Allan writes of a lonely Christmas without Alette who is spending it in Norway with her family. They are planning to get married in the last week of February.Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0909.a1) headed London and dated 30/12/52. Letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Postmark is illegible. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, Strand, London. There are four lines of writing at right angles to the return address. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952

Allan is very upset as Alette wants to postpone their wedding again. She has taken a job in a shop in Oslo and shows no signs of returning to London despite their plans to marry in February and travel to Australia in July. Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0910.a1) headed London and dated 8/02/52. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London W.1. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Aust. House, London. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952

Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0911.a1) headed London and dated 25/02/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London W.1. The return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Gloucester Walk, London W. 8.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, vera south, graham hannon, victoria league, london 1953

Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0912.a1) headed London and dated 21/03/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London W.1. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, London.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, folies bergere, graham hannon, oxford-cambridge boat race, london 1953

Allan describes his trip to Cowes on the Isle of Wight where he met, and spent time with, the photographer Keith Behan "...who is considered the best yachting photographer in the world......." He also visited Southhampton, Portsmouth. Brighton and East Grinstead before returning to London. He enjoyed being away from London for a few days.Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0913.a1) headed London and dated 11/04/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked Paddington W.2. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, London.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, london 1953, cowes, isle of wight, keith behan, photographer, southhampton, portsmouth, brighton u.k., east grinstead, vera south

Allan writes of seeing the film 'The Cruel Sea' and attending the Anzac Service at St Paul's Cathedral. He is enjoying his new job "....working for a technical and industrial photographer." He plans to sail home to Australia on the 'Orontes' on the 17th July.Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0914.a1) headed London and dated 30/04/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The postmark is very faint. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Aust. House, London.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, london 1953, vera south

Allan writes of London being decorated "...like a fairyland..." for a coronation. He plans to photograph it from a stand in the East Carriage Drive of Hyde Park. He will be in the stand from 6 am until 5.30 pm.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0915.a1) headed London and dated 24/06/53 [sic]. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked Kensington W.8. The date on the postmark is 26/05/53. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, Strand, London.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, london 1953, hyde park, coronation of queen elizabeth

Allan writes of his trip on the Continent and of meeting with Alette in Norway.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0917.a1) headed London and dated 7/07/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London S.W.1. This is a special air letter produced by the Post Office to commemorate the coronation. Printed in red, to the left of the address, it comprises a spray of four flowers representing Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland above the letters ER. Below that is 1953 and the word 'coronation' in white on a red ribbon. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, London. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, vera south

Allan is about to leave London and expects to arrive in Australia in six weeks time. His last visit to Albert Hall was to see the musical 'Hiawatha'.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0918.a1) headed London and dated 15/07/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London S.W.1. This is a special air letter produced by the Post Office to commemorate the coronation. Printed in red, to the left of the address, it comprises a spray of four flowers representing Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland above the letters ER. Below that is 1953 and the word 'coronation' in white on a red ribbon. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, London. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, vera south, albert hall, musical 'hiawatha'

Barry writes inquiring about the possibility of employment in Australia.Quinn CollectionA four page letter written in black ink on two sheets of buff coloured paper (0919.a1-2) headed 64 St George's Square, London, S.W.1 and dated 13/07/55. The Air Mail envelope (0919.b) is addressed to Allen [sic] Quinn Esq., 414 Como Parade, Parkdale, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London S.W.1. The stamps have been torn off partly removing a promotional stamp. The letter commences "Dear Alan [sic],...." and concludes "...Regards Barry."letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, barry warner

Quinn CollectionA black card (0920.a1) on which 'Joyeux Noel' is written in large blue letters. To the right of this is a picture of a young man leaning through an ornate picture frame smoking a cigarette. Above this is written 'Barry'. This part of the card has been folded in. Four centimetres of singed cigarette with 'Happy Xmas Cobber' written on it is stuck onto the card. The back of the card is white. The envelope (0920.b) addressed to A. Quinn Esq., has been re-addressed from 414 Como Parade, Parkdale, to 14 Fitzroy Street, Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The London postmark is dated 17/07/55. The return address, written on the back of the envelope, is B. Warner, 64 St George's Square, London S.W.1 England. The brief letter written on the back of the card commences "Dear Allan" and is signed "Barry". The letter is not dated.allan quinn, barry warner

Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0921.a) headed The Meadows, Epsom and dated 11/08/55 is addressed to Kip Hayes Esq., 14 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The postmark is Epsom, Surrey. Letter commences "Dear Kip.." and is signed "Jim"letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, jim hayes

Quinn CollectionA two-page letter (0924.a) written on one sheet of unlined, pale blue paper headed The Meadows, Epsom, Surrey and dated 22/12/58. The matching envelope (0924.b) is addressed to Mrs Edna Hayes, No. 6 Flat, No.1 Park Street, St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The postmark is very faint and partly obscured by the blue air mail sticker.. There are some numbers penciled on the back of the envelope.Letter commences "Dear Edna.." and is signed "...sincerely James Hayes."letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, jim hayes, kip hayes

Allan writes of his two-weeks in Buenos Aires where he witnessed a "..great parade.." on Independence Day and heard Peron speak in the city. He also attended several orchestral concerts and saw 'Gone with the Wind' for the fourth time. He writes "The papers have been full of the coal strike in Australia down here....".Quinn CollectionSingle-sided letter written on two sheets of unlined blue air-letter paper (0816.a1-2) headed M.S.Fenris, Montevideo, and dated 22.07.49. The blue airmail envelope (0816.b) has a 4cm border of diagonal green and yellow stripes. There are two Uruguayan stamps, one blue, one green. The postmark is indistinct. The letter from Allan to his mother is written in blue ink. letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, m s fenris, independence day, buenos aires, australian coal strike

Letter 0817a; the writer refers to Allan's 21st birthday and his recent letter from Rio. He also writes of prices rising in Australia, the coal strike, and that 'Sydney especially is badly hit'. He also recommends Allan see a film called 'The Secret Land', a record of an American Naval Expedition to the South Pole, if he gets the opportunity. Letter is signed 'Your loving Dad, Stanley Quinn'. Writer of 0817d also refers to Allan's 21st birthday and the coal strike which has affected manufacturing and the availability of materials, especially bricks as all the brickworks are closed down. The letter is signed 'Your Pal Norm'.Quinn CollectionThree-page letter written to Allan (0817.a1-3) from his father, Stanley Quinn, on three sheets of lined cream-coloured paper, headed Liddesdale Avenue, Frankston and dated 25.07.49. The envelope (0817.b) is buff-coloured. Also found in this envelope is a single-sided, two-page letter written on thin off-white lined paper (0817.c1-2) to Allan from his friend Norm headed 1 Selwyn Street, Artarmon, dated 27.07.49. Enclosed with 0817.c are two small black and white photographs (0817.d1-2). 0817.d1 shows a small boy with a model airplane and 0817.d2 the model airplane from a different angle.Letter 0817a is written on the reverse side of three pages of the Melbourne Stevedoring Company's Cargo Tally sheets. The envelope is pre-stamped with an embossed profile of King George V and a crown in white on a red, oval background. Postage is two and a half pence. Envelope is addressed to Allan C/- Swedish Seaman's Union, 156 Montague Street, Brooklyn, New York, USA. The postmark is torn. There is a blue air-mail sticker on the upper left-hand corner. 0817d; On the left wing of the model airplane is printed MAA, on the right wing - 17. There are pencilled marks on the back of each photograph. letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, stanley quinn, coal strike, australia

Allan writes that when the Fenris reaches New York he thinks he will "..sign off". He has been with the ship for ten months and ...'"the South American sun is becoming a little monotonous".Quinn CollectionSelf-folding letter written on both sides (0818). The letter, dated the 26/09/49, is headed M.S. Fenris, At Sea. The letter is post-marked Boston Mass. 21letters-from-abroad, quinn, brazil, 1949

Vera write of her travels through Europe and of her intention to return to Australia via India in October.Quinn CollectionThree and a half page letter written on unlined blue 'airletter' paper (0819.a1-a3). First two pages have writing on one side only, third page has writing on both sides. Pale grey envelope (0396.b). The stamp/stamps have been removed and with them part of the address.Letter headed C/- Australia House, London and dated 30.8.49, commences 'My Dear Allen' and concludes 'love from Vera'. The envelope is post-marked Notting Hill and dated 31 August 1949 W.11.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1948, vera south

Allan and Jens were shipmates on the M.I.Ariston.Quinn CollectionSingle sheet of buff-coloured paper written on both sides, headed Goteborg, dated, 1/09/49 (0820.a). Matching envelope (0820.b) bears three green Swedish stamps. Letter 'Hello Allan' and concludes '.....all the best to you from your old shipmate Jens'. The envelope is post-marked Goteborg 12letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1948, 1949

Allan writes that having reached New York he has 'signed off' the 'Fenris'. "After ten months I'm a civilian again....". He describes the eighteen hour voyage from Boston to New York when they came through the Cape Cod Canal and Long Island Sound in New England past holiday homes, sailboats and launches. He mentions that, in New York, Bing Crosby's latest film is 'Top of the World', Ingrid Bergman is appearing in 'Under Capricorn' and that you can buy a 12" television for the equivalent of fifty pounds, a smaller one for twenty-six pounds. Quinn CollectionSingle-sided letter written on seven sheets of thin, blue unlined paper (0821.a1-0821.a7) dated 3/09/49 and headed New York. No envelope was found. The letter is from Allan to his mother.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, new york

Allan writes of his time in New York and mentions some parcels he has sent to his mother, including one with a photo album of photos taken whilst aboard the 'Fenris'. As shipping is slow in New York he is planning to drive with three others from New York to Los Angeles.Quinn CollectionPale green self-folding letter written with green ink, headed New York and dated 19/09/49.The letter is from Allan to his mother.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, new york

Allan writes of his trip from New York with five others in a 1942 Plymouth. He describes "..magnificent highways..", the very hot weather, and that "New Mexico and Arizona have been the most spectacular states with their deserts and mountains and colours".Quinn CollectionPale green self-folding letter written with green ink (0823), headed Yuma, Arizona and dated 02/10/49.The letter is from Allan to his mother.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, new mexico, arizona

Indicates a friendship at the timeQuinn CollectionTwo page single-sided letter written on buff coloured unlined paper (0824.a1-0824.a2) dated 3/10/49 and headed SS Lake Canim, Gibraltar. Matching coloured envelope (0824.b) has an alternating red and blue diamond-patterned boarder. Letter begins "Hi Allen" and concludes "...your old friend Douglas". The envelope has been re-addressed twice; originally to New York then San Pedre, California and finally to San Francisco. There is one post-mark on the front and two on the back. A return address, D Massey, 2415 Yeur Street, Vancouver BC Canada is written on the back.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, ss lake canim, d massey

Allan writes in detail about his six-day, 3500 mile car trip from New York to Los Angeles. Only one of the five other passengers shared the driving with him. He describes the excellent roads, the beautiful countryside, the towns, and the friendly people. He thought New Mexico the most beautiful state he saw and Tombstone was the most interesting place.Quinn CollectionSingle-sided letter written in green ink on eight sheets of thin, blue unlined paper (0825.a1-0821.a8) dated 7/10/49 and headed Los Angeles. Matching envelope (0825.b) has a border of alternating yellow and green diagonal stripes.The letter is from Allan to his mother. There is no stamp on the envelope and the postmark is indistinct.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, new york, los angeles, road trip

Allan writes that in order to reach Australia he signed on to the Mongabarra at San Pedro but when the ship reached San Francisco he had to sign off and let the seaman, who had been ordered before Allan signed on in San Pedro, take his place. Had he been able to stay with the ship he would have been in Australia by Christmas.Quinn CollectionPale green self-folding letter written with green ink (0826), headed San Francisco and dated 22/10/49.The letter is from Allan to his mother.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, mongabarra

Quinn CollectionSingle page, double sided letter written on unlined off-white paper (0827), headed Liddesdale Avenue, Frankston and dated 27/10/49. Matching envelope (0827.b) has a blue airmail sticker and a nine pence stamp on the front. The other stamp has been torn off. Only half the postmark remains.Letter begins "My dear Allan" and concludes "Your loving Father Stanley Quinn."letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, stanley quinn

Allan writes that, although he is still waiting to sign on to a ship, '....I am at the top of the list now at the union and definitely expect to be away in a day or two.'Quinn CollectionOne and a half page letter written in green ink on two sheets of thin, blue unlined paper (0828.a1-0828.a2) dated 5/11/49 and headed San Francisco. Cream coloured envelope (0828.b) has a border of alternating pale blue and cream diagonal stripes.The letter is from Allan to his mother. There is a 15 cent airmail United States postage stamp on the envelope. The postmark is barely visible.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949

Allan mentions he has met dozens of Australians on the beach in San Francisco.Quinn CollectionPale blue self-folding letter written with dark blue ink (0829.a) headed San Francisco and dated 09/11/49.The letter is from Allan to his mother.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, san francisco

Indicates a friendship at the timeQuinn CollectionOne and a quarter page letter (0830.a1) typed on cream-coloured paper headed 5408 Denker Avenue, Los Angeles, California and dated 13/11/49. Matching envelope (0830.b) has type-written address and is post-marked Los Angeles. The stamp has been torn off. 'Please forward' is written in pencil across the bottom left-hand corner.Letter is from Stanley Carraher and commences 'Hi Allen' and concludes 'Your friend, Stan'. It appears from the context of the letter that Stanley was one of Allen's fellow passengers in the recent car trip from New York to Los Angelesletters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, los angeles, stanley carraher

Allan writes it is three months now that he has been ashore waiting to sign onto another ship and most of his savings have been used up. He has met up with several old friends when their ships have docked in San Francisco. He has spent some time with is friend Norm Cowley, who has married and settled in San Francisco. Quinn CollectionPale green self-folding letter written with green ink (0831.a) headed San Francisco and dated 28/11/49.The letter is from Allan to his mother.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, san francisco, norm cowley

Mrs Quinn writes of receiving a photo album, some books and an ashtray Allan has sent. She tells him how proud she is of her son.Quinn CollectionThree page letter written on two sheets of buff coloured lined paper (0832.a1-0832.a2) headed 5 Pollington Street, St Kilda and dated 31/11/49. Matching envelope (0832.b). Letter commences 'Allan Dear' and concludes '...Fondest love from your Mum...'. The envelope has been re-addressed from C/- Scandinavian Shipping Office, San Francisco to M/S Mongabarra, San Francisco. Post-mark on the front is Melbourne and the Australian stamp is one shilling and sixpence. There is a San Francisco postmark on the back of the envelope and also a promotional stamp 'Save the East. Buy U.S. Bonds in payroll savings.'letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, lilydale high school, lilydale high school alumni