Alette is writing to Mrs Hayes to thank her for her letter and Christmas gift.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0891.a1) headed London and dated 12/12/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, Fitzroy Street 14, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. There is no return address. Letter commences "...Dear Mrs Hayes!,..." and is signed "Alette."letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london-uk

Alette is writing to thank Mrs Hayes for a parcel of tinned foods and dried fruit that Allan asked his mother to send. She writes "... we have not not very much fruit in Norway at this time of the year."Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0874.a) headed Oslo and dated 14/06/51. It is from Alette Andersen to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is C/- Fru Strom, Neuberg gt. GB.,Oslo, Norway. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Allan mentions that they are going to the Royal Performance Concert at the Festival Hall and that Alette had seen the Queen opening Parliament Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0889.a1) written in green ink, headed London and dated 17/11/51.. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The postmark is partly obscured but appears to be Paddington W 2. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Aust. House, London. Below this is written Fru. Andersen, Gamlegatan, Brumundoal Street, Norway.Letter commences "My dear Mum,..." and concludes "...from us both, Allan and Alette."letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london-uk

Allan's mother is very happy to hear of Allan and Alette's engagement.Quinn CollectionA two and a half-page letter written on two sheets of pale blue paper (0885.a1-2), headed 14 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda and dated 10/9/51. The stamps have been torn off the matching envelope (0885.b). The postmark is St. Kilda. ''17 Sep.' is stamped upside down in purple on the back on the back.Letter commences "Allan Dear" and concludes "...From Mum and Kip"letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, mrs k hayes, jim hayes, alette andersen

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 writes that he and Alette are unofficially engaged. He is returning to London in two weeks time. He asks his mother to send a food parcel to London and to include butter, eggs and tinned meat. He also asks her to send a parcel of currants and sultanas to the woman Alette lives with as she has been very kind..Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in black ink (0882.a) headed Oslo and dated 27/08/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, The Strand, London Oslo. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

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

This letter concerns the imminent arrival of Allan and Alette in London. Pat gives directions to the bed-sitting-room she shares with her husband in London.Quinn CollectionTwo sheets of thin, unlined off-white paper folded in book form (0886.a1-2). There is writing on both sides of the first sheet (four pages of writing); the second sheet of paper has some writing and a street plan on the first 'page' only. The letter is headed 19 Luxemburg Gardens, Hammersmith W6 and dated 12/09/51. The light brown envelope (0886.b) is addressed Mr Allan Quinn, Passenger on "Patricia", and below, in brackets, Arriving Sat. morning 15/9/51. The back of the envelope is badly torn. It would appear the letter was hand-delivered to the shipping office as there are no stamps or post-mark on the envelope Letter commences "My dear Allan" and concludes "...Until then, Yours, Patletters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen

Allan writes of the severe fog which meant there were no buses of planes for three days. "I only heard or saw two cars over the weekend and each one had a man in front with a torch." When he and Alette attended the Royal Concert they found themselves sitting near Charlie Chaplin, Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivian Leigh. The Queen was there and Sir Malcolm Sargent conducted the orchestra and a choir of 500. Alette is going home to Norway for Christmas. Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0906.a1) headed 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8 and dated 10/12/52. Letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked London. The return address is Allan Quinn, Australia House. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, royal concert, queen elizabeth ii, sir malcolm sargent, sir laurence olivier, vivian leigh, charles chaplin

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

Allan writes about how much he is enjoying Oslo, especially "...the Holmenkoll meeting.." where he and some friends watched the international ski jump championships. He is learning to ski.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0860.a) headed Oslo and dated 07/03/51. Letter is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australialetters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette

Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0861.a) headed Oslo and dated 14/03/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, VictoriaLetter commences "My dear Mum...." and is signed "....Allan"letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette

Letter contains news of Allan's cousin Pat and aunt Vera. He describes a debate at the House of Commons that he attended. He writes "...Churchill came in near the end to vote. He is looking very old." He and Alette saw the musical 'Call me Madam' with Anton Walbrook in the lead..Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0899.a1) dated 29/05/52. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked Kensington and is barely legible. The return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Gloucester Walk, London W8.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, winston churchill, anton walbrook, musical 'call me madam', pat hannon, barry hannon, vera south, guilford

