Madagascar was a large British merchant ship built for the trade to India and China in 1837 that disappeared on a voyage from Melbourne to London in 1853. The disappearance of Madagascar was one of the great maritime mysteries of the 19th century and has probably been the subject of more speculation than any other 19th-century maritime puzzle, except for the Mary Celeste. Madagascar, the second Blackwall Frigate, was built for George and Henry Green at the Blackwall Yard, London, a shipyard that they co-owned with the Wigram family. A one-eighth share in the vessel was held throughout her 16-year career by her first master Captain William Harrison Walker Walker. Madagascar carried freight, passengers, and troops between England and India until the end of 1852. In addition to her normal crew, she also carried many boys being trained as officers for the merchant marine. Known as midshipmen from naval practice, their parents or guardians paid for their training, and they only received a nominal wage of usually a shilling a month. Due to the Victorian Gold Rush, Madagascar, under the command of Captain Fortescue William Harris, was sent to Melbourne with emigrants. She left Plymouth on 11 March 1853 and, after an uneventful passage of 87 days, reached Melbourne on 10 June. Fourteen of her 60 crew jumped ship for the diggings, and it is believed only about three replacements were signed on. She then loaded a cargo that included wool, rice, and about two tonnes of gold valued at £240,000, and took on board about 110 passengers for London. On Wednesday 10 August, just as she was preparing to sail, police went on board and arrested a bushranger John Francis, who was later found to have been one of those responsible for robbing on 20th July the Melbourne Private Escort between the McIvor goldfield at Heathcote, Victoria and Kyneton. On the following day, the police arrested two others, one on board the ship and the other as he was preparing to board. As a result of these arrests, Madagascar did not leave Melbourne until Friday 12 August 1853. After she left Port Phillip Heads Madagascar was never seen again. When the ship became overdue many theories were floated, including spontaneous combustion of the wool cargo, hitting an iceberg and, most controversially, being seized by criminal elements of the passengers and/or crew and scuttled, with the gold being stolen and the remaining passengers and crew murdered. There have been many rumors as to what happened to Madagascar over the years but what really happened is still a mystery. The lithograph was made around 1950 from an original painting of Madagascar a Vessel with a notorious past and is interesting and a significant item for the ships part in early Victorian history. The picture is it’s self not valuable or can be associated with a significant person in history. The interest lies in the events that are linked to the ship in the mid 19th century.Lithograph of the ship Madagascar, in a wooden frameThe Madagascar East Indiaman 1000 tonsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lithograph, the madagascar, east indiaman

Vintage raffia sewing baskets were popular particularly from the early-to-mid 20th century. Made from the durable, flexible fibers of the raffia palm—primarily sourced from Madagascar—these baskets became a staple for storing sewing essentials like thread, needles, and thimbles. A large lidded firm natural, sand coloured raffia woven basket with two bound plastic woven cane type hinged handles on the lid attached by two pieces of plastic for portability. It has a cane frame to support the raffia. There is no closing attachment at the front. Inside there is a lift-out cane basket with no lid. It contains 12 coloured plastic knitting needles with knobs on the one end and six coloured plastic knitting needles with no ends.containers, knitting, sewing, baskets

This bag was used in the 1970s by Mrs Annette Lord, and was part of a large collection she donated when helping found Mont de Lancey Historic Homestead. Annette and Neville travelled extensively throughout the 50s-70s during which Annette acquired a large amount of her collection. While partly for pleasure, Netta and Neville also travelled to strengthen diplomatic relationships in the British Crown, notably developing a unique relationship with Madagascan royalty and being one of the few families invited to Queen Elizabeth’s 1963 state reception. Much of Netta and Neville’s 1960s collection originated in Hong Kong, including this bag, a trend which can be attributed to both Netta and Neville’s extensive travel in Asia and Hong Kong’s 1960s industrial boom. The starburst design echoes that of Japanese beaded purses that came into vogue between the 1920s and 1960s as part of a fascination with the ‘oriental.’ Annette Lord’s collection is exemplary of this fascination, with this purse being one of many Japanese inspired items in her possession.C.1960s white and gold beaded evening bag with a starburst design. Gold frame with kiss clasp closure,diamantes on each clasp closure. Gold chain handle White lining with 1 small pocket handbag, beading, handbeading, purse, bag, bags, purses, handbags, beads, sead beads, orientalism, japan, japanese, sixties, 1960s, hong kong

