Item HT 30623 Postcard - 'To My Dear Mother', Embroidered, Cairo, World War I, 12 May 1917

Summary

Embroidered postcard with muslin flap with two smaller rectangular cards inside. The postcard features the embroidered message 'To My Mother' and a short note to state that the sender is 'well and happy' and 'going out soon'. The identity of the sender and recipient remains unknown.

According to the Australian War Memorial, the popularity of embroidered postcards (first made for the Paris Exposition in 1900) peaked during World War I. Many were 'embroidered by French women in their homes and then sent to the factories for cutting and mounting on postcards'. Common themes included family, remembrance, liberty, unity and war souvenirs.

Description of Content

Upper piece of muslin displays four purple flowers with yellow centres with surrounding leaves; the flower in the centre is in a brown basket. The lower piece of muslin has an inscription in blue cursive text. One rectangular card contains an image on a human-like rabbit wearing a bag and hat, holding a gun, being watched by another rabbit and a monkey; another rabbit runs above them.

Physical Description

A cardboard postcard with two pieces of muslin with blue lining attached to the top and bottom of corrugated cardboard border. Colourful images and text sewn onto muslin. Top piece lifts up to reveal two rectangular cards tucked into lower piece of muslin. One rectangular card has a printed image and text on the front and a blank back; the other has a black diagonal printed message on the front, and upside-down handwritten text on the back. The back of the postcard contains a dividing-back, printed text and handwritten numbers.

Significance

Embroidered postcards were very popular during World War I, with common themes including family, remembrance, liberty and unity. Their popularity began to wane after the war and they are not found after c.1923, making embroidered postcards a souvenir unique to World War I.