When every post was a winner
DELTIOLOGY is the official name for postcard collecting — one of the three largest collecting hobbies in the world, along with coins and stamps.
The collection of postcards is a serious business because they are one of our windows into history.
In 1865, Dr Heinrich von Stephan in Germany first suggested the concept of the postcard and 10 years later the first Australian postcard was sold at the Sydney post office.
Between 1875 and 1882 every state in Australia introduced official postcards.
On the back of each postcard was a pre-printed stamp specific for each state and space to write the address.
The front carried a simple illustration or decoration with space for a short message.
It was cheaper and quicker to send a postcard than a letter, but the message had to be brief.
During this time, it was socially unacceptable to write a personal message that was open for all to see so messages tended to be cliches such as ‘‘Wish you were here’’.
Mail was delivered a few times a day and the postcard was used for many purposes such as sending an order to a green grocer for a delivery or organising a ladies’ afternoon tea and staying in touch with relatives or friends interstate or overseas.
Collectors began keeping their favourite postcards and German pictorial postcards were considered the best for detail and colour.
From 1903-1909, known as the Federation era, Australian postcards featured bush scenes, rural life, animals, aviation, actors and even sports.
Australians began collecting cards that reflected their excitement of belonging to a newly formed nation.
Australian’s first test as a nation came during the horrors of World War I. Postcards were still in demand, but the subject matter became more serious. Propaganda and recruitment messages encouraged enlistment. Australians no longer wanted German postcards.
Australian postcard makers began to decorate cards with gum leaves, wattles, boomerangs and anything that reminded the troops overseas of home.
After World War II, Australians began travelling overseas and sending home postcards to keep their families up to date with their adventures.
Many collectors looked forward to cards from as many different countries as possible.
Stamp collectors also looked forward to stamps from overseas.
Today’s travellers are more likely to set up a blog online than send a postcard, but they are still everywhere advertising events, real estate, businesses and even recipes.
People in the future will look at collections of our postcards to find out what our lives were like.
Who would think that a postcard could give us so much insight into Geelong’s history?
The National Wool Museum is staging an exhibition highlighting Geelong’s past through postcards.
One class has the opportunity to win free entry to the Wish You Were Here exhibition.
To find out how to win and access student activities, go to http:/ /www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/ extras/student_activity.pdf?