[Editor: This postcard, which incorporates a photograph of the Australian Museum in Sydney (NSW), is undated; however, it is believed to have been published in the 1950s.]
[Front of postcard]
The Australian Museum, Sydney N.S.W.
Sydney. N.S.W.
Copyright.
[Description: A street-view photograph of the Australian Museum in Sydney (NSW).]
[Reverse of postcard]
POST CARD
Correspondence Address only
Kodak Kodak Kodak Kodak
Source:
Original document
Editor’s notes:
Dimensions (approximate): 142 mm. (width), 89.5 mm. (height).
This earliest date for this photograph would be 1951, as it includes a Holden utility vehicle (which were first released in January 1951).
See: 1) “The history of the Holden ute”, Mater Lotteries [“Holden unveiled its very first ute in January 1951. This ute was called 50-2106 Coupe Utility.”]
2) “Holden Ute”, Wikipedia
This photograph was taken at a time when the main streets of Sydney did not have traffic lights. Although it has not been determined when traffic lights were installed in William Street, Sydney, one newspaper article, published in October 1939, reported on a Labor Party meeting’s decision to “ask the traffic authorities that red traffic lights be placed at all William Street intersections”.
See: “A.L.P. Branch Reports”, Daily News, (Sydney, NSW), 21 October 1939, p. 8 (Late Edition)
The first automated traffic lights were installed in Sydney on 13 October 1933 (on the corner of Kent and Market Streets).
See: 1) Alona, “The first traffic lights in Australia”, Lonetester HQ, 23 Oct 2018
2) Mark Dunn, “It’s a sign”, Dictionary of Sydney, 2019
Australian Museum = a museum located at 1 William Street, Sydney, New South Wales; established in 1827, it is the oldest museum in Australia; it was known as “The Colonial Museum” until 1834, when it was renamed as the “Australian Museum”
See: 1) “AGY-108 | Colonial Museum (1827-1834) / Australian Museum (1834- )”, Research Data Australia
2) “Australian Museum”, Wikipedia
[Editor: Changed “N S.W.” to “N.S.W.” (added a full stop after the “N”).]
Dear Ed. You propose possible dates for this photo of 1940s or 1950s. My feeling is that it will be 1950s and not 1940s. The cars in the photo look very “modern” to my eyes. Many Oz car enthusiasts would be able to identify the earliest year of manufacture of a few of the vehicles shown in the photo, I believe; most especially the ute in the foreground which looks like a Holden. Sadly, I do not have that expertise though. So this is a hope that other readers with the knowledge might make contact with you to be more specific.
Thank you once more.
Hi Raymond, Thanks for your input.
I reassessed the photograph, and re-dated it as circa 1950s.
Originally, it was dated circa 1940s-1950s, as indicated by the style of Holden cars. But then, following your prompt re utes, I checked up on Holden utes, and apparently they were not released until 1951, so your assessment would be correct.
Many thanks, Ed.