The Kew Light Opera Company was formed in 1952, and mounted a number of musical and variety productions each year until it was subsumed in the "Q" Theatre Guild in 1957. Most of the Company's performances took place in the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, Kew. A list of its productions by year includes: 1952 Florodora 1953 The Cingalee 1953 San Toy OR The Emperor’s Own 1953 Celebratory variety performance 195? While the Sun Shines 1954 A Country Girl 1954 Our Miss Gibbs 1955 The Toreador 1955 The Arcadians 1956 The Maid of the Mountains 1956 Whiteoaks 1956 Good night Vienna! 1957 A Country GirlThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme isued by the Kew Light Opera Company for a performance of the Australian premiere of 'Goodnight Vienna!' by Marvell and Posford. Performances were held in the Kew Recreation Hall in 1956. The programme forms part of a scrapbook that includes programmes, photographs and theatre reviews for the Kew Light Opera Company and later "Q" Theatre Guild.theatre (kew), performing arts, goodnight vienna! (musical), kew light opera company, kew recreation hall

The Kew Light Opera Company was formed in 1952, and mounted a number of musical and variety productions each year until it was subsumed in the "Q" Theatre Guild in 1957. Most of the Company's performances took place in the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, Kew. A list of its productions by year includes: 1952 Florodora 1953 The Cingalee 1953 San Toy OR The Emperor’s Own 1953 Celebratory variety performance 195? While the Sun Shines 1954 A Country Girl 1954 Our Miss Gibbs 1955 The Toreador 1955 The Arcadians 1956 The Maid of the Mountains 1956 Whiteoaks 1956 Good night Vienna! 1957 A Country GirlThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme isued by The Kew Light Opera Company for a revival of 'A Country Girl' by Lionel Monckton. Performances were held in the Kew Recreation Hall in 5, 6, 7, 8 June 1957. The programme forms part of a scrapbook that includes programmes, photographs and theatre reviews for the Kew Light Opera Company and later "Q" Theatre Guild.theatre (kew), theatre groups (kew), performing arts, kew recreation hall, a country girl (musical)

The Kew Light Opera Company was formed in 1952, and mounted a number of musical and variety productions each year until it was subsumed in the "Q" Theatre Guild in 1957. Most of the Company's performances took place in the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, Kew. A known list of its productions by year includes: 1952 Florodora 1953 The Cingalee 1953 San Toy OR The Emperor’s Own 1953 Celebratory variety performance 195? While the Sun Shines 1954 A Country Girl 1954 Our Miss Gibbs 1955 The Toreador 1955 The Arcadians 1956 The Maid of the Mountains 1956 Whiteoaks 1956 Good night Vienna! 1957 A Country GirlThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme isued by the Kew Light Opera Company for a performance of Leslie Stuart's light musical comedy - Florodora. Performances were held in the Kew Recreation Hall on 27, 28, 29 September and 1 October 1952. This was the first production by the company. No. 816kew light opera company, performing arts, florodora (musical), theatre groups (kew), kew recreation hall

The Kew Light Opera Company was formed in 1952, and mounted a number of musical and variety productions each year until it was subsumed in the "Q" Theatre Guild in 1957. Most of the Company's performances took place in the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, Kew. A known list of its productions by year includes: 1952 Florodora 1953 The Cingalee 1953 San Toy OR The Emperor’s Own 1953 Celebratory variety performance 195? While the Sun Shines 1954 A Country Girl 1954 Our Miss Gibbs 1955 The Toreador 1955 The Arcadians 1956 The Maid of the Mountains 1956 Whiteoaks 1956 Good night Vienna! 1957 A Country GirlThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme issued for a celebratory variety performance. The programme forms part of a scrapbook that includes programmes, photographs and theatre reviews for the Kew Light Opera Company and later "Q" Theatre Guild.kew light opera company, performing arts, theatre groups (kew)

