TASMANIAN COURT POSTCARDS

[Mike]

It has taken me a long time to find any Tasmanian Court size postcards, but I have eventually found 3. I had never seen one before but I was sure that they exisited as I have seen others from most Australian States.

These are rare cards and were apparently unpopular with the public and were soon replaced with the "normal" size postcards. I think they were published in about 1899, and old stock was used for several years afterwards.

The cards dimensions are, 118mm x 75mm. The first card was postally used in Melbourne (not Tasmania unfortunatly) on 1/2?/03. The card is numbered 351 and is part of a large set of cards. I have seen a Brisbane card from the same set numbered 426. There is no publishers name.

This well known view of Hobart and Mount Wellington is from a Haughton Forrest painting c1886. John Watt Beattie photographed this painting and it was used by a number of Tasmanian postcard publishers. This view was also used on the 2d violet Tasmanian Pictorial stamp first issued in late 1899.

The other 2 cards are,
Launceston, Cataract Gorge and Bridge. No 302 not postally used but dated 21/12/05
Launceston, Princess Square Gardens. No 303. Postally used in Melbourne 24/6/03 to France with a WA stamp!

Have you seen any other Tasmanian Court Postcards? There is a big gap between numbers 302 and 351 !!

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[cobba]

Hello Mike,

I have approx. 20 Court cards of Tasmania various scenes of Hobart and Launceston.

Cheers Kerry

[admin]

Late last year Gary Watson of Mossgreen Auctions asked me to post the following in this topic but somehow it slipped my memory.
However better late than never.
Gary said:

"The post refers to Tasmanian “court cards”, described as 118mm x 75mm. Obviously smaller than usual & very rare items BUT they are not “Court” cards.

“Court” or “Court-Size” cards are a specific size (115x89mm or 4½x3½ inches), . This was the official size of British picture postcards in the period 1894-1900 & some were issued as late as 1902.

They are also not technically what the Brits call “Intermediate Size” (130x80mm or 5.1x3.1 inches). However, the Brits also had some non-conforming “intermediate size cards” & this is where I suggest the Tasmanian cards should be classified.
"

[Mike]

A quick search of the size of a Court Postcard has revealed a range of sizes.

Wikipedia Court Postcard. 4.75" x 3.5" 121mm x 89mm.
Wikipedia Postcard, 4.5" x 3.5" 115mm x 89mm. (Gary Watson size)
Edinphoto.org.uk 4.75" x 3.5" 121mm x 89mm.

Books
A History of Postcard by Martin Willoughby
page 46 4.5" x 3.5" 115mm x 90mm. (Gary Watson Size)

Millers Postcards A collectors Guide
page 11 5" x 3" 122mm x 75mm.

Picture Postcards in Australia
David Cook page82. There is a picture of a postcard on this page which Cook calls a Court Card. Cook does not give any sizes.
It is a Brisbane view and this card appears to be from the same large set as the 3 x Tasmanian cards. Is Cook wrong with his identification?

It appears there is some confusion with the size of a Court Postcard. I am happy to call the Tasmanian cards "Intermediate Size" cards but I have been unable to find any information on the sizing of "Intermediate" postcards! Your comments are welcome.