In 1881 John Sands ran a competition to find illustrations of Australian Christmas scenes. Here is a long description of the competition and some results. CHRISTMAS CARDS. By the enterprise and … [Read more...]
Calendars – social history – $?
These pages are from a remarkable calendar devoted to German war crimes, each month recording its own tragedy. The manufacture was simple with the calendar strung up to the wall or door … [Read more...]
Commonwealth celebrations
MAY 1901 SAW MULTIPLE REASONS FOR EATING, DRINKING AND BEING MERRY with the opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament and the associated Royal visitors. The Royal Historical Society of Victoria has … [Read more...]
Happy New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HERE IS TO OUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO BE A MORE ACTIVE AND RESPONSIVE WEBSITE. We start with some recent and older posters and the like for new year's eve. Yes we had to look … [Read more...]
Political postcards, artist postcards – a case study
We asked a member about this valuing this postcard and he advised: This postcard is by one of the minor Australian artists who were working in the early 20th century providing their work to … [Read more...]
Prettier than twitter – postcard highlights from the ESA exhibition
* 1905 was an important year for Australian postcard writers – it was the year when the divided back was introduced and message s could be written on the verso. Rentoul Outhwaite's contribution … [Read more...]
Golf and war and medallions
IN WWI, GOLF CLUBS RAISED FUNDS AND AWARENESS OF ABSENT MEMBERS AT THE FRONT. We thank ESA member Leon Oldgolf (well known to many of you) for showing us this interesting piece of war and golf … [Read more...]
Advertising from the air – it’s logical
HERE IS A LOVELY ADVERTISING IDEA FROM 1937. The Australian Aviation Schools (Victorian Branch) had a lovely idea about how to advertise services in Melbourne. The aviation school, and its parent … [Read more...]
Recording the Show (Royal Melbourne Show)
THE AGRICULTURAL SHOWS ARE A MIX OF CONTINUITY AND EPHEMERA; LOTS OF TRADITION AND LOTS OF DELIBERATELY SHORT-LIVED EXPERIENCES AND PUBLICATIONS. Historian Kate Darian-Smith writes about the Royal … [Read more...]