Why Instagram can’t capture postcard memory: New exhibition planned for Adelaide

Instagram hasn’t quite topped off the humble postcard just yet, with many people dedicated to keeping it alive. See some of the oldest Adelaide postcards here.

For long-serving retired public servant David Figg, a picture postcard provides a snapshot of history Instagram will never capture.

The Adelaide-based Australian Postcard Society president is among an avid group of international enthusiasts determined to preserve the postal treasure that tells a story beyond the picture printed on front.

“Postcards are snapshots of history, there is the social history of the era, buildings and places, people, costumes,” Mr Figg, 70, said.

“So much of electronic stuff is here today and gone tomorrow but a postcard is something tangible you can hold on to … it is something you can refer to, show to your children in future generations – (postcards) should be retained at all costs.”

Mr Figg said the most valuable postcard – purchased by a collector in 2002 for about $60,0000 – was one sent by composer Theodore Hook Esq. to himself in 1840.

“It is considered to the be oldest postcard in the world,” Mr Figg said.

Whilea picture postcard of the Titanic now up for auction is expected to sell for about $20,000, he said.

“It was written by the Titanic’s senior radio operator just weeks before the ocean liner sank in the North Atlantic,” Mr Figg said.

A photo copy of a postcard, provided by RR Auction, with a message written in March 1912 by the Titanic's senior wireless operator Jack Phillips. (RR Auction via AP)

Mr Figg said the popularity of postcards grew from the middle of the 1800s to reach a postcard-sending heyday in the middle of the twentieth century.

“By the turn of last century, in the 1900s, they were well in vogue right throughout Europe and were a common form of communication between friends and loved ones,” he said.

“A lot of people collected them as well with many having special albums to store them in.”

Today an international membership-based organisation called Postcrossing seeks to keep the art of postcard writing and receiving alive, with members sending postcards to others across the globe.

Australian Postcard Society President David Figg describes postcards as a ‘snapshot of history’. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Figg seeks out postcards featuring steam trains to send his young grandson.

“He is mad keen on steam trains, so whenever we go away we make sure we get a postcard with a steaming train on it and send it to him,” he said.

He also collects postcards with a particular interest in matchbox covers and historical events, including a favourite, a postcard he has of the 1900 Hoboken Docks fire in New Jersey.

Mr Figg will be displaying it as part of a postcard and matchbox exhibition planned for Adelaide in the first weekend of May.

To be held at the Drill Hall, Torrens Parade Ground, almost 60 trading tables will be set up.

“The hall will be chock-a-block full … we’ve also invited people from interstate with stamp collections, there will be coins and bank notes as well,” Mr Figg said.

“A variety of topics will be on show with collectors each having their own subjects … you name a subject, and you will find it on a picture postcard.”

Rundle Street, Adelaide (looking east) circa 1900

Note the horse-drawn double decker tram and the unpaved road. An era when all vehicles

were horse drawn.

Postcard: Rundle Street Adelaide looking East circa 1900.

Women’s Work Exhibition, 1907

This exhibition was held in the now World Heritage -listed Royal Exhibition Buildings in

Melbourne. The PMG Department set up a special Post Office complete with special cancel.

Postcard: Women's work exhibition 1907.

Adelaide Hills Railway Viaduct circa 1910

Real photographic postcard by Gordon Walker, Adelaide. The viaduct was built in 1883 and

formed part of the main line from Adelaide to Melbourne from 1887 to 1919 when heavier

engines made the viaducts unsafe. Dismantled in 1920.

Postcard: Adelaide Hills Railway Viaduct circa 1910.

Coopers Brewery, Upper Kensington, Adelaide (postmarked 15 Oct 1912)

These premises were established by Thomas Cooper at Upper Kensington (now Leabrook)

in 1881. Today they are based in Regency Park, Adelaide, and are the largest Australian-

owned brewery.

Postcard: Coopers Brewery Upper Kensington 1912.

Vickers Vimy aircraft at Butler & Kauper Aerodrome, Northfield, SA 1920

The famous Vickers Vimy aircraft (now at Adelaide Airport) flown by Sir Ross and Sir Keith

Smith, pictured with their mechanics Jim Bennett and Wally Shiers on their 1919 epic journey from England to Australia. Now reputed by international historians to be one of the most important aviation artefacts on the planet.

Postcard: Vickers Vimy aircraft at Butler & Kauper Aerodrome, Northfield 1920.

Postcard: The Australian convict ship Success built in 1840 and destroyed by fire in 1946.

Australian Postcard Society president David Figg. Picture: Tom Huntley

The Australian Convict Ship “Success” – Built 1840, Destroyed by fire 1946

Wrongly credited with transporting prisoners from England to Australia, she actually did

serve as a floating jail in the 1850s (Port Philip Bay) and later (1891-1915) became a floating

museum showcasing the perceived horrors of the convict era visiting Brisbane, Adelaide,

Hobart and Sydney before travelling before travelling to the UK and USA.