One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original mounted photograph showing the old railway crossing in Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. The removal of the train level crossing and the elevation of the rail line above the road was designed to enable the laying of tram tracks along Glenferrie Road. The buildings to the right of the photo were being demolished to allow for this. "The Don Store" is immediately behind the crossing.Annotated verso: "1912 / Demolishing shops near Glenferrie Railway Station, just prior to the regrading of line to camberwell / Taken by E.J. Dower 1912"theme --- travelling by tram, theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, glenferrie railway station, glenferrie road -- hawthorn (vic.), railways -- hawthorn

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original mounted photograph showing a worker standing on a ladder in Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, working on the overhead electric cables that would be used to power trams on the New Kew tramline.Other railway workers are working on platforms or viewing the man on the ladder. The ladder appears to be only supported by one other worker. "The Don Store" at left is immediately behind the old railway level crossing which can be seen in the distance to the south.Annotated verso: "Preparing for electric trams in Glenferrie Road, near Glenferrie Station, showing railway gates / Taken by E.J. Dower 1914"theme --- travelling by tram, theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, glenferrie road -- hawthorn (vic.), railways -- hawthorn

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original mounted photograph showing Glenferrie Road Hawthorn, looking north towards the old railway level crossing that existed before the line was elevated on a bridge over Glenferrie Road. "The Don Store" at right is immediately behind the old railway level crossing. The tree and shops at left before the crossing were to be removed / demolished as part of the realignment of the train tracks.Annotated verso: "1914 [deleted]/1913 / Glenferrie Road showing railway gates / Taken just before the commencement of the regrading of railway line to Camberwell".theme --- travelling by tram, theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, glenferrie road -- hawthorn (vic.), railways -- hawthorn, the don store -- hawthorn (vic.)

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original mounted photograph showing Glenferrie Road Hawthorn, looking north towards the old railway level crossing that existed before the line was elevated on a bridge over Glenferrie Road. "The Don Store" at right is immediately behind the old railway level crossing. The tree and shops at left before the crossing were to be removed / demolished as part of the realignment of the train tracks.Annotated verso: "Glenferrie Road, Glenferrie, showing railway gates and Walker's Store / Taken prior to the construction of electric tramline and the regrading of Camberwell Railway Line / Taken by E.J. Dower about 1912".theme --- travelling by tram, theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, glenferrie road -- hawthorn (vic.), railways -- hawthorn, the don store -- hawthorn (vic.)

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines, railways and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of a an original mounted photograph showing the Camberwell Railway station being demolished and the Auburn Railway Station. The photos were later dated by the photographer as being taken in 1915.verso: "2015 / Top picture - Original Camberwell railway station being demolished / Bottom picture - Original Auburn Railway station on left / Taken by E.J. Dower"theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, camberwell railway station, auburn railway station, theme - travelling by train

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines, railways and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original mounted photograph showing workers excavating Riversdale Road, Camberwell, in preparation for the laying of the new electric tramline.Verso: "Riversdale Road between Wattle Valley and Highfield Roads"theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, riversdale road - camberwell (vic.), theme -- travelling by tram

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines, railways and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original mounted photograph depicting workers regrading the Camberwell Railway line following the demolition of the original Camberwell Railway Station. The level crossing gates at Burke Road can be seen in the distance. Named buildings include The Assembly Hall at right.Verso: "1915 / Regrading Camberwell Railway Line / Note Railway Gates on Burke Road / Taken by E.J. Dower"theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, theme - camberwell railway station, theme - travelling by train

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines, railways and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original mounted photograph depicting workers regrading the Camberwell Railway line following the demolition of the original Camberwell Railway Station. The photographer noted the presence of a wheeled 'steam shovel' at left Verso: "1915 / Regrading Camberwell railway line taken just east of Camberwell Station / Note steam shovel at work / Taken by E.J.D."theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, theme - camberwell railway station, theme - travelling by train

