[Editor: This postcard, which incorporates a photo of the Balmain District Hospital, is undated; however, it is believed to have been published in the early 20th Century.]
[Front of postcard]
Balmain District
Davis.
[Description: A photo of a building, with the word “Hospital” at the top of the structure; with the words “Balmain District” in the lower-left of the postcard.]
[Reverse of postcard]
[Handwritten text, in italics]
Dear Alice
I received your ever welcome letter and was glad to hear from you again, and that you are in the best of health, as it leaves all at home the same at present.
Well, I have not started to do the kitchen just yet.
Your Aunt Jill was up the step ladder the day when we received your letters & P C & cleaning the pictures in her bedroom & taking up the oilcloth; she was tired out & then she had to go to Darlinghurst after tea.
We are only getting one hamper this year from Muir’s, none from W[?], although they have them.
We are just having a feed of peaches; would you like one?
Jim is getting a man now, he has taken your place in going to pay the water rates.
Lilly said she will write next week to you.
Linda had a good cry the other day about you because you sent one P.C. for the lot of them.
No more news this week, so I will close now with best love & kisses from your loving Grandma & Grandpa
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[No identifying information about the manufacturer was included on the postcard.]
Source:
Original document
Editor’s notes:
Dimensions (approximate): 138 mm. (width), 88 mm. (height).
Although it is very faint, the word “Hospital” can be seen between the words “Balmain District” (in the lower-left of the postcard); it seems that, for some reason, that word was removed from the final production of the postcard.
The word “Davis”, in the lower-right of the postcard, is possibly the surname of the photographer.
Although the facade of the Balmain Hospital has somewhat changed in modern times, a comparison of this historical photograph with modern photographs shows that it is the same building. The Balmain Hospital was originally known as the Balmain Cottage Hospital when it was founded in 1885, and then, after a change of location in 1887, was renamed as the Balmain District Hospital.
See: 1) “History”, Sydney Local Health District (NSW Government)
2) “Balmain Hospital”, Sydney Local Health District (NSW Government) [see photo]
2) “Balmain Hospital”, Wikipedia [see photo]
P C = an abbreviation of “post card”
P.C. = an abbreviation of “post card”
x = a symbol for a kiss (depending on the circumstances, it may indicate a loving kiss, a familial kiss, or a friendly kiss)
[Editor: For ease of reading, the original text has been separated into paragraphs, and punctuation has been inserted as deemed appropriate.]
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