Amazonite is classed as a Tectosilicate and is part of the Feldspar group of minerals. Amazonite forms in a triclinic crystal structure and its chemical formula is K(AlSi3O8). In appearance, Amazonite can range from shades of green to green blue to blue, and often with white streaks or veining. The greenish colour is believed to come from the small amount of lead contained in its composition. Amazonite is named after the Amazon River due to its colour and similarities to another rock found along the riverbanks, although Amazonite is not actually found at or near the Amazon. Although less commonly used in jewellery today, Amazonite has been mined and used by humans for thousands of years and Amazonite jewellery from at least 2000BCE have been discovered in North Africa. Amazonite is found in many locations around the world including Brazil, Peru, Ethiopia, Canada, Russia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Pakistan, China, Madagascar, and the United States of America. This specimen most probably comes from the U.S.A., Amazonite is found in several US states particularly in Colorado, Virginia, Pennsylvania. This specimen is of both scientific and historic significance as a striking blue green example of Amazonite mined prior to 1868 in the United States of America, most likely from Colorado, Virginia, or Pennsylvania. These three states are all locations of significant Amazonite deposits. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A palm-sized Feldspar mineral specimen from the Tectosilicate class in shades of blue-green with white veining.Existing label: green/blue Feldspar / "amazonite" / possibly USA geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, tectosilicate, amazonite, feldspar, triclinic crystal structure, amazonite usa, amazonite colorado, amazonite virginia, amazonite pennsylvania

WT Rawleigh (1870-1952) Freeport USA began in 1889 the direct selling method to sell his products, travelling around on horse and cart in the early days from house to house selling his medicines and other lines. Rawleigh's wide range of products includes: Medicinal, Nutritional, Gourmet, Homecare, Personal Care, Animal & Plant Care Since 1889, millions of families around the world have learned to rely upon and keep Rawleigh's reliable medicines and other products on hand ready for emergencies to relieve sickness, pains, injuries and for their daily needs. By 1920, young Rawleigh had built the biggest manufacturing organisation in the world. Mr Floyd George Rawleigh who was the son of David Rawleigh, W.T.Rawleigh's brother, came to Australia, with Mr Jackson, in 1931 and set up the Rawleighs Company Business . Generations of Australians, Canadians and Americans grew up waiting for The Rawleigh Man to arrive at their front door with his sample case of goodies to add spice to their life and to heal their ailments. In World War II, most Australian soldiers posted overseas carried a tin of Rawleigh Antiseptic Salve in their kits to treat wounds and ward off infection The Rawleigh Man brought to family front doors the best materials money could buy from around the world: spices from Sumatra, Java, China, India, Africa, the West Indies; black pepper from the island of Ponapai; lemon and orange oils from California and Sicily and Vanilla from Madagascar and Java; high grade coffee beans from the Andes. Most of the herbs, roots, barks and buds used in making cough medicines and tonics came from Europe, India, Ceylon, China, North America, the West Indies, Jamaica, Honduras and Asia. From Japan came camphor and menthol for making medicines. From Tavenui, the Garden Island of Fiji, came the food grade coconut oil for Rawleigh's gold medal winning Coconut Oil Soap. Rawleigh products are still only available from Rawleigh men and women who carry on the time-honoured tradition of the Rawleigh company to give individuals a go at developing their own business supplying products to people in their homes. Only now they are also doing it in cyberspace. A clear glass jar with a metal screw lid containing Mustard Ointment made by W.T. Rawleigh Co. Ltd. .Melbourne Lid ; Rawleigh’s Front ; Rawleigh’s / Net WT. / 1 ½ oz / COMPOUND / MUSTARD OINTMENT / WILL NOT BLISTER /preferable to Mustard Plaster / MNUFACTURED BY / The W, T. Rawleigh Co Ltd / MELBOURNE. / Left side ; DIRECTIONS …….. , / Right side ; Useful pharmacy, medicines, mustard ointment, w.t. rawleigh company ltd., hospitals, nursing, containers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, melbourne, respiratory diseases

