Souvenir of Pretoria: 12 Artistic Picture Post Cards (c.1915)

The "Leporello" or Perforated Album Format: During the golden age of picture postcards (roughly 1898–1918 and continuing into the 1920s–1930s), publishers frequently issued bound booklet series. The note "These cards are perforated and may be used singly or in form of an album" highlights a popular dual-purpose novelty of the era—allowing buyers to keep the set as a complete travel keepsake or detach individual cards to mail home to friends and family.

Following the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910, Pretoria became the administrative capital. This status created a booming market for souvenir photo cards showcasing prominent administrative landmarks—such as the newly constructed Union Buildings (completed in 1913), Church Square, and Government Avenue.

Early Photographic & Print Methods
Souvenir booklets of this type were typically produced using fine-art printing methods such as collotype, gravure, or lithography, often based on photographs taken by prominent local or British colonial photographic firms (such as Sallo Epstein, Braune & Levy, or Valentine & Sons).

Complete, intact booklets where none of the 12 cards have been detached remain particularly prized by ephemera collectors and deltiologists today, as most were broken up and mailed individually at the time.

155mm x 95mm

Dogeared; wrappers faded; otherwise postcards are crisp and in good condition.

R750