The Tasman Map

This card is special in a number of ways. First, it shows part of an ancient map, the Tasman Map. The original was compiled from Abel Tasman's two voyages and earlier voyages by Dutch navigators, and was drawn on very fine Japanese paper. It shows a surprisingly accurate outline of Australia.

Second, the map shown in the picture is a reproduction that consists of a marble mosaic on the floor of the State Library in New South Wales, in the Mitchell Wing vestibule. The construction of the started in 1939 and took two years to finish.

Third, and probably most important, is the message:

I knew you were the person I bought [this card] for way back in April!  .... In April 1998 my husband and I had a wedding reception in this venue, and we drank champagne standing on this very map.  So when I was back there just a few months ago, I was thrilled to see there is now a postcard of the map in the floor, and bought one and waited.  And now it's in your hands.

I feel very privileged to be the custodian for the present.  Now who is going to tell me that an unpostmarked, unwritten card is better than that?

This is a post for Postcard Friday, which is hosted by Beth Niquette at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.