In the early 19th century, romanticism and the Gothic Revival reawakened interest in the King Arthur legend and medieval romances. A new code of ethics for nineteenth century gentlemen was shaped around the chivalric ideals that the "Arthur of romance" embodied.

Books based on this new interest began to filter to the masses. Pre-eminent among these books was by Alfred Lord Tennyson, whose work reached its peak of popularity in 1859 in the "Idylls of the King" reworking the entire narrative of Arthur's life for the Victorian era. By the end of the century, many more tales and poems, penned by different writers, were published, creating interest around the world into the twentieth century.

The tale of Tom Thumb was the primary manifestation of the eighteenth century King Arthur legend, rewritten after the publication of the "Idylls of the King". While Tom maintained his small stature and remained a figure of comic relief, his story now included more elements from the medieval Arthurian romances, and Arthur is treated more seriously and historically in these new versions.

When postcards went in their infancy, around 1903 -1907, a photographer by the name of Gerlach seized the fantasy theme as well. In his romantic view, beautiful women were posed in a dark dramatic world on or with horses. The postcards were a smash hit becoming one of the most popular themes of the day.

After Gerlachs' death, other postcard editors were inspired to continue the trend, producing thousands of images every year until about 1914, when due to the First World War, the reputation of chivalry was damaged and the interest in medieval manifestations and Arthur as chivalric role model waned.

The images shown are just a few examples of the great style and dramatic beauty photographers used to create a wonderfully romantic view of women and their horses.