Historical information

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying.

Significance

The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day.
This card is a rare image of the original aviary built in the Gardens in 1892.
The card also demonstrates how postcards were used as a method of contact in contrast to the contemporary use as souvenirs. The writer of the card, Polly, is anxious to receive a return postcard from Lila, writing that a reply should be sent that night.

Physical description

A black and white scene of a curving path with a square looking building at the centre. The 1894 MMBW plan shows that the building was triangular. The building is solid at ground level with the appearance of long vertical columns. The roof is light coloured and hip shaped with a finial at the apex. There is a garden set in the lawn on the left side of the image, shrubs and a palm at the left front corner of the building and tall trees in the background. The building is an aviary, which was built in north east section of the Gardens during 1892. The date of its removal is unknown.

Inscriptions & markings

Front: ‘GARDENS, WILLIAMSTOWN’. Reverse: Centre top: ‘Post Card’; Vertical on left side: ‘P. & W. Series’; Right side ‘Address Only’. The card is addressed to Lila of ‘Ferguson St, N Williamstown’ from Polly. In pencil ‘1908 or later’ (believed to be inserted by the vendor of the card).