Allan and Alette are going to Oslo for Christmas and may marry there. Allan has attended a number of Promenade Concerts at Albert Hall and enjoyed seeing harmonica player Larry Adler, composers Vaughan Williams and John Ireland and conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent. He has been promoted at work and is now in charge of the Processing Department.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0903.a1) headed 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8 and dated 18/09/52. Letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked Paddington W 2. Return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8. Enclosed is a small off-white piece of paper (0903.b) with writing, in green ink, on both sides.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, vera south, sir malcolm sargent, vaughan williams, john ireland, larry adler, albert hall

Allan writes "...Have landed a terrific job with the Allied High Commission Office for Germany ......in the permit section." He works a 36-hour week, 9 am to 4 pm and prefers this to working in the factory. He is planning to attend a concert by the Australian pianist Eileen Joyce. Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0863.a) headed Oslo and dated 29/03/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- G.P.O., Oslo, Norway. There are some numbers penciled below the return address and some penciled to the right of the return address.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, allied high commission office, oslo, alette andersen, eileen joyce

In this letter Allan refers to Mr Jim Hayes' forth-coming visit to MelbourneQuinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0868.a) headed Oslo and dated 28/04/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Victoria, this has been crossed out and replaced by 'Fitzroy' Street, St Kilda, Victoria. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- G.P.O.,Oslo, Norway. Written at right angles to the return address Allan has written "Made a mess of the address but my thoughts were wondering".letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Allan is still enjoying living and working in Oslo. He saw the film 'Annie Get Your Gun'.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0864.a) headed Oslo and dated 12/04/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P,O. Oslo. Postmark is Oslo. Stamped in black above the address is 'GAVER TIL, RADIUMHOSPITALET, ERSKATTEFRIE'letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0872.a) headed Oslo and dated 23/05/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P.O.,Oslo, Norway. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Allan describes how beautiful Oslo and the surrounding countryside is now it is summer. It doesn't get dark at all "....and you can read a newspaper out in the street at midnight." He mentions that he has received a letter from Norm Fielder.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0873.a) headed Oslo and dated 03/06/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P.O.,Oslo, Norway. There are some letters penciled below the return address.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, norm fielder, alette andersen

Allan's mother comments on the high cost of living in Sydney; lamb chops are six shillings and eight-pence a pound and only four shillings a pound in Melbourne. They have brought six pounds of butter with them as butter is very difficult to buy in Sydney. She and Allan's step-father Kip Hayes are staying with 'Jim' and enjoying catching up with friends and relatives. She has sent Allan a cake for his 23rd birthday which is on the 2 July.Quinn CollectionThree-page letter written on three sheets of lined, cream-coloured paper (0876.a1-3), headed McCleay Regis and dated 29/06/51. (This should probably be Macleay Regis). The matching envelope (0876.b) is addressed to Mr A. Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P.O., Oslo, Norway. It is postmarked Sydney and bears an Australian 1 shilling, 6 pence stamp. On the back are two indistinct postmarks and an unidentifiable square stamp which appears to have been reversed.Letter commences "Allan Dear,"......and concludes "...From your Mum."letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, oslo, alette andersen, sydney, kip hayes

Quinn CollectionA letter written in green ink on a single sheet of very thin paper folded in book form (0877.a) with writing on three 'pages' only. Letter is headed Oslo and dated June 30th. The off-white envelope (0877.b) is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Australia is written twice. On the front of the envelope are four Norwegian stamps; 1 purple, 2 blue-green and 1 small brown one. It is postmarked Oslo. On the back is a return address: Allan Quinn, General Delivery, G.P.O. Oslo. Allan writes that he has enclosed few snaps but none have been found.As the paper is so thin the first and second 'pages' are very hard to read letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, oslo, norway

Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter (0879.a) headed Oslo and dated 15/07/51. The letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K. Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda, Victoria Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- G.P.O. , Oslo, Norway. The Oslo postmark is barely legible.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, oslo, norway, alette andersen

