Alistair Robb postcard collection
Descriptive Data
Archives IdentifierBN001Date Range1874-2006DescriptionThe Alistair Robb postcard collection comprises several drawers of postcards featuring predominantly Wellington subjects, collected by Alistair Robb. The items in this series are mostly from the late 18th to late 19th Centuries, and are a mix of colour, colourised, and black and white cards. There are approximately 2,300 postcards (not including duplicates), and a small number of ephemeral items. The majority of the items are in good condition, aside from some of the older postcards with applied decoration.
A description of the image on the front and rear of the postcards is provided to improve discovery. Specific buildings, people or content in the photograph that are not recorded in the title but are of research value are included in the description. Other information identified includes the colour, whether they are real photographs (a photographic print on a postcard), the publisher, the photographer/artist, any number provided on the card, and copyright attribution where known.
Much of the descriptive detail of these items is taken from the two catalogues Alistair Robb compiled in January 2009, Catalogue of the Postcards of Wonderful Wellington and Photographers and Publishers of Wellington Postcards 1900-1969. These aimed to list, illustrate and describe every Wellington related postcard from 1901 until what Robb deemed to be 'Modern', around 1971. Copies are held in the City Archives reading room, and are also available from the National Library (see external links). Dates, photographers and publishers are taken from Robb's research unless specifically identified on the postcard. Where multiple dates are present the earliest is used.MediumCardSystem of ArrangementThe items in this series have been retained in the order created by Robb. He grouped them into topic-based categories, which have been identified in the Description of each item. An artificial numbering sequence has been applied. Where multiple copies existed, they have been retained where there is any difference, for example messages from senders.External LinksCatalogue of the postcards of wonderful Wellington, Alistair RobbPhotographers and publishers of Wellington postcards, Alistair RobbCollection TypeCommunity archives
A description of the image on the front and rear of the postcards is provided to improve discovery. Specific buildings, people or content in the photograph that are not recorded in the title but are of research value are included in the description. Other information identified includes the colour, whether they are real photographs (a photographic print on a postcard), the publisher, the photographer/artist, any number provided on the card, and copyright attribution where known.
Much of the descriptive detail of these items is taken from the two catalogues Alistair Robb compiled in January 2009, Catalogue of the Postcards of Wonderful Wellington and Photographers and Publishers of Wellington Postcards 1900-1969. These aimed to list, illustrate and describe every Wellington related postcard from 1901 until what Robb deemed to be 'Modern', around 1971. Copies are held in the City Archives reading room, and are also available from the National Library (see external links). Dates, photographers and publishers are taken from Robb's research unless specifically identified on the postcard. Where multiple dates are present the earliest is used.MediumCardSystem of ArrangementThe items in this series have been retained in the order created by Robb. He grouped them into topic-based categories, which have been identified in the Description of each item. An artificial numbering sequence has been applied. Where multiple copies existed, they have been retained where there is any difference, for example messages from senders.External LinksCatalogue of the postcards of wonderful Wellington, Alistair RobbPhotographers and publishers of Wellington postcards, Alistair RobbCollection TypeCommunity archives
Access Information
Restriction StatusOpen
Related Agencies
Controlling or Creating AgencyAlistair Finlay RobbRelationship Date Range1960s-2014
Alistair Robb postcard collection. Archives Online, accessed 13/08/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/870766