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.

Physical description

Colour postcard of garden beds with man (gardener) standing beside tree with a sign on it on right side of card. A path is in the foreground with rocks standing at the edge.

Inscriptions & markings

Front: ‘Botanic Gardens, Williamstown’. Reverse: ‘POST CARD’ centre top of card, underlined with a dividing line down the centre of the card. ‘This Space may be used for Correspondence.’ on left side of line; ‘For Address Only.’ and ‘155/103598’ inside dotted lines to indicate stamp placement. In pencil on top right corner ‘1906 SLV’ (believed to be inserted by the vendor).