Scottish Indications

The front of the poscard clearlt indicates what was happening at the exhibit in the year of 1908. Such events include, military bands, as well as, the Canadian Pavillion and Welcome club. The exhibit put a spotlight on Canadians through the welcome club, indicating ties with Canada were strong and integral to the culture during that time. Looking at it today, one can assume many Canadian visitors were interested in the exhibit, as the sender of this postcard was Canadian. The exhibit running gives indication that Scotland was going through an influx of tourists and holidaymakers during 1908, through this Scotland was put on the map(Durie, 2001, 15). The background of the postcard enforces the classic stereotypes of Scottish culture and livelihood(Gold, 1995, 7). The tartan has no connection to a clan, rather it is used as a generic decoration, much like how tartan is used today to show "Scottishness" on certain products.  

Value of the Postcard

The value of the postcard during the time of the fair was that of social media today. As indicated on this postcard through the message on the back, postcards were a mode of simple communication rather than just a souvenir of travels. The message written on this card is in a letter-like formula that does not indicate any involvement with the exhibiton(Gillen, 2016). The picture postcard was a hot commodity that was used for cheap and fast communication(Gillen, 2016). The stamps on the back of this card indicate it only cost two half pennies to send. This postcard was written while travelling to communicate quickly with her spouse back in Canada about the mortgage and the 'strike' that was affecting her life. In the twentieth century postcards could be bought anywhere(Prochaska, 2001, 377). No mention of the exhibit is indicated, leading to believe she picked up the postcard without a second glance in a shop in Edinburgh, while the exhibition was in commence nearby. Edwardian postcards were used anytime, anywhere, making this use not uncommon(Gillen, 2016). The card was specifically used for general messaging rather than commemoration of the event or as a souvenir(Prochaska, 2001, 388). Today, the postcard can be used to study the general communication that commenced on postcards.