This item has historical value as it shows part of the importance of fashionable money containers specific to a more affluent rural family. The period when sheep properties producing high grade wool were providing Australia with the high yield capital return to sustain an ever growing population. This was an era where most of the manufactured goods were imported from England and the European continent.This has relevant significant value as it portrays the earlier reliance that the growing Australian population had from the rural sector. The wealth capital was from the rural sector and the elaborate fashion accessories, such as this money purse, shows how that wealth was utilised. The Kiewa Valley was part of the "rich" farm regions of Victoria and besides gold mines and tobacco plantations, dairy and cattle properties provided for not only the needs of the Victorian region but also the rest of Australia. This gold plated filigree money purse has a clasp on top for fastening purposes and has on either side inside a small extension frame which would have contained a felt/silk padding buffer. The buffer would have highlighted the intricate pattern of the filigree metalwork.hand purse, money purse, filigree women's accessories

In the words of the Donor, Betty Stone, "The wallet is one of a set of two items. They were designed, hand-sewn sewn and embroidered with raffia by my mother Daisy Elvena (nee Dale) Welsh. Daisy Elvena Dale (born 27 October 1899) daughter of Ellis and Ann (nee Lees) Dale, of Latrigg, Wangoom, Warrnambool, married Raymond Welsh in 1922. A few years later – approximately 1928- Daisy made these two articles, which she used, particularly during the Depression years. The important factor concerning these bags is that they were made with hand-woven cloth cut from a pair of trousers which her grandfather, William Dale brought with him when he left the family farm Back o-'the Low situated in Saddleworth, Yorkshire, England. He arrived in Australia in 1852 and seven years later was operating a quarry on land purchased in Wangoom, Warrnambool known as The Dale Bluestone Quarries. Dale forebears in Yorkshire were first recorded as "clothiers" ( ie weavers of cloth) in the Saddleworth parish records dated 1764; following generations also continued the tradition of producing hand woven cloth as a home industry. The cloth, from which these two bags were made, is evidence of a tradition begun by the Dale family in Saddleworth, Yorkshire more than two hundred and fifty years ago. My mother, Daisy Elvena (nee Dale) Welsh (granddaughter of William Dale) always referred to the cloth, which is at least 160 years old, as a homespun hopsack.The homespun hopsack fabric for the set of bags was part of the clothing brought from England to Australia, an example of emigrant luggage. It also represents a traditional home industry of 'clothiers'. This item is associated with the families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the "Pioneers' Register" for Warrnambool Township and Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch.Embroidered wallet (purse), rectangular, part of a set, the other part being a shopping bag Decorated with embroidered raffia flowers. The bags were made by Daisy Welsh (nee Dale) c. 1928 from homespun "hopsack' fabric of William Dale's trousers, brought to Australia in 1852. Part of the 'Chamberlain Dale Lees Collection' flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, chamberlain, dale, lees, stone, betty stone, warrnambool pioneers, clithier, william dale, daisy welsh, wangoom, hopsack, saddleworth, yorkshire, wallet, purse, hand woven, handmade

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Hand-beaded evening purse, with silver frame and finger ring. While the note accompanying the item states that it was made and used in the 1880s, the label 'Made in France' would indicate that it was probably made in the first decade of the twentieth century.Label: "Made in France / Hand-made". A note which accompanies the item states: "Hand beaded evening purse, 1880s. Frequently used when formal dinner dances were held in the Kew mansions." [Editor - See correct date in Physical description]fashion accessories, clothing accessories, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- purses

Tilly Aston wearing a dark coloured plain dress with lace cuffs and a hat adored with flowers and ribbon on the side. She stands with her arm holding the back of a chair, and in her hand she holds a purse. Around her neck rests a multi-swirled scarf and around her neck lays a necklace with a single bead. Unknown date, however this portrait was taken at the Gainsborough studio, which was also used for another portrait shoot. Various tones and sizes have been made.B/W photograph in various tonesGainsborough ... embossed upon lower left cornertilly aston, gainsborough studio

