They were once an important part of our holidays – a way of letting our friends and families know we were having a great time.

They were once an important part of our holidays – a way of letting our friends and families know we were having a great time.

Although the heyday of postcards may have come and gone, they remain as popular as ever with collectors, and more than 300 cards, including a number featuring scenes from north Suffolk, will go under the hammer this weekend.

Showcasing ladies strolling along Lowestoft pier in their Edwardian finery, and horse-drawn carriages congregating by the harbour, these evocative images of times gone by are all from two albums of old postcards.

More than 360 cards featuring scenes from Suffolk towns, villages, streets, rivers, pubs, schools, post offices and military buildings will go under the gavel at the sale organised by Lockdales of Martlesham on Sunday, January 26.

With the auctioneers witnessing what they describe as a big boom in the old postcard market, the private collection features a number of cards which could fetch close to £1,000.

The 368 cards include a variety of scenes from the past – including a number from Lowestoft and Kessingland – and such is their quality, the albums have been given a catalogue guide price of £550 to £600 each.

Auction manager James Sadler said: 'There is a big boom in the old postcard market in general, and at previous auctions they have been bought for way above guide prices.

'These two albums of Suffolk scenes are creating particular interest and I'm expecting keen competition for them on the day of sale.'

The study and collection of postcards – or deltiology to give it its official name – has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Lockdales' cataloguer Chris Elmy said the interest in old postcards came from collectors across the UK and beyond.

'Postcards attract lots of bids in our auctions,' he said. 'The majority of Suffolk towns are represented in this collection, which has an excellent range of 368 cards.

'This is a private collection housed in two albums. The cards are early to mid 20th century.'

Other lots in the sale with local interest include an album of mixed cards, featuring some from Norfolk and Suffolk, and a furthr lot which features four cards showing the damage caused by the Great Yarmouth Zeppelin Raid in 1915.

To view the full catalogue, visit www.lockdales.com/CCAuctionCatHub2.htm