Trio Di Bolzano, City Hall, Bendigo, Friday, 25th October, 1963, 8.15pm. Giannino Carpi: violin, Sante Amadori: cello, Nunzio Montanari: piano. The Music Advancement Society of Bendigo presents the Fifth Concert 1963 series By arrangement with Musica Viva of Australia. President L R Harvey, Hon. Secs. Madge Edgar, Elsie Flanagan, E Bright. Programme One Shilling. Advertisements: Edgar's Toy Shop & Authorised Newsagency, Hargreaves Street. Allan's Music Store, Allan's Walk. Hesse Bros. Electrical Sales Pty Ltd., Lyttleton Terrace. Copies a, b, & c are of the same program.Boltons Print., Bendigoprogram, music, music advancement society bendigo, trio di bolzano, city hall, bendigo, 25th october, 1963. giannino carpi: violin, sante amadori: cello, nunzio montanari: piano. the music advancement society of bendigo fifth concert 1963 musica viva of australia. president l r harvey, hon. secs. madge edgar, elsie flanagan, e bright. advertisements: edgar's toy shop & authorised newsagency. allan's music store. hesse bros. electrical sales pty ltd.

Ruth Farren-Price, City Hall, Bendigo. The Music Advancement Society of Bendigo presents the Fourth Concert 1962 series. Piano Recital Ruth Farren-Price, City Hall, Bendigo. Tuesday, 18th September, 1962, 8.15 p.m. President L R Harvey, Joint Hon. Secs. Madge Edgar, Elsie Flanagan. Programme One Shilling. Advertisements: Allan's, music store. Alma Val, suits, frocks, sportswear, knitwear, coats', etc., Killian's walk, Bendigo. Edgar's Toy Shop, Authorised Newsagency. Light card, cream, blue wave print pattern with the words Hammermill Safety printed on it.Boltons Print., Bendigoprogram, music, music advancement society bendigo, ruth farren-price, city hall. music advancement society of bendigo presents the fourth concert 1962 series. piano recital ruth farren-price, 18th september, 1962. president l r harvey, joint hon. secs. madge edgar, elsie flanagan. advertisements: allan's. alma val, killian's. edgar's toy shop, authorised newsagency. hammermill safety

BHS CollectionFive page index of applications for mining leases taken out in Sandhurst, 1859-1862. Attached are print-outs of Government Gazette pages, showing entries that relate to applications for mining leases during the period 1858-1862. Slip of paper attached to front page reads: Applications for Mining Leases in the Mining District of Sandhurst 1859-1862, (Index prepared by staff at the Bendigo Goldfields Library) Note: no leases listed for Sandhurst from 1.1.1859-11.7.1859. Victorian Government Gazette, October 10, 1862, Issue 121, p 1954. Listed in index for 1862, but no leases found on that page. Phyllis Toy Collection: Government Gazette entries are described in pencil on side of Gazette page, example: Vic Govt Gazette, 13/9/1859 Issue 146, p 1936.adventure gold mine, mine leases 1858-1862, sandhurst, goldmining

A large hardcover children's book with a coloured picture on the front cover of two boys and a girl preparing a toy yacht to sail on a pond in a park. The title Children's friend is in large white lettering at the top and the illustrator Van Jones is at the bottom. The green cloth spine has just the title printed in black lettering on the side. The stories and poems are by different authors, and some non fiction or information articles are at the back. A child has coloured many pictures with coloured pencils throughout. tanning, loose pages and foxing is seen. Coloured plates and black and white illustrations are noted. On the front endpapers are stampings of trains, buildings, a lighthouse and man. fictionA large children's book of assorted stories, poems and facts written by different authors. children's fiction, children's stories

When celluloid was invented and first came to prominence in the 1870s, dolls were nearly all breakable and fragile--bisque and china dolls were easily shattered and papier mache and wax easily ruined. So doll companies started experimenting with celluloid to mould dolls. By the early 1900s, celluloid dolls were plentiful, since celluloid was easily moulded and generally inexpensive. Celluloid is one of the first synthetic plastics. It is a plastic created from wood products that includes cellulose nitrate and camphor. However Celluloid is flammable and deteriorates easily if exposed to moisture, and can be prone to cracking and yellowing with certain formulations. Celluloid dolls were produced as late as the 1950s, but the vast majority were produced from 1900 through the 1940s. The knitted outfit was made by an unrecorded home knitter probably as a present for a child. A very small celluloid doll dressed as a boy in fine hand -knitted hat, vest, jacket and pants.celluloid, dolls, knitting, wool, craftwork, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, toys

Primarily working across painting and digital art, Lazzaro’s artworks are characterised by figures of wrestlers, vampires, zombies, toys and subjects from imaginary worlds. Often using gouache, acrylic and paint pen, Lazzaro’s imagery blends sinister interpretations with a quirky sense of humour. Lazzarro’s works usually depict historical figures, pop-culture icons or people he has met or seen. This work depicts two women holding hands. Lazzaro has been a regular studio artist at Arts Project Australia since 2004. Arts Project Australia supports artists with intellectual disabilities through their studio and gallery, promoting artists’ work and advocating for their inclusion in contemporary art practice.

