Summary

This is a black & white postcard of the Exhibition Building circa 1950s, showing the southern facade from Rathdowne Street with a view of the garden beds to the south of the building. The postcard, which is unused, was printed as part of the Rose Series P 10713. This series was published by the Rose Stereograph Company, Armadale, Victoria.

By the late 1940s the Exhibition Building had fallen into a state of disrepair and was threatened by demolition. It was portrayed as a 'white elephant' in the press and condemned as a legacy of Victoria's 19th-century heyday. Leading public figures suggested that the building was no longer useful and that a new Melbourne Town Hall should be built in its place. However, a steady increase in exhibition frequency and attendance soon revived support for Australia's only large, indoor exhibition space.

Physical Description

A black & white photograph depicting a view of the Exhibition Building and gardens from Rathdowne Street. There are slender fence posts and street lamps in the foreground. On the reverse of the card there is an image of a rose as well as space to write a message, an address and to place a stamp. The card is unused.

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