Historical information

The handwritten names on the reverse of this postcard - Kevin Hogan, Gwen Asling, Kevin Teasdale, and Chris Britton - are all individuals associated with the museum (to varying degrees), seemingly confirming their assessment that this postcard is mistitled and its image is not in fact of Emerald. They were likely correct, indicating that Rose Stereography may have made a mistake. It is difficult to determine how unusual this was; Rose made more than ten thousand postcards, so it is entirely possible some were not checked sufficiently. The reference number P. 1629 was reused at least two more times.

Significance

While the image on this postcard may not actually be of Emerald, the fact that it is mislabeled as such still tells us about the perception of Emerald at the time of publication - that of a growing rural town amidst hills and trees.

Physical description

This postcard displays a sepia photograph with agricultural space - a field, fences, and trees - in the foreground, and a collection of buildings on a road rising on a hill in the background. Printed text below the image introduce the series and location, while the reverse features a medium-sized rose (a midpoint in the evolution of Rose postcards) and printed text but no message written.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
Bottom Left: "THE ROSE SERIES, P. 1629 / Copyright"
Bottom Center: "THE TOWNSHIP OF EMERALD, VICTORIA"

Reverse:
Printed, Top: "REAL PHOTO POST CARD / THE "ROSE" SERIES DE LUXE PRODUCED IN AUSTRALIA"
Printed, Left Side: "PUBLISHED BY 'THE ROSE STEREOGRAPHS' / Armadale, Victoria"
Handwritten, Center-Left: "NOT EMERALD / - KEVIN HOGAN / - GWEN ASLING / - KEVIN TEASDALE / - CHRIS BRITTON"
Handwritten, Stamp Box: "$12"