This is my collection of postcards with the Forget-me-not flower decorated horseshoes and scenes of Melbourne. I just love them. The horseshoe is a symbol of good luck. According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (first published 1870 (1)) one day the Devil asked St Dunstan, who was noted for his skill in shoeing horses to shoe his single hoof. Dunstan, knowing who his customer was, tied him tightly to the wall and proceeded with the job, but purposely put the Devil to so much pain that he roared for mercy. Dunstan at last consented to release his captive on condition that he would never enter a place where a horseshoe was displayed. So far, I have nine of these postcards and I feel that would be enough to protect me from the Devil. Having said that, if I come across any others, I will add them to my collection because they are just delightful!
Only one of the cards has a date on it - from 1920, but I believe they were most likely made in the heyday of postcard collecting which was around 1904 until the start of the First World War. They were printed in Germany. At first glance they all look the same, but there are actually five different flower designs. I have another series of pretty postcards, see them here.
St Pauls Cathedral, Melbourne
St Pauls Cathedral, Melbourne
The building of the Cathedral, on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, commenced in 1880 and it was consecrated in January 1891. It was designed by English Architect, William Butterfield, and the construction was supervised by Melbourne architects, Terry and Oakden, and later Joseph Reed. It is described as High Victorian Gothic style. The towers and spires were designed by James Barr, the construction of which started in April 1926 and was completed in April 1933.
Source: Victorian Heritage Database, see here.
The text on the back of this postcard, which was sent in an envelope, as it it does not have a stamp or postmark reads -
Dear Mum, Received P.cards. I am sending a bit of print for Dot. I made Clem two dresses of same, it looks nice made up. Glad your foot is better. We are having very warm weather. Everyone think Clem looks better after his holiday, he is full of tricks now. Well hoping this will find all well, with love to Dot and all. Your ever loving dau, Eth. Did you get ointment, we find it so good.
Parliament House, Melbourne
Parliament House, Melbourne.
Parliament House was built in six stages from 1856 to 1892. The first sitting of Parliament was held there on November 25, 1856. Previous to this, Parliament sat at St Patrick's Hall in Bourke Street.
The Victorian Heritage Database citation for Parliament House is here.
This postcard has not been used.
Fire Brigade Station, Melbourne
Fire Brigade Station, Melbourne.
Located on the corner of Victoria and Gisborne Streets, it was opened November 3, 1893. The new Fire Station opened in 1979 and parts of the original building are still used for offices and for a museum.
Source: eMelbourne, see here.
This postcard was sent to Alice Drayton, of Jumbuk in Gippsland. I have written about the family, here.
St Kilda Pier
St Kilda has always been a prime tourist location, so it is not surprising that there would be at least two postcards of the town. This one is on the Pier, and the one below of the St Kilda beach.
The text on the back of this postcard, which was sent in an envelope (or perhaps hand delivered), as it it does not have a stamp or postmark reads -
To Amy, Wishing you a merry Christmas, from. That's all it says, does not list the sender.
St Kilda Beach
St Kilda Beach.
The text on the back of this postcard, which was sent in an envelope, as it it does not have a stamp or postmark reads -
Miss Bell Cranstoun
Dear Bell, just a card, hoping you are well and happy, also Mrs Goulden. I haven't heard from Dad since, I will write to you as soon as I hear from him. Willie's cold is a lot better and the rest are all well, all the neighbours wish to be remembered to you. I have not heard from Mrs Willis recently, no one has been about to see the house lately. Now I must close with love and kisses from all. Kind regards to Mr and Mrs Goulden, from Mother.
The writing appears to be in biro and I feel was written much later than after the postcard was originally produced. The 1937 and 1943 Electoral Rolls have a Bell Cranstoun, a bank clerk, living at 33 Cromwell Road, South Yarra with a Margaret, a secretary and a Jessie, home duties. Bell was born in 1916 and Margaret in 1909 to George Elliott and Jessie (nee Haig) Cranstoun. In 1949 Bell was in the Electoral Roll at Red Cross Cottage, Lambell Terrace, Darwin, her occupation was a Secretary, so the card was possibly written to her in Darwin.
