Summary

Postcard featuring black and white image of Exhibition Building 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 image of Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Hand writing around the image. Reverse side with hand written address. Stamps were 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

  • Collection Names

    Royal Exhibition Building Collection

  • Collecting Areas

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

  • Acquisition Information

    Donation from Moreen Shields, Jun 2011

  • Sender

    Marion Flinn, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 May 1904

  • Addressed To

    Mr James B. Scott, paisley, Scotland, 10 May 1904

  • Inscriptions

    Printed: Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Handwritten text: Melbourne 10.5.04 'My dear Cousin. We were so pleased with your 3 cards this week - the view of the rear of Burn's cottage - and the quaint one of the High St which hugely delighted Jack - as well as that photo of 'Sam' and him whom he "loved like a very brother". The first time I saw these originals was on a beautiful day in July (3rd) in the company of that brightest of Cicerones- my dear Janet. that day was the first and only time i heard the sky talk. How lovely it all was and happy we were! It was good news to hear you enjoyed my "plan" letter and admired the cards from Australia. yet what view can give any idea of the intense clearness of the air- of the sunniness of the days or the exquisite blue of our sky? The coloured ones I sent lately are German prints of one of our best artists works- J. Turner- but what daubs they are after the originals.- how the haze of the dawn in "breaking camp" is spoiled by being laid on too thick! I am enchanted with the books I have in hand just now. W. Black's "Macleod of Fare" is a real treat and John Burroughs' "Literary Values". If you have not read the latter beg borrow or steal it! Before these two I had out "Under the Trees" by Hamilton Mabie (such a charming lover of nature) so a course of John Burroughs (being such a famous student of the same undying theme) is a fitting climax. I intend reading everything of Burroughs I can lay my hands on! You have not told me what you think of our "Public Lending Library" yet [/] how you would revel in it- "the vasty deep." I was so sorry I could not get out to post Nettie's card last week. Grandma Flinn just came into to get ready to go out- so of course I had to stay home. She is coming in on the 12th to stay here for the Winter. you would not believe how famously she and I get on together. (In whose cap think you should a feather be put?). The weather seems as if it will never break, such a lovely mild long summer we have had. Today - 10th May - is the anniversary of the day on which we sailed - 1890 - undoubtedly the most eventful day of my life. This building is about 20 minutes walk from here - in it the first federal Parliament was opened by Prince George. don't think I can squeeze more' Mr J. B. Scott 12 Hillview 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

    Buildings, Correspondence, Melbourne Landmarks, Postcards, Royal Exhibition Building, Scottish Communities, Scottish Immigration