Every postcard in a collection tells two stories: the one captured in the ink on the front, and the one hidden in the history on the back. This particular piece, titled "The Cottage by the Sea," is a beautiful example of mid-century Irish nostalgia, pulling us back to a time of rugged coastlines, lime-washed stone, and the slow pace of Atlantic life.
The Scene: A Glimpse into Coastal Life
The front of the card features a vibrant illustration by an artist signed simply as L. Murdoch. The painting depicts a traditional Irish "long cottage" with a heavy, possibly slate or bitumen-coated roof, nestled against a rocky outcrop. The white-washed walls pop against the muted greens and ochres of the surrounding scrubland.
In the background, the deep blue of the sea meets a pale, hazy sky. If you look closely at the path leading toward the water, you can spot two small figures—perhaps children or a couple—adding a sense of scale and life to the otherwise solitary landscape. The artwork captures that specific "soft" Irish light, where the sun feels filtered through a layer of salt spray and Atlantic mist.
Behind the Card: Scholastic Production Co.
Turning the card over reveals its pedigree. It was published by the Scholastic Production Co., Ltd., Belfast, a firm that has become a bit of a cult favourite among postcard collectors (deltiologists).
Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Scholastic Production Company was active from the late 1930s until it was eventually wound up in December 1955. They were known for their "Art Series" postcards, which often featured the work of prominent Irish landscape artists like Maurice Canning Wilks and, of course, the artist of this piece, Lilian Murdoch.
One of the "dead giveaways" for a Scholastic card is the distinctive deckle edge—that wavy, rippled border that gives the card a tactile, vintage feel. This card also bears the "ACME" logo at the top centre, featuring a stylized bird (likely a swift or swallow) carrying a letter, a mark of quality and "British Manufacture" that the company used to distinguish itself from international competitors.
Dating the Postcard
While the card is unposted and lacks a postmark, we can narrow down a likely date of publication:
Publisher Window: The company operated between ~1938 and 1955.
The Serial Number: This card is numbered No. 9052. Scholastic’s numbering systems were often "shambolic," as some historians put it, but the 9000-series is generally associated with their later output.
Artistic Context: Lilian Murdoch was actively supplying artwork to Scholastic during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Given the crispness of the "ACME" logo and the high serial number, it is very likely this card was printed between 1948 and 1953.
A Collector's Note
What makes this card special is its "new-old stock" condition. It never fulfilled its destiny of carrying a "Wish you were here" message through the mail. Instead, it remains a pristine window into the mid-century Irish art scene. For those who love the North Antrim coast or the wild fringes of Donegal, this card isn't just paper—it’s an invitation to a quieter era.