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines, railways and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original oval mounted photograph depicting workers regrading the Camberwell Railway line in the vicinity of Burke Road following the demolition of the original Camberwell Railway Station. Verso: "1915 / Regrading Camberwell railway line, near Burke Road / Taken by E.J.Dower."theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, theme - camberwell railway station, theme - travelling by train

One of a series of photographs, taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, his family later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines, railways and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Dandenong Office.The image is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.Digital copy of an original oval mounted photograph depicting workers regrading the Camberwell Railway line following the demolition of the original Camberwell Railway Station. The level crossing gates at Burke Road can be seen in the distance. Named buildings include The Assembly Hall at right.Verso: "1915 / Regrading Camberwell railway line, near Burke Road / Taken by E.J.Dower."theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, theme - camberwell railway station, theme - travelling by train

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The logo in the middle of the words ‘POST CARD’ indicates the card was printed by M. Schulz in Prague. Schulz was a long-established company from Prague and printed postcards for customers from worldwide. Schulz printed in photo-chromolithography. The Curator’s lodge, designed by the Town Surveyor, HV Champion, was constructed in 1907 following the re-organisation of the north-east corner with the demolition of the old curator's cottage and erection of new gates. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. The card also demonstrates how postcards were used as a method of contact in contrast to the contemporary use as souvenirs. A colour image of a house (the Curators lodge) behind a fence with two children sitting on it. There are two large Cordylines, one in the forefront of the image standing in lawn and surrounded by pink flowers, and one closer to the house. The house is brown timber with two brick chimneys and has a green corrugated iron roof with gables over the windows at the front and side.Front: ‘The Lodge, / Williamstown Gardens’. Reverse: Centre top ‘POST CARD’ with a logo [MS] in the middle of the words; left side vertical ‘O. Rippon Series’; left side ‘This space may be used for communication.’; right side ‘For Address only.’; left side bottom ‘Printed in Germany’. There is a one penny red Tasmanian stamp on the top right hand corner. The card is addressed to ‘Miss E G Holford / 60 Upton St, / Launceston, / Tasmania.’ Top left corner in pencil ‘$10’ (believed to be inserted by the vendor.postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, curator’s lodge, children, cordyline

After a quiet period, interest in bookplates in Australia began to increase in the early 1970s, Entrepreneurial art and book collectors such as Edwin Jewell and others commissioned multiple Bookplate designs from a range of well known fine artists. At a 1997 meeting in Melbourne of the Ephemera Society of Australia Edwin Jewell and others announced the formation of the Australian Bookplate Society. The society was instrumental in promoting the art of the bookplate through establishment of the Australian Bookplate Design competition. The competition includes a design award for International bookplate designers and graphic artists.Image of masqueraded lady holding fan and book with Ex Libris on book cover and initialled MK on spine with Nola D on right corner and signed Mary Keep in the plate.Inscribed Mary Keep in pencil in plate below image. mask, masquerade, fan, gloves, book

After a quiet period, interest in bookplates in Australia began to increase in the early 1970s, Entrepreneurial art and book collectors such as Edwin Jewell and others commissioned multiple Bookplate designs from a range of well known fine artists. At a 1997 meeting in Melbourne of the Ephemera Society of Australia Edwin Jewell and others announced the formation of the Australian Bookplate Society. The society was instrumental in promoting the art of the bookplate through establishment of the Australian Bookplate Design competition. The competition includes a design award for International bookplate designers and graphic artists.Pair of dolphins on blue background framed in a gilt edged medallion inside a border of leaves against a sage colour.Pencilled beneath the plate 'Photoplay 3/10 "Dolphin Love" and Artist's signature dated 2020'.dolphins, ex libris, bookplates, australian bookplate design awards 2020

After a quiet period, interest in bookplates in Australia began to increase in the early 1970s, Entrepreneurial art and book collectors such as Edwin Jewell and others commissioned multiple Bookplate designs from a range of well known fine artists. At a 1997 meeting in Melbourne of the Ephemera Society of Australia Edwin Jewell and others announced the formation of the Australian Bookplate Society. The society was instrumental in promoting the art of the bookplate through establishment of the Australian Bookplate Design competition. The competition includes a design award for International bookplate designers and graphic artists.Goanna on pole forming left border of plate with graving tools lower right framed in loose black border on three sides with MK in block.Signed in pencil beneath block Mary Keep.goanna, gravure

After a quiet period, interest in bookplates in Australia began to increase in the early 1970s, Entrepreneurial art and book collectors such as Edwin Jewell and others commissioned multiple Bookplate designs from a range of well known fine artists. At a 1997 meeting in Melbourne of the Ephemera Society of Australia Edwin Jewell and others announced the formation of the Australian Bookplate Society. The society was instrumental in promoting the art of the bookplate through establishment of the Australian Bookplate Design competition. The competition includes a design award for International bookplate designers and graphic artists.Pelican readingSigned Mary Keep in pencil beneath plate.pelican, book, ed jewell, australian bookplate design awards

Yields information about the operation by the Begonia Festival and in particular when 661 was repainted.Set of 8 colour prints of BTPS trams during the 1984 Begonia Festival, just after the repainting of 661 has been completed. Each print has two small copies of the main photo on the right hand side. Printed on Sakuracolor paper. .1 - 661, 27 and 38 at the depot .2 - 661 at St Aidans drive with the parking fee collectors in the view. Interior cab view showing controller, brake handle and pressure gauge. .3 - crossing 14 at the loop. .4 - 661 and 27 at the depot .5 - interior view of No. 14 .6 - interior view of depot with 28 and 26 being rebuilt in the view. .7. - interior view of 661 .8 - interior view of 661 with the tram being swept out. trams, tramways, begonia festival, btm, depot, wendouree parade, tram 661, tram 27, tram 38, tram 14, tram 28, tram 26

BHS CollectionCity of Bendigo Rate Receipt: Receipt no 3827 dated 8th June 1917. White paper with black print. Received from Mr M. Kelly, two pounds. Amount of Local government Act Rate made 7th December, 1916, on the property situate in Pall Mall and numbered as above in the City Rate book. K.J. Brown Rate Collector. £2:. City of Bendigo receipt no. 3827 dated 8th June 1917. Received the sum of eight shillings four pence, amount of Health Rate Act made 7th December, 1916, on the property situate and numbered as above in the City Rate Book. K.J. Brown. £ :8:4 pence. From 01/10/16 to 30/09/17. Box 625bendigo, council, city of bendigo. k. j. brown. m kelly

Digitised video (2.42GB). Duration: 55 minutes. Recorded March, 2024 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)This month's Guest Presenter - Greg Hill, is recognised as the leading authority on both Australian Colonial Pottery and Australian Art Pottery. His interest in Australian pottery goes back to the early 1960s. He has been an avid collector of Australian pottery for many decades and has researched many key producers, particularly in Victoria. Greg has also assisted RDHS to evaluate the ceramic tiles featured at the front of Ringwood's historic Blood Bros. Store.

Coaster showing 'Pannam's Store 1900' is historically incorrect as Pannam did not come to Vermont until c1934. It appears that it was known as 'Vermont Store' in 1900.Boxed set of six square coasters with rounded edges. Gilded alloy surface etched with black line graphics featuring scenes of early of the former municipality of Nunawading. Each coaster is backed with blue foam/felt. Rectangular presentation box with maroon colour lid - label inside.On each coaster-:|Pannam's Store, Vermont 1900|First Nunawading Council Chambers 1925|Backhouse's Dairy 1920|Nunawading Coat of Arms 1872|Blackburn Railway Crossing 1882|Schwerkolt Cottage Pump 1864|On label is typed 'Collector's Item. This is one of only 100 sets of coasters showing early Nunawading, designed by Jean Abbott, for Nunawading Arts Council to celebrate Victoria's 150 anniversary'|Written in ink '75'. Signature in ink 'jean Abbott'.civic mementoes, souvenirs, domestic items, table setting

