Historical information

These items came from the estate of the Misses Ardlie, (Dorothy and Agnes). They are visiting cards for their father and themselves. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. Visiting cards were used for business purposes or when making formal calls to other families. These cards show two residences of Dorothy and Agnes – Aroona, 19 Princess Street and Little Wyton at 3 Nelson Street. Wyton was the name of one of Captain John Ardlie’s ships. The fact that the Misses Ardlie had visiting cards are an indication that they were two of the more affluent and high profile members of Warrnambool society in the 20th century.

Significance

These cards are of interest, firstly as an example of a visiting card used in the early to mid 20th century and secondly as mementoes of the Ardlie family of Aroona, Warrnambool.

Physical description

.1 These are 9 identical white visiting cards for Agnes Ardlie. The cards are rectangular in shape and have black cursive printing.
.2 These are 2 white visiting cards for Miss Ardlie. They are rectangular in shape and have black cursive printing and alterations in blue ink handwriting.
.3 These are 5 white visiting cards for Arthur Ardlie. One card is very discoloured. The cards are rectangular in shape and have black cursive printing and alterations in blue ink handwriting on two of them.