Pyott's Ltd., was an merchant and novelty shop in Vancouver, Canada during the early-20th century. An advertisement for the shop was published on February 9, 1922 in the Ubyssey News (issued Weekly by the Publications Board of the University of British Columbia. It reads: 'We carry one of the largest lines of Indian Burnt Leather Goods, Moccasins and Baskets in the city; also Beads, Purses and Hand Bags; View Books, Post Cards and Novelties of all kinds. Your inspection invited, 524 Granville St. Vancouver B.C'. History of shopping bags: Before the late 1800s, shopping bags didn’t exist. Shoppers would either carry their goods home in baskets, or have the merchant deliver them to people's homes, until 1852 when Francis Wolle, a schoolteacher in Pennsylvania, invented a machine to produce paper shopping bags. This invention would allow customers to carry items home in disposable paper bags. Soon after, owners of department stores and retailers began to realise that paper shopping bags could be used to help market their brands, and as such custom shopping bags with printed logos became common place. Carrying a shopping bag from certain shops became a type of status symbol for consumers, providing evidence that one was well-off, had good taste, or both. The paper shopping bag is a rare survival of ephemera related to a retail store that existed in Vancouver, Canada during the early-20th century. The arrival of waves of more than ten million migrants by boat is one of the major themes in Australia’s history. The paper shopping bag is representative of personal items purchased for migrant journeys as markers of domesticity, warmth and making oneself at home in a new land that speaks of the transnational lives embedded in threads of migration. A brown paper shopping bag with a printed logo and store information in black inkPyott's, Indian Souvenirs & Novelies. 524 Granville St, Vancouver- B.C. On the reverse side in handwriting: 'Red + dark red beadsshopping bag, marketing, ephemera, pyott's, vancouver, canada, migration, flagstaff hill, merchant

No information is available on this particular bottle. The hand-painted flowers may have been added by the owner after purchase. Painting on glass was very popular in the 1880s and 1890s. Perfume bottles were carried by ladies to use when the odours of the surrounds were objectionable or when they needed to freshen up on a journey. This bottle is of some interest as an example of the items carried by a woman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is useful for displayThis is a small glass perfume bottle with a rounded bottom and a silver-coloured metal stopper. The hinged stopper has a chain attached with a metal ring for attachment to a belt or purse. The top of the stopper has an ornate etching on it. There are hand-painted flowers on the side of the bottle (white, orange, green and blue)perfume bottle, warrnambool, 1880 perfume bottle

This picture shows a group of people outside of a weatherboard house. There are four persons sitting on a metal seat. Two male and two female. Both boys have a boat neck collar on their shirts and button up boots on. One girl has a light coloured dress with a money purse across one shoulder, her hair tied up with a ribbon. The older girl has white uniform on with watch hanging from the bolice, her hair is up. A youth is standing leaning on the house with his thumbs in his vest holding a whip. He has on foot resting on the seat and is wearing short pants and boots. Standing behind the seat is a large framed women wearing a dress with her hair up and a man wearing a suit with facial hair, hands behind his back. To the side another youth with his hands in his pants. Next to him another man with his hands behind his back, dressed in a suit with facial hair. Lace can be seen on the windows.Shows a typical family and housing of the period.Black and white rectangular picture post card.In black ink, stamped on back "Post Card, Correspondence, Address. Written in black ink " Robert Oman, Clifton, Jack, Roy, Jean, Gladys, Evelyn, Father John, Mother. R Oman 5 Locjhart Ter Edwardstown SA". In blue pen "Dos Dunn".

sepia studio study with some hand tinting shows upper body of young female adult. Plaid skirt, leather gloves, purse ? Floral spray, tinted. Pale buttoned blouse, hip length fur. Collared long sleeved jacket, floral decorated stgraw hat atop curled hair. Image is mounted on stiff card with commercial details theron. In gold lettering on lower front, coat of arms, ' Charlemont, Sydney, by appointment to his excellency, Lord Carrington.Charlemont & Co., Grosvenor Studioes, Royal Arcade, Sydneyperson, individual, female portrait

