Cardboard cover for a box - jigsaw puzzle See photofamily, children, leisure, jigsaw puzzle

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. The decoration on this garment was embroidered by hand by a skilled worker at the Kathryn Knitwear factory. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Wool has been renowned for its excellent properties for thousands of years, by people from all over the world. Not only good for thick winter woollens, it can help keep you cool in summer, as well as being durable and resistant to water, fire, ultraviolet light, stains and odour. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Brown children’s cardigan with embroidery of four baby chicks in yellow and red on green grass at bottom of front panels. Closes at centre front with three brown plastic buttons[Label at back neck with blue lettering woven into label] KATHRYN REGD / 20 ALL WOOL CREATED BY ROBERT BLAKEchildren's knitwear, children's clothing, clothing, knitwear, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting, embroidery, embroiderer, chickens, chicks, baby animals, cute animals

l.l., red oil, "1C. (letters chipped) Morris./60".painting, sheep, lambs, family, animals, baby, parents

Small booklet: Some Australian Animals. On the front cover a Koala with baby on the back. Published in April 1959 by the Bank of New South Wales. It has 17 pages. Contents: Foreword - Banded Ant Eater - Spiny Ant Eater - Bandicoots - Bats - Bilbies - Marsupial Cats -Cuscus - Dingo - Flying Foxes - Flying Squirrels - Gliders - Koala (inside front cover0 - Kangaroos - Mice - Marsupial Mice - Marsupial Mole - Numbat - Pademelons - Platypus - Possums - Rats - Tasmanian Devil - Tasmanian Tiger - Tiger cat - Thylacine - Wallabies - Wallaroos - Warrigal - Wombats.books, natural history, native animals

Laminated colour photographic image of Blue Macaw parrot laminatedsignature lower right 'David Higgins '85'bird photography, encapsulated photograph, colour photograph, david higgins, gorilla, mzuri, fauna, animal

This photograph shows a baby with a black sheep in the Melbourne Royal Show Animal Nursery. The Animal Nursery, first set up in 1964, has been a place where Show-goers can get up close experiences with a variety of farm animals.Colour photograph, portrait, printed on glossy paper.children, kids at show, sheep, animal nursery

Mary and Joseph are wooden artist models, dressed in cream linen pulled/drawn thread robes. Mary has a blue linen head shawl. Baby Jesus lies in a wooden box, swathed in embroidered linen. There is also an embroidered lamb. Joseph has linen headpiece. Mary has silk petticoat. Mary 30 cms Joseph 32 cms Baby Jesus 12.5 cms (box) Lamb 10cmsembroidery, pulled thread, drawn thread, nativity set, animals

Portrait layout cradle roll certificate bearing an image of a girl in a pink dress holding a baby with two lambs, small animals and flowers. "CRADLE ROLL FEED MY LAMBS" "born ... has been enrolled at ..."cradle roll

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Boxed children's construction toy, suitable for children 2-2.5 yearstoys, games and puzzles, hilary page, kiddicraft

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Four miniature paper fish that have multicoloured stripes. Each fish has a piece of metal in its mouth. The other part of the game is two tiny wooden fishing rods with cotton attached to metal rods. The aim of the game is to attach a rod to a fish. The six items are stored in an orange and green patterned cardboard box that is probably not original.games, magnetic toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Zinga Zoo - small plastic musical toy in a cardboard box.Exterior of box - "Zinga Zoo Regd. The Packet Band. An R.M. Precision moulded product by Rose Morris & Co.Ltd. London England" Plastic toy - "Zinga Zoo Regd. The "Pocket Band" RM&Co L79 London"zinga zoo, rose morris & co., musical toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Box of two dimensional animals cut from wood including deer, camels, horses etc. The box includes one intact paper hand coloured template of a horse and duck. On this item there is the number LXXVIII. All of the items are housed in a cardboard box produced by Walker Stores Pty Ltd, 471-5 Sydney Road Coburg. The box also states that there was a retail outlet at Glenferrie Station. Inscribed on the box is the name Mr Edward Smith, 16 Macartney Avenue, Kew. The box is not related to the contents apart from probably being used for long term storage.puzzles, toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Handheld pinball game. The game requires the player to roll a ball-bearing to the front of the container and score a 1, a 5 or a 10. The self-contained container has the name of the game on coloured paper inside the toy. Name: "Skee Skor"skee skor, louis marx & co (usa), musical toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Two magnetised miniature dogs in an original cardboard box labelled 'The Magic Dogs'.The Magic Dogs. A Milton Product. Made in Australia.magic dogs, games and puzzles

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. "Victory" Jig-Saw Puzzle of the Royal Family, circa 1936, in its original packaging. The jig-saw features King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth. The puzzle is based on an original portrait by Marcus Adams.royal family, jig-saw puzzle, hayter & co

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Small box of 12 metal puzzles with rules on a separate sheet of paperChad valley Series / British Made / Per Box / Metal Puzzles / Instructive and amusing full directions in each boxmetal puzzles, chad valley series

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Carnation of Cumberland Ltd (UK) produced toys and sporting goods including toys, games, playthings, toy wheelbarrows, rocking horses, play apparatus, etc. The company was liquidated in 1991Box of coloured carnation chalks. Complete contents although some chalks are broken."Carnation CHALKS / SIX of the BEST!"carnation chalks, drawing materials -- chalk, carnation toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. IMP is a fifteen puzzle. The metal base and the numbers are housed in a red leather purse with press-stud. The wallet contains a booklet of promotional material and 'problems'. Puzzle consisting of 15 squares, numbered 1 through 15, which can be slid horizontally or vertically within a four-by-four grid that has one empty space among its 16 locations. The object of the puzzle is to arrange the squares in numerical sequence using only the extra space in the grid to slide the numbered titles.Exterior: "IMP / known the world over as Diablotin"diablotin, games and puzzles, imp

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Yellow painted wooden game with a beehive lid on a pedestal base. There is a red ball underneath the cap.cup-and-ball game, games and puzzles

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Single large black and white dice in an unlidded red leather box.games, dice, games of chance, toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc.Palitoy was a British toy company. It manufactured some of the most popular toys in Britain, some original items and others under licence.Magnetised toy cats in small cardboard boxBox: "Two Magnetic Perky Pussies"toys, games and puzzles, perky pussies, magnetic toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Two multicoloured plastic dice in a pink and white cardboard box/container.games and puzzles, dice, games of chance, toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Red Plastic Magic Ball with a hole on one side to conceal the hidden piece of blue fabric.magic ball, illusional tricks

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Junior [miniature] Playing Cards. Regd. Brand name: Fairylite. Made in Hong Kong. Empire Made. playing cards, games and puzzles, fairylite

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Junior Playing Cards in a ble and white fitted cardboard box. Otherwise unlabelled.playing cards, junior playing cards

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Cricket puzzle. Made of wood. Nine individual tiles stamped in coloured ink with terms such as Batsman, Stumps, Bowler, Fieldsman, Ball.cricket puzzle, games and puzzles

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Casing "Cliente Poker Rummy. Patent Pending © 1935. A Riot of Fun. 1/-. A card game for young and old. Four to Ten can play." Manufactured by John Sands Pty Ltd., Sydney. The reverse of the cover contains the rules of the card game.john sands pty ltd, card games, games and puzzles

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Small toy adding machine. Tin with brown and white enamel painted. A small, damaged label on the front states that it was made by Toys & *** Games Australia / TAGMAtoys, toy machine, child's adding machine toy, tagma australia

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objets. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Toy wheel barrow. Metal and plastic, painted blue with red handles.toys, toy wheelbarrows, mobile toys