This dressed doll was owned by the daughter of Dr William Roy Angus and his wife Gladys when the family came to Warrnambool in the late 1930s. It is part of the W.R. Angus collection, donated by the family of Dr W R Angus, surgeon and oculist. The doll was donated with another dress and a blanket. The doll has features similar to, but an earlier model than, Reliable's 1940s model Cuddlekins doll, which has an entirely composite body. ReliableToy Company was founded in Toronto, Canada, by Solomon Samuels in 1920. Samuels was later joined by his two brothers. The company had a reputation for products of good quality. In 1922 the company began making their own dolls from composition, where previously the parts were made elsewhere and assembled by Reliable. The company stopped making Reliable dolls in 1995. The W R Angus Collection spans from 1885 to the mid-1900s and includes historical medical and surgical equipment and instruments from the doctors Edward and Thomas Ryan of Nhill, Victoria. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1927 at Ballarat, the nearest big city to Nhill where he began as a Medical Assistant. He was also Acting House surgeon at the Nhill hospital where their two daughters were born. Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool in 1939, where Dr Angus operated his own medical practice. He later added the part-time Port Medical Officer responsibility and was the last person appointed to that position. Dr Angus and his wife were very involved in the local community, including the planning stages of the new Flagstaff Hill and the layout of the gardens there. Dr Angus passed away in March 1970.This doll is connected to the history of Warrnambool, as it was owned by the daughter of Dr W. R. Angus and his wife Gladys, and is part of the W.R. Angus Collection, which is important for still being located at the site connected to Doctor Angus, Warrnambool’s last Port Medical Officer. Dr Angus and his wife brought their young family to Warrnambool in 1939 and he remained a resident until his death in 1970. Early in his profession in the town of Nhill, Dr Angus assisted Dr Tom Ryan in his pioneering use of X-rays and in ocular surgery, and Dr Angus later inherited these items. The W.R. Angus Collection includes these medical instruments and other related equipment and is culturally and historically significant as an example of the medical practice of the late 19th to the mid-20th century. Other items in the collection relate to Dr Angus’ service in the Flying Doctor Service and the Army. The doll is also significant as an example of toys imported into Australia in the 1930s and 1940s and used by children in the Warrnambool community.Doll with moulded composition head, neck, arms and legs, all attached to a fabric body. The doll’s head has brown moulded curls. The facial features include an open mouth showing two top teeth, green eyes, and sleeping, closing eyelids with eyelashes. The doll has a crier inside that makes a sound when the doll is turned over. It is clothed in a knitted pink singlet, modern pink underwear, and a cream flannel short-sleeved dress with pink smocking and embroidery, and ties at the rear. There is a moulded inscription on the back of the doll’s head. The doll was made by Reliable Toy Company Ltd, Canada. The doll is part of the W.R. Angus Collection.On the back of the head “RELIABLE / CANADA”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, dr w r angus, dr roy angus, dr ryan, warrnambool oculist, port medical officer, mira hospital nhill, toy, nhill hospital, doll, baby doll, composition doll, reliable toy company, canada, solomon samuels, child's toy, w.r. angus collection

a & b The Smetana Quartet, City Hall, Bendigo. The Music Advancement Society of Bendigo presents the Fifth Concert 1962 series. By arrangement with Music Viva Society of Australia. Friday, 19th October, 1962 at 8.15 pm. President L R Harvey. Joint Hon. Secs. Madge Edgar, Elsie Flanagan. Programme One Shilling. Programme. Advertisements: George Logie Smith Lecture _ Art Gallery16th November at 8 pm. Annual Meeting Committee Room City Hall, 28th November 8 pm., All subscribers welcome. Allan's, Celebrity Recordings. Hesse Bros. Electrical Sales Pty Ltd., Television. Edgar's Toy Shop, Authorised Newsagency.Boltons, Print., Bendigoprogram, music, music advancement society bendigo, smetana quartet, city hall, bendigo. music advancement society of bendigo presents the fifth concert 1962 series.music viva society of australia. friday, 19 october, 1962, 8.15 pm. president l r harvey. joint hon. secs. madge edgar, elsie flanagan.. advertisements: george logie smith lecture _ art gallery16 november at 8 pm. annual meeting committee room city hall, 28 november 8 pm., allan's. hesse bros. electrical sales television. edgar's toy shop, newsagency.

