Ephemera: 1915 Australian Memorial Card
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This smaller, Australian card from 1915 follows a style that was commonly used in the 1890s. Not much has changed in its context or construction, though up to the 1920s, there was little to change in these well established pieces.
The gold etching to the card in the border and wreath and very reminiscent of the late Victorian period, but the size of the card make it useful for presentation and handing out.
There was a remarkably large production of memorial and funeral cards in Australia during the latter 19th and early 20th centuries, the style did not change (and many of the styles are still in effect today). This particular card for John Ferguson retains the wreath/ribbon/banner motif reminiscent of the 1890s, a style adopted from the Rococo Revival, but displayed in a way that was highly customisable for the individual.
Many of the card companies, in this case ‘The Memorial Card Co.,’ located at 143 King St, Sydney, published standardised plates which had areas for customisation. In this case, the Ferguson card has the area for name, photograph, date of death and age. Poetry was often standardised, but could be requested at the behest of the person who commissioned the card.
As the 20th century moved forward with card designs, the styles became simpler, bolder and more refined, losing many of the Rococo flourishes that were prevalent in these styles.
Beyond this, the card shows that the mourning industry in pre and post colonial Australia was not only a necessity, but large enough for the population to match that of its English crown.
Further Reading on Memorial Ephemera
Queen Victoria Funeral Programme
The Graphic: Funeral of Queen Victoria
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