Historical information

This is a card sent by the family of Samuel McDonald in 1922 thanking the Warrnambool Club members for their sympathy following a recent bereavement. The Warrnambool Club was established in 1873 as a gentlemen’s club and the Warrnambool Club building in Kepler Street which still stands today was erected in 1877. Samuel McDonald, a Justice of the Peace, died in Malvern, Melbourne, at the age of 78. His wife was Eliza Spiers McDonald. Samuel McDonald was buried in the Warrnambool Cemetery so it is presumed he was a resident of the city at one stage.

Significance

This card is of interest as it has a social history showing the type of bereavement card used in the 1920s. – a plain card with a black edging. These cards could be purchased in bulk with a blank sheet for inserting the relevant details. The connection to Samuel McDonald and the Warrnambool Club is also interesting.

Physical description

This is a small cream-coloured card with black edging. The card has printed material and a small slit in the top left hand corner indicating that it has been pinned to a notice board or wall.

Inscriptions & markings

‘The family of the late Mr Samuel McDonald return(s) sincere thanks for kind sympathy in their recent bereavement. December 1922’