Event, Bendigo Y.M.C.A., Y's Workbox, Display & Demonstration of Hand Crafts, at The Y.M.C.A. Stadium, Mundy Street, Bendigo, Sunday October 27, 1985, 10am - 5pm. Admission: Adults $2.00 , Children 50c, Devonshire Teas $1.20. Crafts include: Plate Decorations, Wood Carving, Tatting, Bonsai, Filet Crochet, Patchwork, Jigsaws, Model Ships in Bottles, Knitting from Fleece, Soft Toys, Silversmithing, Christmas Decorations, Floral Art, Wood Turning, Pickled People, Padded Baskets, Machine Embroidery, Applique, Knitting, Overlocking, Latchhook Rugs, Make-Up (TV & Films), Bobbin Lace, Printing, Golden North Centre.event, exhibition, bendigo y.m.c.a.

Popular from early twentieth century. Based on comic strip illustration by Rose O'Neill that appeared in Ladies Home Journal in 1909. First produced in Ohrdruf, Germany. Made out of bisque, then celluloid , hard plastic versions from 1949. Name derived from "cupid" the Roman god of beauty. The time capsule at 1939 New York World' Fair contained a Kewpie doll. The term "Kewpie doll" is sometimes mistakenly applied to the troll doll. This particular style of doll was awarded as a carnival prize and often collected. Many other articles were made using their images[ Wikipedia, 2012]. Added to the collection as part of a Toys and Games exhibition. Many visitors commented on having owned one when they were growing upA flesh coloured plastic jointed kewpie doll. It has rigid painted eyes, webbed fingers, head,arms and legs jointed to body so can move them, "cowlick" hair on top of head, above ears and nape of neck, back spine and bottom clearly moulded, smiling painted lips

Photograph of 2 Junior Legatees with a crewman during an outing at HMAS Cerberus. It was published in the 1981 Annual Report with the caption: 'Melbourne Legacy acknowledges with gratitude the wide ranging and willing support of the Defence Services. Shown with Able Seaman Paul Dunleavy during a tour of HMAS Cerberus as Junior Legatees Amanda Stains of Oak Park and Michael Kavanagh of Wodonga.' The photo came from a Legacy envelope marked P7, 1966. The contents were described in red pen as: 1 Christmas Party / Govt House 2 Toy presentation Dept of Education 3 Residence Christmas party 3 HMAS Cerberus / Operation Float / Operation Firewood (added in blue pen). (these other items will be items 00411 to 00416)A record of the items and events provided to Junior Legatees.Black and white photo of Junior Legatees visiting HMAS Cerberus.On reverse: "77%" in blue pen. Was stored in an envelope marked P7, listing it's contents in red pen and 1966 in pencil.junior legatee outing, operation float

Photograph of a truck of firewood delivering wood for Operation Firewood, where firewood was delivered to widows. Some 400 tonnes of cut firewood was distributed amongst legacy Widows in the Melbourne Metropolitan Area this year (c1966). The firewood is collected by Cobram/Yarrawonga Group of Melbourne Legacy and transported free of charge to Melbourne by transport firms who provide trucks and drivers without charge. It came from a Legacy envelope marked P7, 1966. The contents were described in red pen as: 1 Christmas Party / Govt House 2 Toy presentation Dept of Education 3 Residence Christmas party 3 HMAS Cerberus / Operation Float / Operation Firewood (added in blue pen). (these other items will be items 00411 to 00416)A record of the work done to support widows.Black and white photo of a truck with a load of firewood and a paper label.Stuck on paper label says "Some 400 tonnes of cut firewood was distributed amongst legacy Widows in the Melbourne Metropolitan Area this year. The firewood is collected by Cobram/Yarrawonga Group of Melbourne Legacy and transported free of charge to Melbourne by transport firms who provide trucks and drivers without charge". Was stored in an envelope marked P7, listing it's contents in red pen and 1966 in pencil.operation firewood, widows

