CATEGORY

When Indonesia was still known as the Dutch East Indies, images on postcards were often the first views foreigners had of this fascinating land, the world's largest archipelago. The postcards in this book are divided according to seven regions: Sumatra, Java, Bali and the Lesser Sundas, southern Borneo (now Kalimantan), Celebes (Sulawesi), New Guinea (Irian Jaya) and the Moluccas, and a separate section for the capital, Batavia (Jakarta). These early postcards form a vivid visual history of Indonesia: indigenous clothes and ceremonies, kampung life, the countryside, towns, the arts and monuments. An attractive and nostalgic record, these postcards are also a useful resource for those interested in archaeology, architecture, textile design and town planning. Deltiologists (postcard collectors) will appreciate the inclusion of information such as cancellation date, publisher, series, and photographer or artist.