POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Collection of greeting cards from France during World War I

Object No. 2010/19/1

Cards like this are important examples of personal communication from the the First World War. As indicated by a handwritten note accompanying the cards, they were sent by a soldier named Samuel Taylor in France to his wife, Lizzie Taylor in Australia, and are a reminder of the national sentiments that were common at the time. The correspondence is very formal, reflecting both the time, and perhaps the level of education of the soldier. The fact that they were preserved as treasures within a family for so long, indicates how important such brief notes were to the family at home. They are also beautiful examples of card design of the period and demonstrate the handiwork and dexterity of their makers. These cards complement other First Word War objects and paraphernalia in the Museum's collection, including medals, cigarette cards, propellers, badges, photographs and letters, and help to communicate stories relating to the personal circumstances of soldiers and their families and the intimate details of life in the wartime era. Produced in France, these embroidered cards are generally known as "WWI Silks". Vanessa Mack 2009