Colour slides of a demonstration at the Olympic Swimming Pool stadium in 1960. The first appears to be the finale with Australian flags. Other routines include a Dutch scene with windmills, a toy solider marching parade with a sleigh and with one with the girls holding pink balls (catalogued separately). Throughout the year Melbourne Legacy provided classes for Junior Legatees such as dancing, gymnastics and eurythmics. The Demonstration was an annual event to showcase their skills. Melbourne Legacy conducted Annual Demonstrations / Parades from 1928 through to 1979. Was with many other slides taken in the 1950s and 1960s. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of different routines in an Annual Demonstration at the Olympic Swimming Pool stadium.Colour slides x 9 of a Demonstration at Olympic Swimming Pool, in a cardboard mount.Handwritten on front 'Demo 1960' in blue pen and some have numbers.annual demonstration, marching, girls classes

The ribbon is a souvenir of the first 'Australia Day', held 30 July 1915. This was not the celebration of nationhood as we know it today, but a national fundraising effort during World War I. Across Australia, this day was set aside for fundraising to assist wounded soldiers returning to Australia during WWI. In Linton Australia Day 1915 was celebrated with a jumble sale, raffles, and the collection of donations. There was also a stall outside the Shire Offices, attended by a group of girls dressed as Red Cross nurses, which sold flowers, postcards, toys and souvenirs. Mrs Surman, then Stella Todd, was one of this group of girls, along with her sister Millie Todd. (See photograph, Registration no. 055.) Presumably the souvenir ribbon was purchased by one of the Todd family on this day.Small white-blue silk ribbon. Printed - black writing - flags - Australia and Britain. Map of Australia. This ribbon was part of a collection of historical items belonging to Mrs. Stella Surman (formerly Stella Todd), of Linton."Australia-Day-1915" "Remember Australia's Heroes"australia day 1915, world war 1914-1918, souvenirs