Textiles, pink cotton fabric handkerchief bag. Front has an overlay of cream coloured tapestry fabric embroidered with cross stitch and lines of pattern. One corner is turned down to represent at purse flap to form a 17 cm opening. Bag has a 4 cm frilled lace edge (cream coloured) on three sides plus around the turned down flaps. 2 cm pink ribbon bows on three corners plus on turned down flap. Hand made.textiles, domestic, handkerchief bag

Textiles. Black leather hand bag with very decorative black bakelite clasp with silver twist fastener on front flap. Inside front has zippered section,(broken). Inner section has Art deco clasp with silver fitting on centre purse section. Centre section containing a coin purse on a silver bar. Side sections have side pockets- inside linings and purse of taffeta fabric.Label on inside purse section, ''Guarenteed First Quality A CB Bag''textiles, domestic, black leather hand bag

In the 17th century young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage, this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape and women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, with wrist strap often decorated with pearls, sequins, beads and embroidery. A lady's black velvet, silk lined, evening bag with draw-string and hand made tassels. The bag is decorated with beads in a floral designmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, craft work, dressmaking

This evening bag is an example of the skill and craftwork of the early settler women in the Shire of Moorabbin.A lady's cream silk lined evening bag. 'Dilly Bag' with cream hand-crocheted outer cover with drawstring and 4 crocheted balls at baseclothing, handbags, purses, early settlers, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, dressmaking, craftwork, crochet-work, pioneers, market gardeners, evening wear, formal wear, silk, satin

This evening bag is an example of the skill and craftwork of the early settler women in the Shire of Moorabbin c1900 A lady's blue silk 'dilly bag' with hand embroidered 'A' and with drawstring ties.c1900 The bag contains assorted ribbons c1960'A' embroidered on bagclothing, handbags, purses, early settlers, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, dressmaking, craftwork, crochet-work, pioneers, market gardeners, evening wear, formal wear, silk, satin

This small purse belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855. It has been handed down in the Ellis family until it was donated, together with other personal effects, in 2004 by David and Alice’s granddaughter, daughter of David Ellis Junior. On 6th October 1855 newlyweds David and Alice Ellis set sail for Australia in the brand new Schomberg, considered the most perfect clipper ship. She was built as an emigrant ship in Aberdeen and set sail from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was loaded with 430 passengers plus cargo that included iron rails and equipment intended for building the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. On 27th December 1855, only one day from her Melbourne destination, the Schomberg was grounded on a sand-spit on the Victorian coast near Peterborough. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by a passing small steamer, the SS Queen, which traded between Melbourne and Warrnambool, and taken to Melbourne. The passengers had been told, when leaving the sinking Schomberg, that all they could take with them was a small basket or handbag. A newspaper article later mentioned that one of the things Alice made space for in her basket was her Bible. (It is unclear whether Alice took any possessions with her onto the SS Queen, but a note accompanying the donation of the Bible and basket states that the items were “left on deck and salvaged as Schomberg went down”.) Another steamer was despatched from Melbourne to retrieve the passengers’ luggage from the Schomberg and Alice was reunited with all of her boxes of belongings. Other steamers helped unload the cargo until the change in weather made it too difficult. Although the Schomberg was wrecked there were no lives lost. At that time David was 23 years old (born in Wales, 1832) and his new bride Alice was 26 (born in Dublin, 1829). They had been given letters of introduction to people in Tasmania so they travelled there from Melbourne. However the couple only stayed on that island for about a year before they returned to the Western District of Victoria. David worked for Mr Neil Black as a gardener for a while then, when the land in the area was made available by the Victorian government, David and Alice claimed a selection of land on Noorat Road in the Terang district. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding their property “Allambah” as opportunities arose. A document accompanying the donation lists the names of six children; William, Grace (c. 1859-1946), Thomas (c. 1866 – 1939), David (c. 1962 – 1953), James and Victor. David died on 13th April 1911, aged 79, at their property. Alice passed away the following year, November 1912, aged 83. Alice’s obituary described her as “a very homely, kindly-natured woman, who was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends; and she was also a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church”. At the time of Alice’s death she left behind three sons and one daughter. Her daughter Grace Ellis was also a very active member of the Terang Presbyterian Church and a member of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). She was also involved in the Red Cross and other charities. Grace passed away in 1946, aged 87. David and Alice Ellis were amongst the very earlies pioneers of the Terang district of Western Victoria. Their donated possessions are a sample of the personal effects of emigrants to Australia. The donated items are a sample of the personal goods carried aboard a significant migrant ship in 1855. They are also significant for their association with the Schomberg. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Purse, leather, rectangular shape with metal frame and catch. Purse was amongst the possessions of David and Alice Ellis, passengers on the Schomberg when wrecked in 1855.schomberg, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, warrnambool, shipwreck, purse, leather purse, personal effects, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria

Photographer notations on slide: At the Leather Exhib. at T. Hall Melb 1933 Age Published: Age (Melbourne, Vic.: 1854- ), 1933 THE EXHIBITS. (1933, September 20). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205109730 Published title: THE EXHIBITS. A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE. Curios, Novelties, Working Displays Published Caption: ONE OF THE NOVELTIES – AN OUTSIZE IN SHOES Research by Project Volunteer, Louise McKenzie: Our photo is dated 20 September 1933, and shows a happy, chubby-faced young girl sitting in a very over-sized girl’s shoe. It is labelled – “Shoe, An Out Size, loaned by Messrs Blackman & Rose”. (1) It is an effective way to capture the attention of the readership and alert them to the Melbourne Leather Show 1933. This show was designed to be a drawcard of extraordinary proportion, and there is no doubt that this leather exhibition was a really big deal for Melbourne. It completely took over the Melbourne Town Hall, and was open from 10.30 am until 10.30 pm. It seemed to contain something for everyone – the military, the man about town, the home handyman, the housewife, the child, the sporting types, the domestic workers, the outdoor enthusiasts, the horseracing fans, car enthusiasts, those wishing to show off the latest fashion – both men and women - and those just intrigued by a lot of fascinating and wide ranging exhibits. One of the most comprehensive descriptions of the Exhibition accompanies the photograph, and is worth quoting in full: “PROMINENT among exhibits which first attract attention in the foyer of the Town Hall is a comprehensive display of leather articles used by the defence forces. A conspicuous legend states that leather plays an important part in national defence, being used for saddlery, tool containers, holdalls, range-finding, surveying and signalling equipment, explosives factories, harness accoutrement, bandsmen's equipment and clothing. Three models of horses and several figures of soldiers wearing leather equipment illustrate the lesson, and a great range of leather goods used in military training and work variegate the display. Nearby are Texas cowboy, buckjumping and breaking-in saddles; whips, a walking stick, made of leather and numerous other curios. The general exhibition occupies the whole floor space of the main Town Hall, and is subdivided by partitions running most of the length of the hall. A bewildering variety, of leather goods presses for close and leisured inspection. Here and there operatives in charge of working machinery give practical demonstrations of factory processes in the production of footwear. Polishing materials are well represented. One attractive exhibit includes two bush huts constructed of leather, with wattle bark for roofing. Opossums, rosellas and a kookaburra add touches of bush realism. Adjacent exhibits include bags, fishing boots, leggings, leather covers in all colours. Factory Processes. One exhibitor has installed an automatic cinema apparatus and screen, which projects various factory processes in making a shoe, the operator being shown at work. Elsewhere an interesting exhibit depicts the five stages in the manufacture of sole leather, and the tanning materials employed. "Very handsome effects are achieved in the interior appointments of motor cars, which are attended by figures of smart chauffeurs in leather coats. Motor-trimming leather is said to be more durable and hygienic than fabric materials, and cheaper. The neat finish of the material, its excellent appearance, certainly make a very favourable impression. It takes the hides of three beasts to cover the cushions, squabs and door panels of a full-sized sedan, while to finish the entire interior, including quarter-panels and head linings would take four or even five. Special Exhibits. Amongst the special sections the display arranged by the handicrafts and home industries- committee of the Country Women's Association of Victoria is a notable one. In all there are about 130 entries which are in four classifications, viz., hand-tooled or embossed leathers, suede, hand-made gloves and undecorated leather. The glove section attracted the most numerous entries, a number being the work of members and craft subscribers of the Country Women's Association. In the leathercraft competition, organised by the Country Women's Association, the judges yesterday awarded the first prize for bookbinding (the only prize given in this division) to Miss M. Alston, of South Yarra. There is also a creditable display of exhibits submitted by boys of the orthopaedic section of the Children's Hospital at Frankston. Amongst the novelties on view in other portions of the exhibition were the following: — Leather coats worn by Sir C. Kingsford Smith on his Atlantic flight. Model Wellington boot, Phar Lap's saddle. Melbourne Cup winner's saddle. Longest whip in world, 108 feet long. (33 metres) [See our photo, to