Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija
Local / Original ID Number
510:IDR;R1–R2381
Type of Object
Mine
Description
Short description
The collection of postcards of Idrija Municipal Museum currently has 2,381 units and is constantly supplemented. Over 1,550 units are photographs with the prevailing mining theme, important Mine facilities or the panorama image of Idrija and the images of life in the city. Over 290 units are photographs of the village and the life of the people in the Idrija surroundings (Črni vrh, Spodnja Idrija, Godovič). The collection also contains approximately 500 units with motifs of Cerkno and surrounding villages and of Franja Partisan Hospital. 450 units are postcards and real photo postcards, the creation of which can be dated in the period of Austria. There are also many (at least 395 units) postcards and real photo postcards by the photographer Srečko (Feliks) Bajt. The collection is regularly complemented with purchased items.
Measures
2,381 units of different dimensions. Most of the objects are of the following dimensions: 14 cm (length) x 9 cm (height).
Materials
Paper
Dating
End of the 19th century, 20th century.
Author / Producer
The data on publishers and printers of postcards and real photo postcards by the end of the First World War were mostly insufficient. After that period, the authors were the photographer Srečko (Feliks) Bajt and his studio Helios (Elios) and others.
Picture attachments
Original use
The most common motif on postcards and real photo postcards from the Austrian period is the panorama of Idrija, important buildings, operations of different societies. Particularly the ones with a mining theme are priceless. They represent the only available photo material of the Mercury Mine, the miners and work in the pit. Between the years 1914 and 1918, postcards with military motifs become more common. During that time, postcards based on actual photographs also start to appear. Lacemaking motifs (lacemakers at work) start to occur especially in the 1920s and 1930s. In the period between the World Wars, the production of postcards rapidly increased, and at the same time, the postcards became more generic. The prevailing motifs were the panorama image of Idrija, mine shafts and auxiliary facilities, surrounding settlements and portraits of individuals.
Present use
The described postcard collection of Idrija Municipal Museum is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. Interested individuals can view the postcards in the documentation curator’s office. If necessary, they can also copy the postcards. The postcards in the collection can be used for different types of mercury heritage promotions.
Original location
Idrija and Cerkno Regions.
Present location
Idrija Municipal Museum, documentation curator’s office (upright chest of drawers).
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The described objects are appropriately preserved. Therefore, no additional interventions are necessary. Security of the premises is ensured.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible: