Mostly Postcards from the Mackie collection on the LennonWylie site.
It is fascinating to eavesdrop into this partial conversation from 110+ years ago. One can only wonder at what Ellie would think if she knew who else would have sight of the exchange long after she passed. Perhaps she might delight in the knowledge of the joy and humour it would bring to others living in an unimaginable future?
I would hazard a tentative guess that Ellie is Elizabeth Jane Lewis who was a teaching assistant in her early twenties living on Moat Street, Donaghadee. The present day Copeland Cottage is on Moat Street. Ena Mackie was also a teaching assistant - it says 'monitress' on the 1911 census - which provides an occupational link in lieu of a familial or geographical one.
Elizabeth ('Eliza') went on to marry an Edward Boyd in 1916. As Eliza Jane Boyd, she was a social worker, magistrate and a longstanding chair of the Donaghadee Urban District Council. She was awarded an MBE in 1947. Here is her obituary from the Belfast Telegraph from the 31st December 1959:
Social Worker - Mrs. ELIZA JANE BOYD, M.B.E., J.P., "Cosy Nook," 17 Moat Street, Donaghadee, one of the best known social workers in Co. Down, died in the Ards Hospital late last night. Aged 71, she dedicated half a century of her life to helping the poor, the needy and the lonely. Her principal concern was the welfare of the geriatric patients in the Ards Hospital, where the building accommodating them was named Boyd House in her honour. She organised many projects which raised thousands of pounds for charities.
She was a member of Donaghadee Urban Council for 23 years, and served five terms as chairman. She was a member of the Down County Health Committee and for ten years a member of the Down Welfare Committee. She was also a member of the North Down Hospital Management Committee since its inception 11 years ago.
Mrs. Boyd was president of the Donaghadee Cage Bird Society and of the Ladies' Hockey Club, and a vice-president of the Cricket Club. She is survived by her husband, Mr. Edward R. Boyd and a son, Commander B. Boyd. R.N. whose home is in Hillhead. Hampshire.
A 'stickyback' was a small photograph that was taken manually but processed mechanically (sort of like a photobooth photo). They had a backing like the old postage stamps that was sticky when moistened and so could be stuck to cards and postcards. They were also cheap enough to be affordable by many. Their inventor or at least populariser was Spiridione Grossi. There is a website that covers the topic very comprehensively: https://stickybacks.uk/grossi.asp .