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The first postcard, with a similar shape of that of today’s, was sent by the public postal service in Austria on 1st October 1869. It stemmed from the desire for a cheaper and more practical method for shorter, more efficient communication. With the founding of the General Postal Union (later the Universal Postal Union) in 1874, a standard postal rate was set, therefore it became easier to send cards abroad.
images of Newry and the surrounding area, including
Newry Cathedral, Narrow Water and the Craigmore
Viaduct. Newry & Mourne Museum Collection
Postcards originally had space for the address on one side and the message on the other. The boom in photography and cheaper, high quality printing methods meant that pictures began to be introduced on the message side in the 1890’s, and from 1902 onwards, space was authorised on the address side to write text.
Between 1895 and 1920 the purchasing, sending and collecting of picture postcards became a trend in Ireland as well as many other countries. Their visual appeal also made them suitable as souvenirs, gifts and collectables.
Newry and Mourne Museum hold many postcards in their collection. A postcard date stamped 1950, was sent to Mr. and Mrs. P. Duffy, 87 Church Street, Newry. It featured a colour image of Pope Pius XII, sent from Vatican City, it simply stated “In my thought at Rome, Mary.”
M. Bethell sent a postcard from the Valentine Series to Miss W. Harold 24 Chestnut Grove, Higher Tremere, Birkenhead in the early 20th century. The image shows the Mourne Hotel and Woodside, Rostrevor. The message reads, “Dear Miss Winnie, this is the most delightful spot, a quaint little village of rustic villagers. The children go to school at 10 o’clock and leave at 2 o’clock. They wear no shoes or stockings, which is a great saving considering the stones and small pebbles they have to walk over. Hoping to hear from you soon. Yours sincerely, M. Bethell.”
Collection. On the left is the Royal Hotel. Newry & Mourne Museum Collection
Another postcard from the Valentine Series was addressed to Dr Sinclair, Sick Asylum, Hendon, London. The image on the front is of Trevor Hill, Newry. The message on the reverse, “Just a line to let you see an old favourite. Hope you are well, from Och.”
The Murray Collection housed in Newry and Mourne Museum, includes numerous postcards. From Acton, near Poyntzpass, Charles Murray joined the Royal Air Force in 1936. He initially trained in England but, by early 1939, was in Palestine where he spent the early years of the Second World War. However, by 1943 Sergeant Murray was being stationed at various RAF Stations in Britain and Northern Ireland. He was killed on the night of 30 August 1944 when the Lancaster Bomber, on which he was a Flight Engineer, was shot down during a bombing raid on Stettin in Poland. Charles sent a postcard to his sister Annie dated 5th November 1938 with the image of the HMT Neuralia. He wrote “Dear Annie, I sail at 2 o’clock today, I will write as soon as possible, give my love to all the family. Yours, Charles”.
The Museum also has a number of postcards from the Lawrence Series, the single most significant collection in the early development of postcards in Ireland, beginning in 1865.
Once called ‘Bladensburgh’, the building was designed by William Deane Butler of
Dublin for the widow of General Ross in memory of her husband. Newry & Mourne
Museum Collection
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the main exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling their Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Visit their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
