Desperate to take a selfie? Well, the obsession began eons ago

London: A vintage collection of selfies taken 100 years ago has been discovered in a British seaside town, indicating that the craze is not a recent phenomenon.

The treasure trove of snaps from 1915 was found recently in Penzance, Cornwall. They show holidaymakers and local people posing for portraits at the start of the 20th century.

Shots range from posh ladies to young boys with cigarettes poking out of their mouths. The fascinating collection, believed to be among the earliest selfies, was uncovered by local Rotary Club president Jon Symons, The Sun reported.

They are in stark contrast to the typical modern day celebrity selfie. They were known as sticky backs due to the sticky gum which could be moistened like a stamp to attach to postcards and sent to friends. Jon is not sure of the exact date but traced a local paper advertisement to a shop in Penzance in 1915.

The discovery of the fascinating selfies prove that the craze is not a recent phenomenon, the report said.