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.

The logo in the middle of the words ‘POST CARD’ indicates the card was printed by M. Schulz in Prague. Schulz was a long-established company from Prague and printed postcards for customers from worldwide. Schulz printed in photo-chromolithography.

The Curator’s lodge, designed by the Town Surveyor, HV Champion, was constructed in 1907 following the re-organisation of the north-east corner with the demolition of the old curator's cottage and erection of new gates.

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.
The card also demonstrates how postcards were used as a method of contact in contrast to the contemporary use as souvenirs.

Physical description

A colour image of a house (the Curators lodge) behind a fence with two children sitting on it. There are two large Cordylines, one in the forefront of the image standing in lawn and surrounded by pink flowers, and one closer to the house. The house is brown timber with two brick chimneys and has a green corrugated iron roof with gables over the windows at the front and side.

Inscriptions & markings

Front: ‘The Lodge, / Williamstown Gardens’. Reverse: Centre top ‘POST CARD’ with a logo [MS] in the middle of the words; left side vertical ‘O. Rippon Series’; left side ‘This space may be used for communication.’; right side ‘For Address only.’; left side bottom ‘Printed in Germany’. There is a one penny red Tasmanian stamp on the top right hand corner. The card is addressed to ‘Miss E G Holford / 60 Upton St, / Launceston, / Tasmania.’ Top left corner in pencil ‘$10’ (believed to be inserted by the vendor.