Charles Leonard Lofthouse (b.1883) was born in Nassau, New Providence, Bahama Islands. Born to Thomas Hilton Cheesborough Lofthouse and Elizabeth Ann Lofthouse (nee Menendez), he was a singer, songwriter, musician and businessman. Known as one of the pioneers of Goombay music, he wrote songs including: Bahama Mama, Mama Don’t Want No Peas Or Rice, Moonlight Nights in Nassau and Goombay Drum.
With his brother, Alexander Lofthouse, he co-founded the Lighthouse Group Ltd which included the Lofthouse Agency and the Lofthouse Record Company. The Lofthouse Agency, established c.1959 serviced the Bahamas with newspapers, magazines and a photo service.
Postcards
After the demise of the American News Co. (ANC) in 1957, Lofthouse Agency Ltd began publishing the images used by ANC postcards from 1959 until 1964, with Colorpicture Publishers Inc printing the cards. Additional series of cards were also produced.
In 1965 it was announced that Calypso Distributors Ltd had signed a deal with Colorpicture to distribute their postcards and Lofthouse Agency ceased publishing postcards. In 1965, Lofthouse began distributing John Hinde Ltd postcards.
There are six versions of backings identified and are listed per the earliest seen postmarks:
- Type A (1959) – Lofthouse Agency Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas. Phone 4183 (Black)
- Type B (1960) – Lofthouse Agency Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas. Phone 8041 (Black)
- Type C (1961) – Lofthouse Agency Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas. Phone 8041 (Red)
- Type D (1962) – Lofthouse Agency Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas. (Red)
- Type E (1962) – Lofthouse Agency Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas. Phone 95321 (Red)
- Type F (1964) – Lofthouse Agency Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas. Phone 95321 (Black)
In addition, from Type D, there are three additional Colorpicture imprint styles:
- Type X – Boston 15 (from Types A to E)
- Type XA – Boston (from Types D to E)
- Type XB – Boston 30 (from Types E to F)
Type A
Type B
Type C
Type D
Type E (15)
Type EA
Type EB (30)
Type FB (30)
Postcard Folders
1965
In 1965, the company started using cards by John Hinde Ltd:
Follow Me!
To Whom it May Concern,
I am a 3rd generation Miamian and recently attended a Garden Club tour and purchased 3 lovely plates depicting scenes of Nassau, Bahamas. They were donated by a long time member of the Garden Club.
Inscribed on the back of each plate describes the scenes; Sandy Cay with its beaches and coconut trees, Hog Island Lighthouse and water skiers and Paradise Beach. Also inscribed is “Created Exclusively for Lofthouse, Limited, Nassau, Bahamas, Distributors and “Hand Colored”. They are lovely plates and I am going to put them up on a wall in my house but was hoping to find information about the Lofthouse and have not been able to do so despite my online research.
Do you know of the Lofthouse? Any information on it would be much appreciated.
Warm regards,
Elise Gerrard
Hi Elise – I only know they were distributors of goods. Try the Facebook group Bygone Bahamas. Lots of knowledgeable people there. 🙂