Wish You Were Here: 151 Years of the British Postcard

Wish You Were Here celebrates the iconic role the postcard has played in connecting people for 151 years.

The history of the British postcard dates back to 1870. The postcard was a time-saving and cost-effective means of correspondence through the mail. They were used to communicate secret love notes, to raise troop morale during wartime, and to brag about vacations near and far.

With work by artists such as Emily May, Francesca Colussi Cramer, and Guy Atkins, visitors may study the postcard through history and reflect on its future with topics such as romance, First World War communication, the Great British seashore, postcards in a digital era, and contemporary art.

Every visitor to the show will be able to take home their own small artwork. For the exhibition, artist Peter Liversidge, who is recognised for his postal-inspired artworks, has developed four unique postcard designs. Visitors can choose a postcard to send, retain, or think about the provocative concepts printed on the cards.

The Postal Museum admission includes access to this temporary exhibition. A Museum ticket also provides access to the permanent galleries and a ride on the Mail Rail.