Allan writes of his week's holiday in a log cabin on top of a mountain 120 miles east of Oslo and describes countryside and the beautiful view of the valley below.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter part typed, part written in green ink (0881.a) headed Oslo and dated 30/07/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P.O. Oslo. There are some penciled numbers on the right of and below the return address.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Allan's mother refers to Kip's father's forthcoming visit to Melbourne. This is Jim Hayes of 'The Meadows', Epsom.Quinn CollectionA three-page letter written on two sheets of pale blue paper (0884.a1-2), headed 14 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda and dated 8/8/51. The stamps have been torn off the matching envelope (0884.b). The postmark is St. Kilda. There is a faint Oslo postmark on the back.Letter commences "Allan Dear" and concludes "...From Mum and Kip"letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, mrs k hayes, jim hayes, alette andersen

Allan writes about his photography course and living in London.Quinn CollectionA letter written in green ink on three sheets of very thin paper folded in book form (0887.1a-3). There is writing on six 'pages'. Letter is headed London and dated 23/09/51. The matching envelope (0887.b) is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked London W1 and bears one purple and one brown United Kingdom stamp . The return address, written on the back, is Allan Quinn, 37 Elsam Road, London W14. Envelope is torn down the left hand side.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london-uk

Allan writes of attending the last night of the show 'Carousel' and that 'South Pacific', with Mary Martin in the lead, is playing in London. They also went to Albert Hall to hear Eileen Joyce play. He is enjoying his photography course and looking forward to the food parcel his mother is sending, particularly the eggs as they can only get one a week.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0888.a1) headed 37 Elsham Road, London W 14 and dated 3/11/51. Letter is typed using a very small font. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London W1. In the upper right hand corner is a very faint promotional stamp "Civil Defence". The return address is Allan Quinn, 37 Elsham Road, London W14. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london-uk, 'carousel', 'south pacific', eileen joyce, albert hall, london

Allan has received the three parcels his mother sent; one of eggs, one of butter and one containing a Christmas cake. He writes they can get two eggs a week now.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0890.a1) headed 37 Elsham Road, London W 14 and dated 22/11/51. Part of the address has been torn off. Letter is typed using a very small font. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Above the address and across the right hand corner is a very faint, barely legible promotional stamp . The return address is Allan Quinn, 37 Elsham Road, London W14. Below this, is penciled 45 Frederick St. Ormond.Letter commences "...My dear Mum and Kip,..." and is signed "Allan"letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london-uk

Allan writes of Christmas in London. He spent twelve days prior to Christmas day working in the Post Office delivering parcels in a hired truck with three others. They worked from six in the morning until seven at night every day of the week. From going to the Newsreels he has learnt of bush-fires raging in New South Wales and that Australia has retained the Davis Cup.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0892.a1) headed 37 Elsham Road, London W 14 and dated 2/01/52. Letter is typed using a very small font. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London W1. The return address is Allan Quinn, 37 Elsham Road, London W14.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london-uk, bush fires in new south wales, davis cup 1952

Allan writes of the sinking of the SS Flying Enterprise. Having been damaged in a storm it was towed about 300 miles with only the captain Kurt Carlsen and the Mate from the salvage tug on board. The ship sank when hit by a second storm 40 miles off Falmouth.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0893.a1) headed 37 Elsham Road, London W 14 and dated 25/01/52. Letter is typed using a very small font. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London W1. The return address is Allan Quinn, 37 Elsham Road, London W14. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london-uk, ss flying enterprise, captain (henrik) kurt carlsen

Allan describes London following the death of King George VI. He witnessed the Proclamation of the Queen at the Royal Exchange. He writes "The Proclamation was read in four different parts of the city and about a hundred Lifeguards escorted the Royal carriages through the city." And ....."I also saw the procession from Kings Cross station to Westminister Hall when they brought the King back to London." He would have liked to walk past the coffin lying in state at Westminister Hall but the queue was three miles long and it took seven hours to get into the hall.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0894.a1) headed 37 Elsham Road, London W 14 and dated 14/02/52. Letter is typed using a very small font. The print is faint and difficult to read. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. There is no postmark. The return address is Allan Quinn, 37 Elsham Road, London W14.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, death of king george vi, proclamation of queen elizabeth ii, london 1952