Victorian and Edwardian Memorial Cards (16)

These are Victorian and Edwardian memorial cards (also known as funeral, in-memoriam, or bereavement cards). Popular from the mid-19th to early 20th century, these cards were produced as keepsakes for family and friends to announce or commemorate the passing of a loved one.

16 cards together with duplicates and envelopes.

The collection features individuals buried or deceased in late 19th- and early 20th-century Southern Africa—specifically the Natal Colony (Pietermaritzburg, Durban), the Cape Colony (Cape Town), and the Transvaal Republic/region (Zoutpansberg, Madrid, Pretoria).

Card Overview & Transcriptions

Margaret Lyle: In Affectionate Remembrance of Margaret Lyle, the beloved wife of Alexander Lyle. Born August 18, 1841. Died September 29, 1877. "Asleep in Jesus."

Harley Huskisson (Variant 1): In Affectionate Remembrance of Harley Huskisson, Beloved Son of J. H. and E. E. Morris; Who Died at Zoutpansberg, Transvaal, February 1, 1885. Aged nearly 5 Years.

William [Peach: In Loving Memory of William (Beloved Husband of Ellen Peach). Who died at "Riverside," Pietermaritzburg, Natal, May 8th, 1873. Aged 51 Years. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.

Susan Margaret Kirsten: In Loving Remembrance of Susan Margaret Kirsten, Born at Pretoria, 5th February, 1877; Died at Cape Town, December 21st, 1900. [Poetic verse omitted]

Fanny Hanson: In Affectionate Remembrance of Fanny Hanson. Who departed this life, May 30th, 1901. Aged 67 Years. Interred at Durban Cemetery, 31st, May 1901.

Rykie Hester: In Affectionate Remembrance of Rykie Hester, The beloved wife of J. H. Charnock, Who departed this life on the 9th of May, 1908, Aged 40 Years. 2, Rosa Terrace, Upper Orange Street, Cape Town. Peace, Perfect Peace.

Richard William Page: In Loving Remembrance of Richard William Page, Dearly beloved Husband of Alice Page, Who died at Pietermaritzburg, 19th December, 1900. Aged 24 Years and 6 Months.

Frederick James Powell: In Loving Memory of Frederick James Powell, Who died at Kimberley, February 11th, 1889, Aged 30 Years and 5 Months. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."

Harley Huskisson Morris (Variant 2): In Affectionate Remembrance of Harley Huskisson Morris, The beloved and only Son of J. H. and E. E. Morris, Born February 18th, 1880, Died February 1st, 1885. Was Interred at Madrid, Transvaal.

Mary Dennis & David Dennis: In Affectionate Remembrance of Mary Dennis, Who died December 12th, 1857, Aged 51 Years. Also, of David Dennis, Who died February 8th, 1869, Aged 67 Years. [Poetic verse omitted]

Annie Maria: In Affectionate Memory of Annie Maria, The beloved wife of Paul Henwood May, Who departed this life May 4th, 1891. Aged 34 Years and 10 Months. Her end was peace.

George Lamb (Child): In Affectionate Remembrance of George Lamb, Who Died November 20th, 1876, Aged 12 Years and 8 Months. [Poetic verse omitted]

Fanny Hanson (Duplicate/Second Copy): In Affectionate Remembrance of Fanny Hanson. Who departed this life, May 30th, 1901. Aged 67 Years. Interred at Durban Cemetery, 31st, May 1901.

William Winter Hanson: In Affectionate Remembrance of William Winter Hanson, of Durban, Who departed this life on October 20, 1885, Aged 53 Years. Interred at Durban Cemetery.

Mary Ann: In Loving Memory of Mary Ann, Beloved wife of Thomas Goodwill, Who Died at Alice Mills, Pietermaritzburg, January 24th, 1890, Aged 57 Years 4 Months. "Thy Will be done."

George Lamb (Adult): In Loving Remembrance of George Lamb, Who departed this life September 5th, 1901, Aged 78 Years. Interred in the Wesleyan Cemetery, Maritzburg, Natal.

Key Historical Features

Typical of the period, the cards display heavy black borders (symbolizing mourning), ornate typography (Gothic/Blackletter and Roman styles), embossed or decorative frames, and religious motifs (angels, urns, classical pillars).

The locations recorded—such as Pietermaritzburg, Durban Cemetery, Kimberley, Pretoria, Cape Town, Zoutpansberg, and Madrid (Transvaal)—provide a detailed cross-section of British colonial and local pioneer genealogical history in Southern Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Various sizes.

Some fishmothed; worn and have insect damage at the edges.

R1,250