Other children of George Elliott Cranstoun and Jessie Haig were - James Haig (1907-1922), unnamed son (1910-1910), Robert Stirling (1911-1922), Colin Campbell (1914-1922). Tragedy struck the family on August 14, 1922 when the father, who was a doctor, poisoned his entire family with morphine, having told them he was testing out a new influenza vaccination. He died, along with the three boys and Gladys Bayliss who was living in the house. Mrs Cranstoun and Margaret and Bell survived. Read the accounts of the Inquest here and here. I did not expect that this pretty postcard would uncover such a tragic story.
Jessie Cranstoun died at Cromwell Road, April 9, 1955, aged 71. Her death notice listed a brother, William, possibly the Willie referred to in the postcard. The reference to Dad is possibly referring to her father. Her daughter Margaret died 1972, aged 63, she had never married. Jessie is buried at the Brighton Cemetery with her three sons and her husband. Margaret was cremated at Springvale. Bell is listed as Mrs D. L. Meek in her mother's death notice. Her husband was Douglas Louis Meek, he died February 1974 and Bell died October 1, 1982 both in Queensland. (2).
River Yarra near Melbourne
This is Alexandra Avenue, with the Morrell Bridge (also known as the Botanical Bridge) on the left.
Alexandra Avenue was officially opened in 1901. It was designed by Carlo Catani. The Morrell Bridge design was also conceived by Carlo Catani. My colleague, Isaac Hermann and I have written about the life and works of Carlo Catani in our Victorian Collections story, Carlo Catani: an engineering star over Victoria here.
This postcard has not been used.
River Yarra
Another view of Alexandra Avenue and the Yarra River.
This postcard has not been used.
Alexandra Avenue, Melbourne
The Alexandra Gardens were also designed by Carlo Catani and opened in 1904.
The Federation Star Bed is a feature of the Gardens, I have written about it, here.
The text on the back of this postcard, which was sent in an envelope, as it it does not have a stamp or postmark reads -
Addressed to - Miss McGrath, 310 Macquarie St, Hobart, Tasmania.
Newmarket, May 3. Dear Alice, I received your pretty P.C. I was sorry to hear father had been ill. I hope he is better before this. I see by the papers it is very cold over there now. Love from [illegible, looks like F. Fruher] There is an Alice McGrath (junior) a typiste in the 1919 Electoral at 412 Macquarie Street, listed with an Amy and an Alice and a John Joseph McGrath, I presume her sister and parents. This may be the Alice to whom the postcard was addressed.
Gardens near Princes Bridge, Melbourne
Alexandra Gardens. You can read about Carlo Catani's role in creating the Gardens in our previously mentioned Collections Victoria story, here.
The text on the back of this postcard, which was sent in an envelope, as it it does not have a stamp or postmark reads -
King Street, Dandenong November 18, 1920. Up Saturday evening. W.G.C. I have checked the Electoral Rolls, but cannot find a person with those initials in King Street.
Princes Bridge, Melbourne
Princes Bridge, Melbourne.
Carlo Catani also had a role in the construction of the Princes Bridge, which was officially opened on October 4, 1888. I have written about this here.
This postcard has not been used.
Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne
The Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne.
The Royal Exhibition Building was constructed in 1879-1880 to house the
International Exhibition of 1880.
The Victorian Heritage Database citation for the Exhibition Buildings is here.
This postcard has not been used.
Footnotes
(1) My edition of Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable was published by Cassell in 1967 and is the 10th edition.
(2) Information from the Victorian and Queensland Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages, the Electoral rolls and Mrs Cranstoun's death notice in The Argus, April 11, 1955, see here.
