Summary

Postcard featuring sepia image looking down Elizabeth Street Melbourne and includes a handwritten message.

It is one of sixty seven postcards dated from the 5 January 1904 to 16 April 1907, all addressed to James Baird Scott and his family living in Paisley, Scotland. Fifty three of the cards are sent from Victoria, Australia, by Marion Flinn and her family and feature Melbourne landmarks and suburbs, scenes from Victoria and New South Wales. Fourteen postcards are sent from various international locations including South Africa, Nigeria, India, Singapore and western Europe apparently by extended members of James Baird's family either holidaying or working.

Physical Description

Black and white postcard, with round image of Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Street scene with horse carriages. Hand writing around the image.Reverse side with hand written address and date stamp. Stamp was removed.

Significance

This collection of early 20th century postcards provides an invaluable pictorial record of urban and rural landscapes in Melbourne,Victoria and New South Wales. It also captures the social and political attitudes and observations of one Melbourne family, relating to domestic and social life, literature, politics, and Australian culture. Themes such as nationalism, the postiion of women and prejudices surrounding Aboriginal Australians, global shipping and communication are also referenced by both the visual iconography and the commentary on the postcards.

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Home & Community, Leisure, Information & Communication, Images & Image Making, Public Life & Institutions

  • Acquisition Information

    Donation from Moreen Shields, Jun 2011

  • Sender

    Marion Flinn, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 Jan 1904

  • Addressed To

    Anna Scott, Scotland, 5 Jan 1904

  • Inscriptions

    Printed: Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Handwritten text: 37 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 5th Jan 1904 'My dear Anna, your father asked me to send Nettie or you a postcard from Australia, and I am sending Nettie and you one each. After this I shall send you cards turn about and if by any chance I should forget which got the last & should send two to the same little cousin running will you first tell me and I shall send the dear little maiden whom I have missed a double share. You know Anna, mothers do forget sometimes for their heads are so full of new dresses and pinnies, and such big holes to mend and darn and such lots of dinners to cook and rooms to clean and clothes to wash and mangle and iron that it is a wonder our heads do not grow as big as a dome, and so that is why we forget sometimes. On Nettie's card you enter Melbourne from the West while in yours it is the South entrance over the Queen's bridge. I shall send you views of the Swanston St entrance over Princess bridge and then you will not lose your way when you come. kindest love to mother and Baby brother and of yourself from cousin Marion' Miss Anna Scott No. 3 Macintyre Place Paisley Scotland

  • Classification

    Communications, Postal, Correspondence

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    History

  • Type of item

    Document

  • Overall Dimensions

    139 mm (Width), 89 mm (Height)
    landscape

  • Keywords

    Civic Life, Correspondence, Melbourne Landmarks, Postcards, Scottish Communities, Scottish Immigration, Streets, Streetscapes, Urban Landscapes