tps.org.au

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 !!

Hello Mike,

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

Cheers Kerry

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.
"

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.