110 TEN YEAR OLD POSTCARDS

[Mervyn Mitton]

I have just bought this most interesting group of old postcards - many are dated to around the 1900's and show how things were in different parts of South Africa in those early days. For the researcher they will be of great help with dress etc.. The one showing a Prison escort, I have also posted under Police. People forget that in 1900 the Colonies did not have the infrastructure that exists today. Durban now has a population of some 1.000.000 - incl. outlaying areas - however, in 1900 only 15,000 white settlers lived in the area. In 1879 - only 5,000 !

This first card has a title - what is clearly shown are the front and rear covers. The Nene was at the front and the rear - usually a goatskin, was called a Beshu. These items are still worn at ceremonial gathering.

Please note - any colour on the cards was added individually by hand by the photographer.

Edited February 6, 2011 by Mervyn Mitton

[Mervyn Mitton]

These would be British Army barracks built after the capture of Pretoria from the Boers.

[Mervyn Mitton]

We are not sure where this Prison was. Could be Natal - in which case the warders were part of the Natal Police ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

Sangomas still 'throw the bones' to divine the future. Most of them are very wealthy !

[Mervyn Mitton]

I had to laugh at this one - no clothes - but nice hats.......

[Mervyn Mitton]

This is Zulu. The women are probably the wives of the Chief - and these will be his children.....

Note - the long pie she is smoking.

Edited February 6, 2011 by Mervyn Mitton

[Mervyn Mitton]

These are trackers working for the Natal troops - this is in 1906 - The Natal Native Rebellion

[Mervyn Mitton]

This is an exceptionally large female Hyena. They are dominant and much larger then the males. I don't know wht they shot it - the flesh is uneatable. Probably raiding the local cattle.

[Mervyn Mitton]

I thought this was a very attractive picture - all set with a formal cloth. Perhaps to commemmorate Edward's 7th. Coronation in 1902 ? Note the importance that beadwork has for the Zulus - only one baby without any - I wonder why ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

The first punt across the Tugela River was in 1879 to carry troops from Fort Pearson to the holding fort on the other side - Fort Tenedos. This was the forward area for the attack on Zululand from the Southern end. I expect this is a later model ? People in foreground are clearly seen with their clothes and costume.

[Brian Wolfe]

Hi Mervyn,

As a young boy I would attend the cinema with my parents and when any news reel, adventure movie or documentray depicting the "real" africa was shown I'd sit there holding my breath with awe and wonder at such places and people. Reviewing your resent acquisitions brought back the memory or those days.

Thank you for posting thiese postcards and making my Sunday morning even more enjoyable than usual.

Regards

Brian

[IrishGunner]

Amazing stuff. I'm really enjoying searching out the unusual WWI post cards; it's quite interesting to see what someone thought worthy to photograph rather than some stock photos.

Unfortunately, in another 110 years our ancestors will not have this pleasure - email, e-cards, instant messages, twitter etc have all but replaced post cards. Can you imagine combing through someone's Facebook page in 110 years to glean what life might have been like? I suspect it won't be the same as spending a couple hours trying to decipher a soldier's hand-written note to his wife or parents; sitting in front of the fire with a glass of whiskey at hand.

But then again, those soldiers from WWI might laugh at me spending all this time with their scribbles. :rolleyes: