Collector says: "Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display.""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."Checked blanket, pink, blue and creamPhysician/Standard Chillproof/Pure Wool Blanket/Mothproofed/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, physician, collins bros, geelong

Collector says: "I would stack plain blankets of the same base colour and arrange them by shade to make up a colour palette. It showed how particular colours were in fashion in the early decades, based mostly around depths of pastel pinks, mints, lemons and baby blues with brighter colours arriving in the 1960s then the browns and oranges in heavier tones in the 1970s.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."Queen sized blanket, soft pastel pinkWarranted 100% Pure Wool/The Famous "Doctor" Regd/Blanket Made in Tasmania/in Emblem "K&K" (first K mirror image)/Regdwool, blanket, blanket fever, the famous doctor, kelsall and kemp, tasmania

Collector says: "Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display."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."Queen sized checked blanket in apple, pink and lemonIn emblem: V/Viscount/Super Quality All Wool/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, viscount

Collector says: Cream and blue panel blankets were the first style of domestic blankets I started collecting and both of these ones were found in Geelong op shops. Pairs of blankets were regularly advertised as ideal wedding gifts and 'The Bride' label is one of my favourite labels of all time. This is the only one I've ever seen but hopefully there are lots more out there being handed down the generations.Note from collector- "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 blue stripesWarrnambool/The Bride/All Wool ---Deluxe/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, warrnambool, bride

Collector says: Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display.Note from collector- "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." Queen sized checked blanket, pink, grey and lemonThe Celebrated Waverley Blanket/100% Pure Wool/"The Best for Rest"/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, waverley

Note from collector- "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." Salesman's Wool sample card containing samples of wool at different stages of processingJohn Taylor/With Compliments from Onkaparinga/Woollen Co.Ltd/Adelaide, Sth Aust. Mills Lobethal and Thebarton, S.A/Always insist on Onkaparinga Rugs.Blankets.Worsteds.Melanges.Woollens and Flannelswool, blanket fever, advertisement, onkaparinga, sample

Note from collector- "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."Playing cards featuring Onkaparinga sales mottos and picturesOnkaparinga Pure Wool Blankets/Australia’s Best/Rugs, Blankets, Piece Goods, Men’s and Boy’s Clothing/Made from Pure Wool In White Pink Blue Green And Primrose/The Home Of The Famous Onkaparinga Pure Wool Products/White And Coloured Blankets Give Individuality And Charm/Made In Australiablanket fever, wool, playing cards, advertisements, onkaparinga

Child's coverlet made from old blankets and clothing pieces with curtain and blanket backing. Part of the "Wagga" collection. Maker unknown, from the Ballarat area.Child's coverlet made from old blankets and clothing pieces with curtain and blanket backing.quilting history, patchwork history, running stitch group, running stitch collection, quilting - history, patchwork - history

The knitter was Vera Neale,1901 - 1990. Married with three children, Vera knitted with one and two ply wool, often using piano wire or bicycle spokes as needles, entering the garments in agricultural shows. This is one of 23 garments donated by her granddaugher, Mrs Glenda Ilsley.Pale pink bed jacket, long sleeved, hand knitted. Vertical pattern on sleeves and most of body. Round collar with tie.knitting handicrafts, neale, mrs vera, knitting, handicrafts, bed jacket, clothing, children

This A.P.C. Bottle belonged to Dianne Browne's mother. Dianne was school secretary at Ringwood Heights 1970's - 1990'sClear small glass bottle with label (white with blue surround and blue instructions). Screw top. No lid.|Mitcham Pharmacy|K&D Wellington|Dispensing Chemists|704 Whitehorse Road|Mitcham69 (on base)medicine, first aid

'The Mixture'. Belonged to Dianne Browne's mother. Dianne was school Secretary at Ringwood Heights 1970s - 1990s.Clear glass bottle with screw top (no top) with directions for use of 'Mixture'.|Label - Mitcham Pharmacy R&D Wellington 704 Whitehorse Road Mitcham15M - 17 (on base)medicine, bottle

Embroidered by donor - from Weldon's pattern.Cream linen square tablecloth. Cream and brown cotton one inch. Decorative 2cm Drawn threadwork around edge.domestic items, table setting

Plastic 1950s utensilKnife Sharpener. Square green plastic base; cream plastic pyramid shaped body. Green dial on front for setting the utensil for sharpening.DIAL X SHARPENER. SHARPENS EVERYTHING.domestic items, appliances, utensils

Belonged to Elsa Ardern, mother of donor, well known potter who stared the Potter's Cottage Warrandyte. Elsa also taught pottery at the Arts Association.A metal (silver coloured) coffee percolator with glass removable dome in hinged lid. Black plastic handle. Metal plunger and 'beans' colander inside. BIRKO signature on black plastic base and a metal tag:|VOLTS/BIRKO/WATTS|240//400|CAT NO X5/|MADE BY BIRKO ELECTRIC PTY LTD|Submitted to electrical approvals board|Reference No. VC\0\X5See above descriptiondomestic items, cooking, food & drink consumption

Thermometer from Betty Geddes née Harrison of Carlton. Betty Harrison was married to Don Harrison who lived in Blackburn. After marriage they lived in Williams Road, Blackburn. Betty's brother owned the pharmacy in Carlton.Medical (Mercury) Thermometer in silver case.Geddes Pharmacy Carlton 1/2 Minute GHZEAL English Made Guaranteed|Q810 95 100 5 110medicine, nursing

Child's cream synthetic fur fabric dog. Made in 1940/50s.toys, soft toys

McNaught family of Blackburn and an American visitor.williams, jessie, mcnaught, margaret, jennifer, blackburn presbyterian church

Made by donor for her children during 1950's.Cream viyella dress with smocked bodice and sleeves, with pink and blue rosebuds. Neck has white lace trim and press stud at opening at backcostume, infants'

A square of plastic 'lace' decorated with yellow ric-rac with a metal ring on three corners and a self fabric loop on the fourth. Made to carry food.domestic items, food storage & preservation

A green cube shaped biscuit tin. Folded steel/galvanised tin. Impressed with inscription on base.Marked This tin is NOT sold with the contents thereof but remails the property of SWALOW & ARIELL LTD. Port Melbournedomestic items, containers

Donanted by Robert Petty Family of Petty's Orchard in Doncaster/Templestowe area. The scales were owned by Gertrude Petty (nee Pye)Kitchen scales - imperial measurement, balance scale , 25lb capacity. Enamel Painted, chrome with chrome tray. Krups brand. Made in Germany.Krups Perla, made in Germanydomestic items, weighing

Donated by Margaret ScarlettSee Supplementary fileCelluloid doll - sleeping doll. Moulded in two sections. Jointed at head, arms and legs. Blue eyes, painted lips and cheeks. Dressed in maroon knitted dress with cream waist cord with 1 pom pom. Cream knitted hat and cream panties.|On Back of doll an inscription reads' Bonnie Baby' in script and 'M' logo of Moldex LtdBonnie Baby 'M'toys, dolls

Black and white early photo of Schwerkolt while it was still inhabited, showing timber extension and garage - no longer in existence.schwerkolt cottage

Black and white early photo of Schwerkolt Cottage showing Lean To and Garage at one end. Cottage inhabited at time of photo.schwerkolt cottage

Early photo of Schwerkolt Cottage showing Timber Extension and Garage, since demolished. Cottage still inhabited at time of photo.schwerkolt cottage