s Cove B & B and Restaurant (photography by John Eagle).

This postcard view of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral from the John James collection is one of an ‘Oilette’ series from the Raphael Tuck & Sons company.

A Millar & Lang ‘National Series’ postcard from the John James collection. This postcard was never posted; however, on the other side, in pencil, the following is written: ‘For Alfi e also / cards.’

From the John James collection, this army camp card was published by WE Mack of Hampstead (London). The following is written on the reverse:

‘Dear Auntie, just a line to say I arrived safe & sound after a 36 hours journey. The reason they called us back is, we are leaving here for Tidworth on Tues night, or Wed morning, instead of Friday night. Do not write back, I will let you know my new address as soon as possible. I am, Lovingly yours (name illegible). Remember me to all at Home. Goodnight.’

All images taken from Love from Cork: Postcards of the City & County by Perry O’Donovan, published by The Collins Press, 2013.