The End of Hong Kong’s Postcard Era
Hong Kong is renowned for its vibrant culture and beautiful skylines. It is a bustling city of business and commerce, which also has its softer side, filled with stunning street scenes and popular attractions. But what many people don’t know is that there is a nostalgic side to Hong Kong that is quickly disappearing. The postcard era is coming to an end and with it, many of its familiar sights and scenes.
Background & History of Postcards in Hong Kong
Postcards, once the primary form of communication for travelers and tourists, were the most popular means of sharing news from the city in the years before the advent of the internet age. Postcards were used to give news of the Hong Kong’s most iconic sites, such as Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui and other parts of the city. With their striking and often beautiful postcard images, people could send a snapshot of their holiday across the world.
A key element of the postcard era was the traditional Chinese studio portrait, known as the studio hand liner. To take the photo, customers would visit the air-conditioned studio and be posed against a bright backdrop, usually with props or costumes to give the photo that extra bit of colour and personality. With technology advancements, however, the demand for such portraits has fallen, and many of the traditional studios have been forced to close down.
The Slow Decline of Postcards
The decline of the postcard trade has come in stages. The main reason being the rapid advancement of technology. With the rise of smartphones and social media, sending cards has become almost obsolete, with people increasingly relying on digital alternatives.
This decline has had a huge impact on the postcard industry in Hong Kong. Once a thriving business, the number of postcards being sold has dropped significantly. The decline began around the turn of the century and continues today, as shops in many parts of the city cut back on the postcards they offer and customers go online instead.
Social Implications of the End of the Postcard Era
The decline in postcards has had a profound impact on the way people communicate. Those familiar scenes no longer make their way across the world, with people relying increasingly on digital communication and a more ephemeral form of news sharing.
With the decline of the postcard industry, the livelihoods of many small businesses have been affected. These small businesses have been a part of the city’s culture for generations and the decline of the postcard industry has seen many of them forced to close down.
The End of a Cultural Era
Although the decline of the postcard business has taken away small businesses and traditional forms of communication, postcards also carry with them a certain nostalgia and charm. They provide a connection to our past and the reminder of a bygone era.
Although the postcard industry is in decline, there are still a few shops that remain in the city, allowing people to take a step back in time and get a look of that classic Hong Kong postcard style.
Looking to the Future
For those who still wish to keep up the postcard tradition, there are several options. One of the most popular is to use postcard apps which allow people to create and send personalised postcards from their own photos and designs. While these may not boast the same craftsmanship and charm of a classic postcard, it does provide a way of keeping the postcard culture alive.
There is also the option of purchasing vintage postcards. Many stores in Hong Kong still have a selection of postcards from the classic era, giving collectors and those looking for a snapshot of the past the opportunity to pick up some of these nostalgic cards.
The end of the postcard era in Hong Kong is a bittersweet event. It is sad to see such a beautiful trade coming to an end and with it, the livelihoods of small businesses affected. But at the same time, it is a reminder of the city’s past beauty and a time when people’s most exciting news was shared in the form of these intricate little cards. Although the postcard industry may be in decline, it will never be forgotten.