Prior to carrying out a detailed condition report of the cetacean skeletons, it is useful to have an understanding of the materials we are likely to encounter, in terms of structure and chemistry. This entry invites you to join in learning about the composition of whale bone and oil. Whale bone (Cetacean) bone is comprised of a composite structure of both an inorganic matrix of mainly hydroxylapatite (a calcium phosphate mineral), providing strength and rigidity, as well as an organic protein ‘scaffolding’ of mainly collagen, facilitating growth and repair (O’Connor 2008, CCI 2010). Collagen is also the structural protein component in cartilage between the whale vertebrae and attached to the fins of both the Killer Whale and the Dolphin. Relative proportions in the bone composition (affecting density), are linked with the feeding habits and mechanical stresses typically endured by bones of particular whale types. A Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758) skeleton (toothed) thus has a higher mineral value (~67%) than a Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus Linnaeus, 1758) (baleen) (~60%) (Turner Walker 2012). The internal structure of bone can be divided into compact and cancellous bone. In whales, load-bearing structures such as mandibles and upper limb bones (e.g. humerus, sternum) are largely composed of compact bone (Turner Walker 2012). This consists of lamella concentrically deposited around the longitudinal axis and is permeated by fluid carrying channels (O’Connor 2008). Cancellous (spongy) bone, with a highly porous angular network of trabeculae, is less stiff and thus found in whale ribs and vertebrae (Turner Walker 2012). Whale oil Whales not only carry a thick layer of fat (blubber) in the soft tissue of their body for heat insulation and as a food store while they are alive, but also hold large oil (lipid) reserves in their porous bones. Following maceration of the whale skeleton after death to remove the soft tissue, the bones retain a high lipid content (Higgs et. al 2010). Particularly bones with a spongy (porous) structure have a high capacity to hold oil-rich marrow. Comparative data of various whale species suggests the skull, particularly the cranium and mandible bones are particularly oil rich. Along the vertebral column, the lipid content is reduced, particularly in the thoracic vertebrae (~10-25%), yet greatly increases from the lumbar to the caudal vertebrae (~40-55%). The chest area (scapula, sternum and ribs) show a mid-range lipid content (~15-30%), with vertically orientated ribs being more heavily soaked lower down (Turner Walker 2012, Higgs et. al 2010). Whale oil is largely composed of triglycerides (molecules of fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule). In Arctic whales a higher proportion of unsaturated, versus saturated fatty acids make up the lipid. Unsaturated fatty acids (with double or triple carbon bonds causing chain kinks, preventing close packing (solidifying) of molecules), are more likely to be liquid (oil), versus solid (fat) at room temperature (Smith and March 2007). Objects Made From the Whaling Industry We all know that men set forth in sailing ships and risked their lives to harpoon whales on the open seas throughout the 1800s. And while Moby Dick and other tales have made whaling stories immortal, people today generally don't appreciate that the whalers were part of a well-organized industry. The ships that set out from ports in New England roamed as far as the Pacific in hunt of specific species of whales. Adventure may have been the draw for some whalers, but for the captains who owned whaling ships, and the investors which financed voyages, there was a considerable monetary payoff. The gigantic carcasses of whales were chopped and boiled down and turned into products such as the fine oil needed to lubricate increasing advanced machine tools. And beyond the oil derived from whales, even their bones, in an era before the invention of plastic, was used to make a wide variety of consumer goods. In short, whales were a valuable natural resource the same as wood, minerals, or petroleum we now pump from the ground. Oil From Whale’s Blubber Oil was the main product sought from whales, and it was used to lubricate machinery and to provide illumination by burning it in lamps. When a whale was killed, it was towed to the ship and its blubber, the thick insulating fat under its skin, would be peeled and cut from its carcass in a process known as “flensing.” The blubber was minced into chunks and boiled in large vats on board the whaling ship, producing oil. The oil taken from whale blubber was packaged in casks and transported back to the whaling ship’s home port (such as New Bedford, Massachusetts, the busiest American whaling port in the mid-1800s). From the ports it would be sold and transported across the country and would find its way into a huge variety of products. Whale oil, in addition to be used for lubrication and illumination, was also used to manufacture soaps, paint, and varnish. Whale oil was also utilized in some processes used to manufacture textiles and rope. Spermaceti, a Highly Regarded Oil A peculiar oil found in the head of the sperm whale, spermaceti, was highly prized. The oil was waxy, and was commonly used in making candles. In fact, candles made of spermaceti were considered the best in the world, producing a bright clear flame without an excess of smoke. Spermaceti was also used, distilled in liquid form, as an oil to fuel lamps. The main American whaling port, New Bedford, Massachusetts, was thus known as "The City That Lit the World." When John Adams was the ambassador to Great Britain before serving as president he recorded in his diary a conversation about spermaceti he had with the British Prime Minister William Pitt. Adams, keen to promote the New England whaling industry, was trying to convince the British to import spermaceti sold by American whalers, which the British could use to fuel street lamps. The British were not interested. In his diary, Adams wrote that he told Pitt, “the fat of the spermaceti whale gives the clearest and most beautiful flame of any substance that is known in nature, and we are surprised you prefer darkness, and consequent robberies, burglaries, and murders in your streets to receiving as a remittance our spermaceti oil.” Despite the failed sales pitch John Adams made in the late 1700s, the American whaling industry boomed in the early to mid-1800s. And spermaceti was a major component of that success. Spermaceti could be refined into a lubricant that was ideal for precision machinery. The machine tools that made the growth of industry possible in the United States were lubricated, and essentially made possible, by oil derived from spermaceti. Baleen, or "Whalebone" The bones and teeth of various species of whales were used in a number of products, many of them common implements in a 19th century household. Whales are said to have produced “the plastic of the 1800s.” The "bone" of the whale which was most commonly used wasn’t technically a bone, it was baleen, a hard material arrayed in large plates, like gigantic combs, in the mouths of some species of whales. The purpose of the baleen is to act as a sieve, catching tiny organisms in sea water, which the whale consumes as food. As baleen was tough yet flexible, it could be used in a number of practical applications. And it became commonly known as "whalebone." Perhaps the most common use of whalebone was in the manufacture of corsets, which fashionable ladies in the 1800s wore to compress their waistlines. One typical corset advertisement from the 1800s proudly proclaims, “Real Whalebone Only Used.” Whalebone was also used for collar stays, buggy whips, and toys. Its remarkable flexibility even caused it to be used as the springs in early typewriters. The comparison to plastic is apt. Think of common items which today might be made of plastic, and it's likely that similar items in the 1800s would have been made of whalebone. Baleen whales do not have teeth. But the teeth of other whales, such as the sperm whale, would be used as ivory in such products as chess pieces, piano keys, or the handles of walking sticks. Pieces of scrimshaw, or carved whale's teeth, would probably be the best remembered use of whale's teeth. However, the carved teeth were created to pass the time on whaling voyages and were never a mass production item. Their relative rarity, of course, is why genuine pieces of 19th century scrimshaw are considered to be valuable collectibles today. Reference: McNamara, Robert. "Objects Made From the Whaling Industry." ThoughtCo, Jul. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/products-produced-from-whales-1774070.Whale bone was an important commodity, used in corsets, collar stays, buggy whips, and toys.Whale bone piece. Advanced stage of calcification as indicated by deep pitting. Off white to grey.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, whales, whale bone, corsets, toys, whips

