Summary
Postcard featuring sepia oval image of sunset at Williamstown Melbourne with sailing boats 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 oval image of sunset behind sailing boats in Williamstown, Melbourne. Hand writing around the image. Reverse side with hand written address and date stamps. One of the two stamps 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
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Collecting Areas
Home & Community, Leisure, Information & Communication, Images & Image Making, Public Life & Institutions
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Moreen Shields, Jun 2011
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Sender
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Addressed To
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Inscriptions
Printed: Sunset, Williamstown. Handwritten text: Melbourne 29.3.04 'My dear cousin now imagine my delight when on Monday I received a handful of letters and cards amongst them one card from you acknowledging my letter and saying no end of kind things about me. Aunt Eliz. Grace just did the same, is there a conspiracy on foot to try and spoil me? How pretty the Coat's Memorial Ch. is. I remember reading about it's beauties when it was built. Its tower is lovely like St Giles Ed. We have only one tower like that in Melbourne I shall not spoil the shadows on Hobson's Bay by my writing. In much hast but with many thanks and always with love- Marion. There was great joy on Wednesday when the girls saw the cards from you Anna and Nettie and I'm to tell you all that they will answer them next week and thank you themselves. Janet and Isobel have been so busy at 81 Tues in the Catechism and I'm so glad they both passed- Tea, meeting friends as tomorrow!' Mr Scott 3 Mc Intyre Place Paisley Scotland
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
139 mm (Width), 88 mm (Height)
landscape
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Keywords
Correspondence, Landscapes, Postcards, Sailing Vessels, Scottish Communities, Scottish Immigration, Ships, Suburbs