left of Girl in Shoe] Diminutive shoes. Pair of shoes 65 years old. Pair of men's working boots 75 years old. Larwood's, Tate’s and Pataudi’s cricket boots. [Three internationally revered cricketers of the day] (2) Picture frame made of leather bought 63 years ago. [See our photo, to right of Girl in Shoe] Leather frame, powder bowl, &c. Saddle used by world's champion buckjumper in U.S.A. Mexican cowboy outfit. Miniature saddle and bridle. A fireman's helmet made of sole leather. (3) Sample of the leather hat worn by porters at the Billingsgate Fish Market, London. (4) From South Australia there have been obtained sets of harness for donkeys, goats and camels, the equipment being displayed to good advantage on stuffed representations of the animals mentioned. Close to the platform is a glass case containing snow shoes and coats which have been used in Antarctic exploration work. Trade Display. Amongst the trade exhibits may be seen in operation a slipper turn shoe sewing machine, with heeling and channelling facilities, and the various stages in the production of ladies' sandals are shown. There is a wide contrast between sole leather of varying degrees of thickness on view in one stall and the choice samples of ladies' footwear in another — footwear, by the way, which could almost be used as ornaments, so dainty in colour and production are they. Again, there are displays of upholstering leathers of such soft texture that they could he readily mistaken for some of the finest cloth. Those who may be particularly interested in the production of chamois leather may gain an insight into the materials and chemicals used in the "working up” of this variety of leather. Supplies of glace kid (5) are tastefully arranged, and there may also be seen bags of all shapes and sizes, including satchels, suit cases and "sporting" cases, and bags for tennis players and golfers. Further variety is given to the exhibition by the display of antique hides, brightly coloured, with punching balls, boxing gloves and batsman's pads. There are crocodile skins and snake skins so cleverly "Worked up" that one could be almost pardoned for betraying an affection for such unpopular creatures.” “ Another wonderful article on this Exhibition, published the same day in one of the opposition daily newspapers, The Argus, is in the weekly article “Women to Women”, entitled “A Great Victorian Industry: Many Uses for Leather”. This weekly column was penned by Vesta, and she writes, with much purpose: “Yesterday afternoon I paid a hurried visit to the Leather Exhibition now being held in the Melbourne Town Hall and I was disappointed to find that the early visitors to the main exhibition were almost all men. Women, I think, should make a point of seeing every exhibition of our great industries, for women are the buyers of household requisites and goods for their own use and their tastes, and opinion influence also, to a large extent, the purchases of men. So, the welfare of industries is more or less in their hands and it becomes a duty for them to inform themselves fully of the extent and the quality of the manufacturing that is done here. The value of the output of the Australian boot and shoe factories alone was in 1930-31, the latest year for which the figures are given, Stg 3,750,000. Fully two thirds of that amount must have been spent by women on boots and shoes for themselves and their children. In a host of other directions, in the purchase of handbags, travelling bags, belts and straps, cushions, furniture coverings, purses, notebooks, spectacle cases, their annual expenditure must be very high. Their interest, therefore, in this industry is practical, and their support of it should be governed by knowledge of comparable values and qualities of the goods they buy. From the point of view of women, however, the exhibition itself is rather disappointing. There is an amazing collection of good stuff on show, but most of it is not displayed in a fashion that attracts attention. I was surprised, for example, at the range and quality of the leathers displayed, the suppleness of the finer qualities, and the varied range of colours and designs. But they are shown in such a fashion that if one set out deliberately to look for them it would be quite easy to miss most of them.” …It was surprising, too, that no one seemed to have taken advantage of the present fashion of wearing coloured gloves, or the cult of glove making, which the Country Women’s Association has fostered so successfully. Outside the collection of chamois leathers I saw no skins which were suitable to glove making. (6) However, it is perhaps a little unfair to be highly critical of the exhibition, inasmuch as it is the first of its kind. The material is there, undoubtedly, for a splendid show of every phase of this enterprising industry, and I am confident that experience will prove to those concerned that it will be worth