Nowhere in Scotland can be called ‘a beauty spot’ if you believe C W S 1936 Beauty Spots of Britain because not one of the fifty subjects is north of Durham. But anyway how do you define a beauty spot? For many people they would be natural places, attractive to look at. CWS thought otherwise, and begin with eight cards featuring buildings in London – the Abbey, the Palace, Parliament, the Tower etc., before moving on to the likes of Caernarvon and Conway Castles, Chatsworth House and Durham Cathedral. More in keeping with the series title is a clutch of Lakeland views, Cheddar Gorge, the Peak District, the Broads and the Isles of Wight and Man. Descriptions on the other side give interesting backgrounds to the views, although we believe no. 38 confuses Lynton with the adjacent village of Lynmouth when it states “at the mouth stands Lynton on the coast far below.” The pictures are not as clear as they might have been, and perhaps a more appropriate title would have been ‘Interesting Buildings and Views’, but this is still a set well worth adding to your collection, in top condition and at a handy discount to catalogue price.

This set of M50 Beauty Spots of Britain issued by C W S in 1936 in finest collectable condition is catalogued at £17.50.