Patriotic Greetings
This series of patriotic postcards from an unknown publisher feature the words “Greetings from” followed by the place upon which the series is based. Thus far, both Quebec and Charlottetown series have been identified.
The cards appear to date from 1901, and feature monochromatic scenes, together with coloured patriotic crests.
The Quebec series bears the Latin motto from the Seal of the City of Quebec, with the words “Natura Fortis Industria Crescit”, (meaning “Strong Nature Prospers by Work”), as well as the lion and shield taken from the City Seal, along with a crown and the words “Greetings from Quebec”.
The Charlottetown series shows the Coat of Arms of Prince Edward Island, with a lion and a unicorn, and the text ”Parva Sub Ingenti” (“the small under the protection of the great”, motto of Prince Edward Island since 1769) and “Prince Edward Island”.
The cards are shown classified by the numbering system shown in Michael J. Smith’s The Canadian Patriotic & Heraldic Postcard Handbook 1897–1945 Volume II. Mike Smith has recorded 4 cards in the Charlottetown Series and 8 cards in the Quebec Series.
I have come across what may be the missing link to identify the publisher of this series. A W.G. MacFarlane series with the same ornamental borders on the front and the earliest MacFarlane back design suggests this series may have been one of MacFarlane’s earliest patriotic series. A couple of examples showing Fredericton views, with the early MacFarlane back, are shown below.