while next time to devote a great deal of attention of the method of display.” With further research, it transpires that “Vera” is in fact NZ born Stella May Allen (nee Henderson) (1871-1962), a journalist, the first woman in NZ to begin a law course, in 1890-91). She later worked at a law firm while she completed her degree. Study of the law had always been open to women in NZ, but its practice was still barred to them. Her case “…led to amending legislation in 1896 allowing women to practise as barristers or solicitors. However, on gaining her LL.B. in November 1897 she did not apply for admission to the Bar. Instead, she became the Wellington-based correspondent and leader-writer for the Lyttelton Times. Her appointment, the first for a woman, was not welcomed by the all-male Press Gallery, and special permission had to be obtained from a subcommittee of the House before her presence was accepted. In 1900 she married Edwin Allen, a senior leader-writer for the Wellington Evening Post, and they moved to Australia in 1903 when Edwin Allen took up the post of foreign affairs leader-writer and parliamentary man for the Melbourne Argus. As Patricia Keep notes in her excellent entry of Stella Allan in the Australian Dictionary of Biography: “In 1907 The Argus commissioned her to write a series of articles on the first Australian Women's Work Exhibition held in October. They aroused much interest and next year The Argus invited her to join its full-time staff and begin a weekly section on the particular interests of women. She adopted the nom de plume 'Vesta' and called the column 'Women to Women'. Her work was unique in an Australian daily paper at that time. Her pages extended to cover every aspect of women's affairs, children's interests and community welfare, and 'Vesta' became a household word for authoritative information and advice on such matters. An excellent needlewoman and first-rate cook herself, she thoroughly tutored her staff in the work and needs of women in both country and city, as well as providing the usual training for cadet journalists. She conducted interviews and also visited the country to see at first hand the results of bushfires, mouse plagues, droughts and floods. In 1910 she was one of three women foundation members of the Australian Journalists' Association. “…she found time to become deeply involved in community affairs. She was an original committee-member of the Victorian Association of Crèches and of the Free Kindergarten Union of Victoria, and had much to do with the early days of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association, the Baby Health Centres Association and the Queen Victoria Hospital. She was a member of the National Council of Women, first in New Zealand and then in Melbourne, and of the Country Women's Association from its inception. … in 1924 she was appointed substitute delegate for Australia to the fifth assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva and was a delegate to the second Pan Pacific Women's Conference in Hawaii in 1930. A meeting held in the Melbourne Town Hall in 1938 by representatives of all the main Victorian women's organizations paid special tribute to her work and influence. She retired next year to England where she continued to write for the Argus, contributing articles on the experiences of women and children in wartime.” It is little wonder that “Vesta” was unafraid to take to task both the women of Victoria, and those who created the exhibition! One item which appears to have gone unnoticed, or at least unreported, is a framed article in the background of the photo of the chubby girl in the shoe. The display frame is labelled “Leather from the Human Skin, Tanned and Dressed by French artists.” The exhibition was certainly a cabinet of curiosities! A charming article in The Argus is a nice note on which to end. It gives a quick history and overview of the Australian leather industry and its unprecedented, and possibly unexpected, development and success, and states with pride: “Though Victoria is the largest leather producer in the Commonwealth all tanners in the Commonwealth can look back with pride on the long march of progress.” Footnotes: (1) “Blackman and Rose”. Messrs Blackman and Rose were shoe manufacturers, from 1927 located at 200 Noone Street, Clifton Hill. The Melbourne Circle describes their building as a “fine-looking building in the Federation ‘blood and bandage’ style.” It was built around 1912 for Puttifoot and Bloom, boot manufacturers, and today the building is apartments. (2) These cricketers were household names in the day: Tate: Maurice Tate, “English cricketer of the 1920s and 1930s, and leader of England’s Test bowling attack for a long time during this period. The founder of modern seam bowling. “ Larwood: Harold Larwood, “English right-arm fast bowler and the main exponent of the bowling style known as “bodyline”. Used to considerable