Summary

Postcard featuring sepia image of Exhibition Building in 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

Sepia postcard, with image of Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Hand writing around the image. Reverse side with hand written address and parts of date stamp. 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

  • 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, 24 May 1904

  • Addressed To

    Mr James B. Scott, Paisley, Scotland, 24 May 1904

  • Inscriptions

    Printed: Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Robert Jolley. Melb Handwritten text: Melbourne 24.5.04 'My dear Cousin, Yesterday there came from you the loveliest card I have yet seen- "The forest of Knockfarrel" I can't say how much I enjoyed it or how delightful was your message. I just gloat over such beauty. Today was my ironing day so I rested your pc against the clock on the mantel shelf, and I wonder how many times my eyes strayed thither? It is on my best book now and after every word or two I turn to it for inspiration- it is exquisite and reminds me of pictures I have seen of the pines at Walderry (but these) before me are furs- are they not? I have been waiting for the question you asked "are we not taxing your good nature etc" for that is just what I have been wondering. Am I not taxing you? so I waited on making perfectly sure you would yet ask what was in my mind. Let me answer you thus: It would be quite impossible for you to tax my good nature.. no cousin! it is too great a pleasure and I am just thinking that I believe my cards give you as much pleasure as yrs do to me. It took me some time to arrive at, for the idea was almost inconceivable that anyone could be so blessed as I. Chill weather has come although just now there is scarcely a cloud in the sky and mid-winter not a month off. My dearest love to you all and many thanks from Marion' Mr J. B. Scott 12 Hillview Paisley Scotland

  • Classification

    Communications, Postal, Correspondence

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    History

  • Type of item

    Document

  • Overall Dimensions

    140 mm (Width), 90 mm (Height)
    landscape

  • Keywords

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