Black and white photograph (3 copies- 2 in photograph studio embossed presentation folder)Ringwood Borough Council. Councillors, officers and architect and builder of Town Hall. Left to right - Front Row. A.F.B. Long, Cr. A.T. Miles, J.B. McAlpin. Second Row. J. K. McCaskill, R.G., Wilkins, F.R. Lucas, Eng. Third row. M. J. Jenkins (rate collector), A.C. Leith, architect, A.J. Roberts (builder), Mr. Taylor, Health Inspector. Taken on steps of new town hall, August 1927".

This Bible was owned by Janet Hose (nee Murfitt) 1856-1947. She was married to George Hose and they lived in Warrnambool for all of their married life. They had eleven children and all the births and some of the deaths of the children are recorded in this little Bible. The book was purchased from James Hider who had been a carpenter, a land agent and a rate collector before he established a bookstore in Timor Street in the 1860s. He was heavily involved in community affairs, being a local Councillor and Mayor in 1868-9. He was also an early commercial photographer in Warrnambool. This small Bible is of great interest because of its connection to the Hose family in Warrnambool. In the book are recorded the births and deaths of members of the Hose family. It was a common custom in the 19th century to include family history details in family Bibles and some larger-style Bibles had pages specifically printed to include family history material. This Bible is also of antiquarian interest, an attractive item with its leather cover and gold clasp.This is a mottled brown leather-covered Bible of 840 pages. The pages are gilt-edged and there is a gold metal clasp to close over the pages. Inside the front and back pages there are signatures and other handwritten material, some written in black ink and some in pencil. There is also a label from the Warrnambool book shop and stationery store of James Hider. The inscription pages and the front cover are stained. The cover is also rubbed. ‘J.Hider Opposite the Post Office Warrnambool’ ‘Janet Hose 19/07, 78,83 (Plus the family history details of the Hose Family, mostly on the back pages) janet and george hose, history of warrnambool

Ferdinand von Mueller was born at Rostock, Germany, on 30 June 1825 , died at Melbourne, Australia, on 10 October 1896. He studied pharmacy and took his Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Kiel in 1847. He came to Australia in 1848 for health reasons and became a great botanical collector and writer. He was Victorian Government Botanist from 1853, and for a time Director of the Botanic Gardens. He travelled widely in Victoria and was on the A.C.Gregory expedition to northern Australia in 1855-57. He also founded the National Herbarium of Victoria. He named many Australian plants.Mueller was one of the first people to take a scientific interest in Victorian forests, and argued against indiscriminate clearing of land. This item is a useful research tool.A 244 pp book, cover missing, botany victoria-botany baron-ferdinand-von-mueller

Collector says: "As a general rule I only collected blankets with a label, but there are always exceptions. The colour ways of these 3 are just so gorgeous I had to include them - especially as the brown and blue from the Bass Valley op shop was 1 dollar! The cream one with the mint panel + watermelon stripe is one of my favourite blankets ever despite no label - it looks like the blanket version of the Agnes Martin painting called Gratitude which is exactly how I felt finding this simple, beautiful, well kept blanket. Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from."Double sized cream blanket with watermelon and mint stripesNo inscriptionwool, blanket, blanket fever, no label

Collector says: "As a general rule I only collected blankets with a label, but there are always exceptions. The colour ways of these 3 are just so gorgeous I had to include them - especially as the brown and blue from the Bass Valley op shop was 1 dollar! The cream one with the mint panel + watermelon stripe is one of my favourite blankets ever despite no label - it looks like the blanket version of the Agnes Martin painting called Gratitude which is exactly how I felt finding this simple, beautiful, well kept blanket.Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from."Double sized, checked blanket, brown, blue and creamNo inscriptionwool, blanket, blanket fever, no label