Prior to carrying out a detailed condition report of the cetacean skeletons, it is useful to have an understanding of the materials we are likely to encounter, in terms of structure and chemistry. This entry invites you to join in learning about the composition of whale bone and oil. Whale bone (Cetacean) bone is comprised of a composite structure of both an inorganic matrix of mainly hydroxylapatite (a calcium phosphate mineral), providing strength and rigidity, as well as an organic protein ‘scaffolding’ of mainly collagen, facilitating growth and repair (O’Connor 2008, CCI 2010). Collagen is also the structural protein component in cartilage between the whale vertebrae and attached to the fins of both the Killer Whale and the Dolphin. Relative proportions in the bone composition (affecting density), are linked with the feeding habits and mechanical stresses typically endured by bones of particular whale types. A Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus, 1758) skeleton (toothed) thus has a higher mineral value (~67%) than a Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus Linnaeus, 1758) (baleen) (~60%) (Turner Walker 2012). The internal structure of bone can be divided into compact and cancellous bone. In whales, load-bearing structures such as mandibles and upper limb bones (e.g. humerus, sternum) are largely composed of compact bone (Turner Walker 2012). This consists of lamella concentrically deposited around the longitudinal axis and is permeated by fluid carrying channels (O’Connor 2008). Cancellous (spongy) bone, with a highly porous angular network of trabeculae, is less stiff and thus found in whale ribs and vertebrae (Turner Walker 2012). Whale oil Whales not only carry a thick layer of fat (blubber) in the soft tissue of their body for heat insulation and as a food store while they are alive, but also hold large oil (lipid) reserves in their porous bones. Following maceration of the whale skeleton after death to remove the soft tissue, the bones retain a high lipid content (Higgs et. al 2010). Particularly bones with a spongy (porous) structure have a high capacity to hold oil-rich marrow. Comparative data of various whale species suggests the skull, particularly the cranium and mandible bones are particularly oil rich. Along the vertebral column, the lipid content is reduced, particularly in the thoracic vertebrae (~10-25%), yet greatly increases from the lumbar to the caudal vertebrae (~40-55%). The chest area (scapula, sternum and ribs) show a mid-range lipid content (~15-30%), with vertically orientated ribs being more heavily soaked lower down (Turner Walker 2012, Higgs et. al 2010). Whale oil is largely composed of triglycerides (molecules of fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule). In Arctic whales a higher proportion of unsaturated, versus saturated fatty acids make up the lipid. Unsaturated fatty acids (with double or triple carbon bonds causing chain kinks, preventing close packing (solidifying) of molecules), are more likely to be liquid (oil), versus solid (fat) at room temperature (Smith and March 2007). Objects Made From the Whaling Industry We all know that men set forth in sailing ships and risked their lives to harpoon whales on the open seas throughout the 1800s. And while Moby Dick and other tales have made whaling stories immortal, people today generally don't appreciate that the whalers were part of a well-organized industry. The ships that set out from ports in New England roamed as far as the Pacific in hunt of specific species of whales. Adventure may have been the draw for some whalers, but for the captains who owned whaling ships, and the investors which financed voyages, there was a considerable monetary payoff. The gigantic carcasses of whales were chopped and boiled down and turned into products such as the fine oil needed to lubricate increasing advanced machine tools. And beyond the oil derived from whales, even their bones, in an era before the invention of plastic, was used to make a wide variety of consumer goods. In short, whales were a valuable natural resource the same as wood, minerals, or petroleum we now pump from the ground. Oil From Whale’s Blubber Oil was the main product sought from whales, and it was used to lubricate machinery and to provide illumination by burning it in lamps. When a whale was killed, it was towed to the ship and its blubber, the thick insulating fat under its skin, would be peeled and cut from its carcass in a process known as “flensing.” The blubber