The Volunteer Organist, church service interior, Bamforth song card, circa 1905

Subjects: Christianity Churches Interiors
Card type: Real photo

Back of The Volunteer Organist, church service interior, Bamforth song card, circa 1905, London, England, United Kingdom, real photo postcard — Back

About this postcard

The photograph shows the interior of a stone-built church during a service: a clergyman in a white surplice stands at a reading desk beside a large, dark wood organ console, while the congregation — men, women in broad hats, and boys seated nearest the camera — fill the pews. The printed verse below names the scene "The Volunteer Organist," a sentimental recitation about an organist whose life story moves the congregation to tears. Bamforth & Co. of Holmfirth, England, was one of the most prolific publishers of such song and recitation cards in the early 20th century, pairing photographic scenes with licensed verses.

Postcard Details

Message

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PublisherBamforth & Co.

THE VOLUNTEER ORGANIST (3). Each eye shed tears within that Church, The strongest men grew pale: The organist in melody Had told his own life's tale; The sermon of the preacher Was no lesson to compare With that of life's example Who sat in the organ chair. WORDS BY KIND PERMISSION OF W. PAXTON, OXFORD STREET. LONDON. --- POST CARD THIS SIDE FOR ADDRESS. BAMFORTH'S REAL PHOTOS. Bamforth & Co., Publishers, Holmfirth and New York (Printed in England).

Addressed to

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Postcard record

Publisher	Bamforth & Co.
Series	41/3
Condition	Good
Place mentioned	London, England
Publisher	Bamforth & Co., Holmfirth, England
Notes	Sepia real-photo image with printed caption and verse below the picture; card number 41/3 at lower left and "BAMFORTH & CO" at lower right; two blue ink spots on the image. No postmark. Undivided back with printed "THIS SIDE FOR ADDRESS." and "BAMFORTH'S REAL PHOTOS." — Bamforth & Co. real-photo card, printed in England, c. 1902-1907. Two hole punches through the card; tan textured stock, otherwise clean.

Cite this card

The Volunteer Organist, church service interior, Bamforth song card, circa 1905, postcard, n.d.. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/the-volunteer-organist-church-service-interior-bamforth-song. Accessed October 25, 2026.