Floral bordered postcards of Melbourne

These are part of my postcard collection - a series of views of Melbourne with a pretty border of 

native flowers. The views are a fairly standard, and seen on other postcards. I am sure the addition of the border was just a marketing exercise to encourage the purchase of more postcards to fuel the postcard collection craze of c.1904 to the start of the First World War. The marketing tactic clearly worked, because over 100 years later I bought these from Ebay. I have another pretty series of Melbourne postcards - ones with a forget-me-not flower decorated horseshoe, you can see these here. 

Treasury Gardens, Melbourne

Treasury Gardens, Melbourne.

I have written about the Treasury Gardens, here on  a post about Postcards 

connected to Carlo Catani.

The postcard has not been used.  

Princes Bridge Melbourne

Princes Bridge, Melbourne.

This bridge was opened October 1888. Carlo Catani was the assistant engineer on the project, 

for the Public Works Department, read about this here.  

Carlo also designed the Alexandra Gardens, read about them, here. 

Postmark: North Melbourne, stamp removed.

Address: Miss Ella Baigent, East Takaka, Nelson New Zealand.

Text: Chapman Street 12.5.07. Thanks very much for your very pretty view. Can you send me any of your public buildings, churches etc. I am collecting a representative book of buildings and would 

be so pleased if you could. Hope you are quite well. Fond love, Fanny M. Fidler.

Princes Bridge, Melbourne, verso.

Ella Baigent - An Ella Millicent Baigent was born in New Zealand in 1878 and an Ella May Baigent was born there in 1888. Either of them may the recipient of the postcard, but more likely the older one.

Fanny M. Fidler, Chapman Street, North Melbourne  - Fanny Mary Fidler as born in Wangaratta in 1878 to Joseph and Elizabeth (nee Ramsay) Fidler. She was the fifth of their eight children, who were all born between 1869 and 1889; her siblings were all born in Melbourne, Carlton or North Melbourne. The family lived at 24 Chapman Street and her father, who was a miller, was accidently drowned  at Cumberoona in New South Wales on March 30, 1898 at the age of 65.  Elizabeth died two years later, aged 55.  In the 1903 Electoral Roll, Fanny (occupation, home duties) was living at 24 Chapman Street with her brothers, John and Joseph.  

Fanny married William George Iffland, an Accountant, in 1908. In the 1909 Electoral Roll they were at 21 Victoria Road, Auburn. Sadly, it turns out that William was already married and he pleaded guilty to bigamy in a trial at the Supreme Court in April 1911. His lawful wife,  Rosa, whom he married in 1890 and had four children with, was still alive and living in Princes Hill. He was sentenced to eighteen months in gaol, the Judge noting that he had ruined the young woman with who he went through a second form of marriage, but he had also ruined the prospects of his own wife. In the 1914 to 1936 Electoral Rolls Fanny was listed at 83 Wright Street, Middle Park, still under the name of Iffland; her brother John Fidler was listed at the same address. Fanny died in 1943, aged 64. (1)

Melbourne from Fire Station Tower

Melbourne from Fire Station Tower. 

The fire station, located on the corner of Victoria and Gisborne Streets, 

was opened November 3, 1893. 

Postmark: Wycheproof August 17, 1906

Address: Miss Dot Skinner, Training College Carlton Melbourne 

Text: Dear Dot, you might relieve my most anxious mind as to the bruises. Have you heard from Roy? My boss man is leaving me in charge for  a few days as his mother is dying so he's going to Maryboro.  Farewell social to Rene Currie last night got home at 1.15 Monday and Euchre + dance (humiliation) and send off to the Kinahans who are going to Sale. Many kind regrets that you were absent last night. Love from ?

Melbourne from Fire Station Tower, verso.

Dot Skinner - I have no other information about Dorothy. I assume she was undertaking teacher training, as the Teacher's Training College was in Grattan Street, Carlton, and thought she may have been found in the Teacher Records (1863-1959, Series 13579) at the Public Records Office of Victoria  but she is not listed. 

Rene Currie - is likely to be Florence Irene Currie born in 1888 to John and Margaret (nee Quihampton). She was born in Moliagul, but her siblings Evelyn Mary (1889), Olive May (1891), John Gilbert (1894), and Wilfred Roy (1896) were born in Wycheproof. Rene died in Sydney on December 29, 1951. 

The Kinahans - the 1906 Electoral Rolls have  a Kate, Kathleen Frances and Walter Patrick at Wycheproof  - Walter is a railway ganger; Kathleen is a dressmaker and Kate is listed as home duties. In the 1909 Electoral Rolls Kate and Walter are listed at Wurruk Wurruk, just west of Sale. Kathleen married Eustace Leonard Wheare in 1906, a Wycheproof local. (2).

Federal Government House - Melbourne

Federal Government House - Melbourne

Government House, was built between 1872 and 1876, for the use of the Governor of the Colony 

of Victoria. After Federation, between1901 and 1926, it was the residence of Governor General 

of Australia

Source: Victorian Heritage Database, see here.

Postmark: Rupanyup, June 5 1907

Address:  Miss Wade 219 Cardigan Street Carlton  

Text: 4.6.07   Dear Daph, I thought you know a style to suit the stuff. I shall be pleased with what ever way you make it. Love Aunt Pat (?)  

Federal Government House - Melbourne, verso

The first reference to Daphne Wade in the Electoral Rolls was in 1909 at Rupanyup. Her occupation was home duties, but it appears she may have been  a dressmaker, either by profession or a talented amateur, going by the postcard. Daphne Florence Wade married Louis Sylvester Crawford, a bootmaker, in 1913. They had three children - Leonard Lewis (1914), Winifred Lucy (1917) and Alfred Derrick (1918).  The family lived at addresses in North Fitzroy and Preston and then at 20 Wales Street, Northcote. Daphne died in 1928, aged 45 - a tragic event as the children were only 14, 11 and ten years old;  Louis died in 1937 aged 61.

Daphne was the daughter of  Alfred and Martha (nee Derrick) Wade. Alfred and Martha are in the 1909 Electoral Roll at Lallat, just north east of Rupanyup and are later living in Rupanyup.  Martha died January 26, 1951 at Rapunyup; Alfred had already passed on. Their children were listed in the death notice as - Daphne, Alfred, Lucy, Rupert, Dorothy, Ellen, Beatrice and Bertha (3). 

Botanical Gardens, Melbourne. The building is Government House. 

This postcard has not been used.

Footnotes

(1) Information about Ella Baigent and Fanny Mary Fidler from the New Zealand and Victorian 

Indexes to Births, Deaths and Marriages;  Joseph Fidler's death notice - The Age, April 2, 1898, see here ; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry. Reports of William Fidler's Bigamy case - The Age, May 13, 1911, see here; The Herald, April 20, 1911, see here; Ballarat Star, April 14, 1911, see here.

(2) Information about Dot Skinner, Rene Currie and the Kinahans from the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry. Rene Currie's sister's (Evelyn Young) obituary in the Dubbo Liberal of December 16, 1944, see here told me she was in Sydney and her 

death notice was in the Sydney Morning Herald, January 3, 1952, see here.

(3) Information about Daphne Wade - Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.

Forget-me-not flower decorated horseshoe postcards of Melbourne

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.