Pearling in the Nor. West

[Perth] : The Western Mail, 1906. Postcard, 140 x 88 mm, recto illustrated by May Gibbs, verso with illustrated title banner, back divided in two, postally unused, a couple of corners creased, one with paper reinforcement verso.

Very rare postcard designed by May Gibbs while working as a staff illustrator at the Western Australian periodical from 1905 – 1909. 

‘A black and white postcard with the title “Pearling in the Nor. West” which features four clamshells with images painted inside and captions underneath. The first is of a pile of shells and eggs, the second is of a pearling ship, the third is of “Sorting and packing / Mother of Pearl shell for export / to London” and the fourth is of men sitting on the edge of a boat. At the middle left are three women wearing pearl jewellery and at the bottom right are two mermaids. The image was signed by May Gibbs in 1906. On the back is a scroll in which is printed “THE / WESTERN MAIL.”‘ – Trove

A single example recorded in Australian collections (National Museum of Australia)