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POST YOUR REAL PHOTO POSTCARD VIEWS OF TASMANIAN TRAMS HERE



This card from 1911 (by an unidentified photographer) is possibly the earliest photo of a Launceston tram (in Brisbane Street).
Although not postally used, the card has a written message dated August 5th that reads in part "... trial opening yesterday. Three trams
ran all day from Retreat (Hotel) to Brisbane Street ...... opening ceremony next week" (!!!)

If anyone has any other real photo views of Launceston trams (especially from first few years of operation) please post them
in this thread.

As a resident of West Hobart, I regret having sold this card (by an unidentified photographer) a number of years ago.

It features two brand new built trams near "The Y" at the top of Goulburn Street probably on their way back to the city from the
Hill/Arthur Street terminus on their first run after the opening ceremony on 29th June 1914.

Someone may be able to identify the photographer by the written title in the lower left corner - any suggestions?

If you have any real photo views of Hobart trams, especially from the earlier years, please post them in this thread.

Hello Ross

I recognised the West Hobart tram postcard straight away. I looked in my collection and would you believe that my card is the one in the scan. It has the light crease bottom left corner. I do not remember acquiring this card from you. Anyway, the card resides in a good home. The card is unused and stamped "Williamson" top left corner on the backside. This is William Williamson of 127 Goulburn St Hobart. He was active during 1880 to about 1920. You do not see real photographic postcards by Willamson very often.

Mike.

Re the Launceston Tram the first day of operation in which fares were collected was 4 August 1911. Trial runs were done in June and July for 1911 the offical opening was on 16 August. I have an excellent card taken in Invermay Road prior to the offical opening

This image of a photo card by H.J. Hellesey from the 1940s was sent to me by an eBay seller based in Victoria
It does not have a printed back so it's not strictly a postcard but was probably intended to be used as one
(J. Breaden sold similar "tourist photos" during the 1940s that are sometimes seen used as postcards).

Postcard or not a postcard, it's still an interesting real photo image that's worth recording here in my opinion!

3 great real photo postcards of Hobart trams.

Card 1. Main Road Moonah. by Valentines

Card 2 New Elecric Tram Hobart. D.I.C. photo no817.

Card 3 No photographer's name. Card has been posted on 21/1/36 using a 11/2d overprint on 5d tablet to Madagscar !!!. Great destination. I believe the card is signed L.M.Newton? Newton wrote the rare Tasmanian book "The Story of the Twelfth". The book is a record of the 12th Battalion AIF during the Great War 1914 to 1918. Newton was a Lieutenant and Adjutant in the 12th Battalion and lived at Lindisfarne. The book was published by J.Walch & Sons in 1925. Can anyone give information on the Frenchman to whom the card is addressed? What was the C F M E ? See scan.

Two more Launceston Tram cards.

Card 1 is by Spurling. Could be the open day of the Launceston Trams. Card is dated 23/12/1911.

Card 2 is by RoseStereograph Co. Armadale, Victoria. Hand dated 1950. This would be one of the best Tassie Rose cards I have seen!

Another Spurling view of a tram in Charles Street near the intersection with
Brisbane .... a great action shot (like Mike's Rose card above) with cyclists, horse
and cart, an old jalopy, etc. I assume this card would be from the 1920s



A printed colour card by Spurling is listed in the Launceston Trams - Printed Cards thread.
To view please use this link http://tps.org.au/bb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=46#p122

Late afternoon shot of tram no 2 on Victoria Bridge during one of the runs prior to the offical opening and also prior to the issuing of the uniforms as can be seen by the condutor in civvies who is holding the trolly arm guide rope. Photographic card by Spurling

It's been awhile since I have seen a 'new' real photo card with a view of a Launceston tram.
It looks like I waited long enough ...
[attachment=0]launceston tram 2.jpg[/attachment]
The card is by the usually southern-based photographer W.J. Little and like many of his cards,
the photo has been over-exposed when printed or has faded with exposure to light.

Another view of of Launceston tram by W.J. Little seen recently on eBay.
The tram is turning from Charles Street into Brisbane Street.

Following postcards are of early Hobart Trams including Conductors and Drivers.

Cheers Kerry

I have more than one card like the last one in the preceding post. However, there are two distinct types of image. One is as above. The other has a clear line across it. I have to surmise that the original photo had a glass negative, and my exaple with a line across it is a reproduction from the original negative that has been broken/cracked and now has a clear line across it. EBay buyers beware!

Two recent discoveries on my desk!

a) postcard by J.C. Breaden No. A43 with a view of two trams at the lower Sandy Bay terminus ....probably "dates" from the late 1940s

(please 'click' on the images once to view the whole card on your monitor)
b) postcard by Ash Bester No.381 with view of a double-decker tram outside the Hobart G.P.O. ... the photo would have been taken in the
late 1940s as the top decks were removed from all of these trams at that time.

Two cards published in the 1920s by D.I.C. (Fellowes - 173 Elizabeth Street, Hobart)

Postcard by W.J. Little with view of a WEST HOBART tram in Liverpool Street shortly after the line opened c.1914 .... the brick building slightly obscured by the tram is virtually unchanged.

A "recycled" double-decker tram used as Tea Rooms at Ridgeway from the 1940s through to the 1967 bush fires - photographer not identified

A colour tinted real photo card of a double-decker tram heading towards MOONAH - photographer not identified

A real photo card from the 1940s showing a congregation of trams in Elizabeth Street - photographer not identified. The trams may be long gone but THE TROCADERO CAFE
is still trading in the same location!!

Here is an excellent picture of trams and a trolley bus, presumably outside the Town Hall. Can anyone date it? If we knew when the last double decker trams ran it would help.

And what was the event? There is a big crowd there.

This must be Ash Besters best card!

Des Beechey

Des,

I think that that after a number of accidents (including the demolition of part of the wall on the Sandy Bay Road side of St David's Park by a runaway double-decker) these
trams were converted to 'single deckers' around 1947/48.

Regarding the crowd pictured on the card, my best guess would be something to do with end-of-WWII celebrations outside the Hobart Town Hall .... a search of "Trove'
may find something relevant.

Ross

Two tram postcards which recently came to hand

1) a view of Liverpool Street from the intersection with Argyle Street similar to another view already posted but a busier scene (published by H.H. Baily)

The 'Keen's Curry' sign is just visible on the hill in line with the end of the street.


2) a view of a double decker tram captioned NEW ELECTRIC TRAM HOBART attributed to D.I.C. but probably a nmuch earlier photograph by W.J. Little