Rare Real Photo Postcard – St Patrick’s Head, Tasmania – Conara July 1906 Postmark – Horse & Trap Rural Scene
A highly attractive and scarce original Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) depicting St Patrick’s Head, one of Tasmania’s most iconic East Coast landmarks. Combining a superb early photographic image with original postal history, this is an outstanding piece of Edwardian Tasmania.
The photograph captures an idyllic bush settlement beneath the dramatic granite summit of St Patrick’s Head, with a horse patiently standing harnessed to a light trap beside a rustic timber cottage surrounded by split-rail fencing, stacked firewood and towering eucalypt forest. The untouched bush setting perfectly evokes life in rural Tasmania during the opening years of the twentieth century.
The postcard is titled “St Patrick’s Head” in the lower margin and was posted using a 1d Tasmanian Pictorial stamp, cancelled CONARA – JULY 1906, during the heyday of the township as one of Tasmania’s most important railway junctions.
Historical Background
Rising approximately 694 metres (2,277 feet) above the East Coast hinterland near St Marys, St Patrick’s Head has long been one of Tasmania’s best-known natural landmarks. The distinctive granite peak became a favourite subject for early photographers, although genuine real photographic postcards are considerably scarcer than later printed views.
The postcard was mailed through Conara Junction, one of Tasmania’s principal railway interchange stations. Originally known as The Corners, the settlement developed around an inn established in 1850 to serve coach traffic between Hobart and Launceston. Following construction of the Main Line Railway and the Fingal branch during the 1880s, Conara became the key junction for passengers and freight travelling between Tasmania’s Midlands and the East Coast. The post office opened as Corners Post Office in 1862 before being renamed Conara Junction in 1887. Although the datestamp reads simply “CONARA”, it was in use during this important railway era.
Postal History
The reverse retains:
* Original handwritten message:
“When are you coming up to see us. I’ll make you wink. May.”
* Addressed to:
Mr E. McGregor
State School
Burnie
* Original 1d Tasmanian Pictorial adhesive.
* Clear CONARA – JULY 1906 circular date stamp.
The recipient was almost certainly associated with the Burnie State School, most likely a teacher, making the postcard an appealing piece of early Tasmanian social history.
Condition
Very good antique condition for its age. Light corner and edge wear together with minor age toning and handling marks. The photograph retains excellent contrast and displays beautifully. The reverse remains clean with its original message, address, stamp and postal cancellation intact. Please examine the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
Measurements
* Standard postcard size (approximately 14 × 9 cm)
An exceptional acquisition for collectors of:
* Tasmanian Real Photo Postcards (RPPCs)
* Early Tasmanian postal history
* Conara Junction railway history
* St Patrick’s Head memorabilia
* East Coast Tasmania
* Horse and carriage photography
* Edwardian Australian social history
USA BUYERS NOTE: Please wait for an invoice before making payment as Duty will be added at this end, as the seller has to pay it at Australia Post when lodging the parcel. Import duties and taxes may apply depending on the value of your purchase.
Combined postage is always available for multiple purchases.