effect in the 1932-33 Test series in Australia. Pataudi: Iftikhar A K Pataudi, “an Indian prince who in the 1930s played Test cricket for England, and in the 1940s played Test cricket for India (as Captain) – the only test cricketer to have played for both India and England. (3) “sole” leather “… is the thickest and most resistant material existing in the tanning industry … made from vegetable tanned leathers, usually bovine butts, processed in a special way to make them the hardest type of leather in existence.” (4) The hats worn by porters at Billingsgate Fish Market were also known as a “Bobbin” and look quite squat and rather unsophisticated. They were made of wood and tarred leather, with a “flat, hardened top designed to support large rectangular boxes of fish. The upturned brim protected the porter’s head against fish juice draining from the boxes of fish which would be carried on top of the hat. Some hats featured a small drain hole at the rear to allow this collected juice to drain down the back of the carrier. The hats were made using the ‘cuir bouilli’ technique. The leather was immersed in water which was heated until the leather began to shrink. It was then removed and put on a wooden former. The leather was stitched together to make the hat while still wet, and then held in place until dry.” (See article and photo on the London Museum website) (5) Glace kid – described on the Boston Museum of Fine Arts’ Cameo database as “A smooth glossy leather originally prepared from goat or sheepskin. Early glace kid had a shiny surface that was originally prepared by tawing the skin in a mixture of alum, table salt, flour, and egg yolk. Today, glace kid is prepared from many types of vegetable or chrome tanned leathers. The smooth polished surface is obtained mechanically by shaving, glazing, ironing, and/or rolling the dry leather.” (6) In the 1930s, Melbourne’s glovemaking industry was characterised by local manufacturing, with key producers like Simpson’s Gloves Pty Ltd in Richmond and the Stagg Glove Company in Clifton Hill leading the market. These factories produced high-quality leather gloves, handbags, and specialty gear, often employing a clear gendered division of labour and training young, local women. Museum Victoria holds the Simpson’s Gloves Collection, comprising over 1200 items, and the University of Melbourne Archives holds the company’s business records. References: THE EXHIBITS. (1933, September 20). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205109730 EXPORT LEATHER. (1929, September 17). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 17. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4037647 LEATHER EXHIBITION (1933, September 18). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 10. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11693362 (1933, September 23). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 21. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page522766 WOMEN TO WOMEN (1933, September 20). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 13. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11694034 Australian Dictionary of Biography, Stella May Allan (1871–1962) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/allan-stella-may-4998 WOMEN TO WOMEN (1930, January 22). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 13. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4063888 Museums Victoria, Simpson’s Gloves, 486-496 Victoria Street, North Richmond, VIC, Australia https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/articles/2702 The Argus. (1927, October 31). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 20. Retrieved February 7, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3888451 Melbourne Circle: stories from the suburbs: “Boots and all in Clifton Hill” https://melbournecircle.net/2015/11/20/bootmakers-of-clifton-hill/ Wikipedia, Maurice Tate, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Tate Wikipedia, Harold Larwood, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Larwood Wikipedia, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iftikhar_Ali_Khan_Pataudi Buy Leather Online Italy, Sole leather: https://buyleatheronline.com/en/blog/outsole-and-insole-leather-n7 London Museum, Porters hats, https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/v/object-731122/hat-porters-hat/ Cameo Database, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Glace Kid, https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Glac%C3%A9_kid VICTORIAN LEATHER HAS WON RENOWN (1937, September 22). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 31 (March of Progress Supplement). Retrieved February 7, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1108704 Photographer notations on slide: "At the Leather Exhib. at T. Hall Melb 1933 Age B5".displays, melbourne town hall, leather, children, shoes, 1930-1939, industry, hats, gloves