was minced into chunks and boiled in large vats on board the whaling ship, producing oil. The oil taken from whale blubber was packaged in casks and transported back to the whaling ship’s home port (such as New Bedford, Massachusetts, the busiest American whaling port in the mid-1800s). From the ports it would be sold and transported across the country and would find its way into a huge variety of products. Whale oil, in addition to be used for lubrication and illumination, was also used to manufacture soaps, paint, and varnish. Whale oil was also utilized in some processes used to manufacture textiles and rope. Spermaceti, a Highly Regarded Oil A peculiar oil found in the head of the sperm whale, spermaceti, was highly prized. The oil was waxy, and was commonly used in making candles. In fact, candles made of spermaceti were considered the best in the world, producing a bright clear flame without an excess of smoke. Spermaceti was also used, distilled in liquid form, as an oil to fuel lamps. The main American whaling port, New Bedford, Massachusetts, was thus known as "The City That Lit the World." When John Adams was the ambassador to Great Britain before serving as president he recorded in his diary a conversation about spermaceti he had with the British Prime Minister William Pitt. Adams, keen to promote the New England whaling industry, was trying to convince the British to import spermaceti sold by American whalers, which the British could use to fuel street lamps. The British were not interested. In his diary, Adams wrote that he told Pitt, “the fat of the spermaceti whale gives the clearest and most beautiful flame of any substance that is known in nature, and we are surprised you prefer darkness, and consequent robberies, burglaries, and murders in your streets to receiving as a remittance our spermaceti oil.” Despite the failed sales pitch John Adams made in the late 1700s, the American whaling industry boomed in the early to mid-1800s. And spermaceti was a major component of that success. Spermaceti could be refined into a lubricant that was ideal for precision machinery. The machine tools that made the growth of industry possible in the United States were lubricated, and essentially made possible, by oil derived from spermaceti. Baleen, or "Whalebone" The bones and teeth of various species of whales were used in a number of products, many of them common implements in a 19th century household. Whales are said to have produced “the plastic of the 1800s.” The "bone" of the whale which was most commonly used wasn’t technically a bone, it was baleen, a hard material arrayed in large plates, like gigantic combs, in the mouths of some species of whales. The purpose of the baleen is to act as a sieve, catching tiny organisms in sea water, which the whale consumes as food. As baleen was tough yet flexible, it could be used in a number of practical applications. And it became commonly known as "whalebone." Perhaps the most common use of whalebone was in the manufacture of corsets, which fashionable ladies in the 1800s wore to compress their waistlines. One typical corset advertisement from the 1800s proudly proclaims, “Real Whalebone Only Used.” Whalebone was also used for collar stays, buggy whips, and toys. Its remarkable flexibility even caused it to be used as the springs in early typewriters. The comparison to plastic is apt. Think of common items which today might be made of plastic, and it's likely that similar items in the 1800s would have been made of whalebone. Baleen whales do not have teeth. But the teeth of other whales, such as the sperm whale, would be used as ivory in such products as chess pieces, piano keys, or the handles of walking sticks. Pieces of scrimshaw, or carved whale's teeth, would probably be the best remembered use of whale's teeth. However, the carved teeth were created to pass the time on whaling voyages and were never a mass production item. Their relative rarity, of course, is why genuine pieces of 19th century scrimshaw are considered to be valuable collectibles today. Reference: McNamara, Robert. "Objects Made From the Whaling Industry." ThoughtCo, Jul. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/products-produced-from-whales-1774070. Whale bone was an important commodity, used in corsets, collar stays, buggy whips, and toys.Whale bone vertebrae. Advanced stage of calcification as indicated by deep pitting. Off white to grey.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, whales, whale bone, corsets, toys, whips