Quinn CollectionA three page letter written on three sheets of unlined, buff-coloured paper (0908.a1-3). Letter is headed 542 Jersey Street, San Francisco, phone AJ 2-0309 and dated 20/12/52. The matching envelope (0908.b) is addressed to Mr Allen [sic] Quinn. It has been re- addressed from C/- Australia House, The Strand, London, England to 8 Gloucester Walk, W8. Written in the top left hand corner is N Cowley, 542 Jersey St. S.F. Calif. Below this is a purple post office 'Returned To Sender From San Francisco Postage Due.' stamp . This is partially obscured by one of the five three-cent postage stamps placed across the top and down the right hand side of the envelope. 'Air Mail' is written diagonally across the lower left hand corner. On the back is a partially legible postmark dated 2 January 1953. The postmark on the front is illegible. Letter commences "Dear Allen [sic]...." and concludes "...Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from Pat, Darline, Allen and Norman your Yavla Swenska Shipmate,"letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, london, norm cowley

In 1899, British soldiers and sailors were in South Africa fighting the second Boer War which lasted from 1899 to 1902. Queen Victoria was concerned about the morale of her army and navy and wanted to do something to lift their spirits. She would send chocolate to all of her army and navy serving in South Africa (including Australian contingents) as a Christmas/New Year gift in 1899/1900. The chocolate manufacturer, Cadbury, which since around 1854 had a Royal Warrant to supply Queen Victoria with cocoa and chocolate, was contacted and requested to produce the royal bars of chocolate, each with its own individual tin. This put Richard and George Cadbury in a dilemma because, as Quakers, they were pacifists and did not agree with the war. However they did not want to refuse a request from the Queen. To prevent their confectionery rivals from accusing them of going against their principles, their solution was to invite fellow Quakers, Joseph Fry and Joseph Rowntree to form a temporary three-way partnership to complete the order. Forty thousand tins, designed and made by Fry, were produced in two different sizes. The larger of the tins (15 x 9 cm) has a gold coloured rim around the edge of the lid and contained two layers of chocolate. The slightly smaller or rather thinner tin (16 x 8 cm) has a blue rim around the edge of the lid and contained one layer of chocolate. The design of the lid of both sizes is the same. It was decided by all three companies, that the tins would carry no brand name. However Queen Victoria was not amused by this decision; she wanted her army and navy to know that she was sending them quality British chocolate. As a compromise, the Cadbury name appeared on interior packaging of the chocolate. The tins remained unbranded. The empty tins had a more sombre use for for men killed in action. The tins, containing their few personal belongings, were sent home to the next of kin. The tins were not large and may have contained items such as medals, talismans, coins, jewellery, photos, letters and dog tags.Sheet metal tin with hinged lid. In the middle of the red lid of the tin is a gold-coloured embossed picture of Queen Victoria's head. To the left is Queen Victoria's insignia, and to the right are the words "South Africa 1900" and is inscribed "I wish you a happy New Year" and signed Victoria running along the bottom.gift to defence personnel from queen victoria. gift sent at christmas / new year in 1899/1900, gift sent at christmas / new year 1899/1900

Black and white postcard: female portrait postcard of a young girl in a white dress, white socks and shoes, a white ribbon in her fair hair which is curled in tails, wearing a necklace standing in front of a flower picture background next to a woven seat and plant. On back 'To teacher wishing you a merry xmas and a happy new year from little Ema'.Yeoman & Co., Bendigo & Eaglehawkphoto, person, young girl, black & white postcard, yeoman & co., bendigo & eaglehawk, female portrait, little ema

LYDIA CHANCELLOR COLLECTION: CHRISTMAS CARD Front of Card: Embroided with coloured cotton - two birds and flowers - with wording 'Christmas Greetings' Inside of card: sketch of two Chinese ornaments in red ink; Red printing 'With Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year'. The card is signed in blue ink in large script - 'indiscipable' On the back in red ink - 'made in Hong Kong'person, individual, lydia chancellor