Weaving is a craft activity that has been a part of many day centres. In this image, a blind woman sit in front of a loom, holding the threads, her lips slightly pursed, as if in conversation. Another woman stands beside her and looks down at the work, her hand holding the weaving slightly forward as she looks at the stitches.royal victorian institute for the blind, day centres

Silver metalwork chain purses were made in tiny coils and formed into patterns in the early nineteenth century. This example is made of fine silver mesh.This item formed part of a large collection of items collected by Dorothy Rogers, a notable local historian and founding member of the Kew Historical Society.Hand-linked silver rings, with silver frame and clasp.purses, bags - handbags, fashion accessories, clothing accessories

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, inherited, owned, used and or donated by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Hand-made crocheted or lace reticule with a long cord and a flap opening. The bag is lined with cream voile. It relies on different kinds of stitching for its decorative effects as well as rosettes and round pom-poms.fashion accessories, clothing accessories, women's clothing -- accessories, bags -- handbags, bags -- reticules, bags -- purses

Elizabeth Ann Grant nee Parkinson died 1921 aged 77 years in Melbourne. Buried Stawell Cemetery with her husband Edmond Craigie Grant. Photo taken c 1885 - 1890. see more information 119.4.Photograph of Elizabeth Ann Grant nee Parkinson in a long outfit holding a decorative purse in her left hand.stawell portrait

This purse is an example of what is often described as the 1930s anachronistic meeting of industrial Art Deco and the arts and crafts movement, hand crocheted silk meeting geometric frames made of the 'modern' xylonite, an early version of bakelite. The Australian Arts and Crafts movement was at this time very focused on creating a notably 'Australian' design, utilising brown earthy tones and 'natural' shapes, such as this purse's spiral drawing on straw and taffeta purses of previous decades.Circular mount purse with xylonite chain interwoven with brown crocheted chain. Outside brown hand crocheted criss-cross stitch with scalloped edge. Xylonite mount with fleur-de-li patterning, edged with gold and black bead seed bead clusters. Opens with a push latch. Lined with a pink silk jacquard, opening embroidered with pink and green flowers. handicrafts, crochet, bags, handbags, purses, crocheting, wool, silk, cotton, 1930s, 30s, art deco, xylonite

This handbag is a prime example of the popular style of the 1930s. The flamboyance of the art deco period is clearly seen in its geometrical beading. The internal pocket and coin purse however demonstrate that despite its extravagant decorations this bag was made with practicality in mind. 1930's Black moire silk hand beaded evening bag with a click closure .Red/orange silk lining 1 internal pocket and a kiss clasp coin purse with leather lining.bag, 1930s, beading, art deco, beads, purse, 30s, nineteen thirties

Metal mesh purse, with a hand-sewn cream silk lining, and a small chain handle. Decorative floral markings on metal top and clasp, with 5 tiny metal beads on bottom of mesh."E.V.C.O. Dec. 1916 (Eileen Otter)"purses, money accessories

Pat Ryan, born 1919, was a daughter of Jim Ryan, hairdresser and tobacconist. She moved to Linton as a child in 1926 when her father bought the former Bennett/Todd shop in 1926. Katherine Veronica Cunningham was born at Cape Clear in 1907. Pat Ryan and Kath Cunningham were members of the Linton Amateur Dramatic Society in the 1930s and 1940s. (See programmes in LDHS for Amateur Dramatic Society productions.) Kath Cunningham worked at the Railway Hotel. She was on the committee which organised Linton's centenary celebrations in 1939.Enlarged black and white copy of original photograph, which shows two young women dressed stylishly, wearing hats and dress shoes. The woman on the left has a purse or small clutch bag in her hand, and the woman on the right has a handbag tucked under her arm. The photograph was taken in an outdoor setting, possibly near Linton Reservoir. See also Registration no. 2019-276 - group photo which includes Pat Ryan and Kath Cunningham, and was probably taken on the same day.pat (patricia) ryan, kath (kathleen) cunningham