Published: 21 March 1934 The Age p11 Published title: CROWDED TOURIST SHIP WILL CARRY TEST AND DAVIS CUP TEAMS. Published caption: Carrying an exceptionally large number of tourists, business men and prominent sporting personalities, R.M.S. Orford sailed for London yesterday. Over two hundred passengers embarked at Melbourne, and on leaving the Australian coast there will be two thousand persons on board. The Australian Test team will join the vessel at Fremantle and the remaining two Davis Cup representatives will embark at Adelaide. A picture of the Orford taken just as she moved out from Station Pier, Port Melbourne, under her own steam. Trove article identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203826897 Description: Passenger ship about to depart Station Pier, Port Melbourne. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: The RMS Orford was built by Vickers-Armstrong Shipyard Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England and launched in 1927 by Lady Ryrie, the wife of Sir Granville Ryrie, the Australian Ambassador to the UK. The Orford was owned by the Orient Steam Navigation Ltd and was designed for the mail and passenger service between England and Australia. She was 20,000 tons, 658 ft long, 75 ft across and 80 ft high from water-line to deck. She had eight decks, a swimming pool and cost more than £1,000,000. She could travel at 20 knots – 480 miles a day, a 5 week voyage between Australia and England. There were enough lifeboats to accommodate every person on board. Promoted as a ship of comfort, luxury, speed and grace with spacious, beautifully decorated lounges, smoking-rooms and writing rooms, the SMH 23/11/1928 review said “sitting-rooms where the furniture recreates the air of quiet, exquisite, safe luxury; suites where you may retire from other people, and on a sea voyage other people, even the most charming other people, often begin to resemble one’s worst enemies towards the end of several weeks sea voyaging together”. “Travel like a human being. This is what the great liners give you today. The Orford dining room is enormous (it seated 350 people) the walls sweep up to a white, cool roof supported on decorative pillars. Panels of grey scagliola and carved designs remove the bleak, comfortless air which used to cling to dining-rooms of ships. Everything about them was so wretchedly temporary that you could not enter them without wishing that you stayed at home. They gave you the creeps and indigestion. This room is gay, bright, sunlit, like a luxurious café overlooking the sea.” “You really feel in here that you are a human being and not a piece of cargo endowed with sensation.” The Orford had the punkah louvre system of ventilation which forced draughts through every part of the ship, ensuring “No Ship Smells!!” and avoiding - “… a mayonnaise of all the unpleasant odours generated under heaven. From the hot oil of the engines, from those overheated, bottomless pits below the water-line, from new paint and food, from people perspiring at work, from rope and tar and grease and fruit and wet clothes and tobacco, rises a deplorable incense that lingers unsettlingly in the nostril long after one has left the ship. Those dreadful odours will never rise to torture the senses of passengers who feel that all is over with them.” The modern electric kitchen had a roll making machine capable of producing 2000 rolls for the table an hour and a bread and butter machine which cut the bread into slices and spread the butter in one operation. (The Week – Brisbane 30/11/1928) On 13/10/1928, the Orford made its first voyage to Australia with 520 first class and 1100 3rd class passengers. The name of the passengers embarking and disembarking and their reason for visiting were published in newspapers and the number of migrants for the New Settlers Scheme and the Dreadnought Boys Co program to promote and assist the migration of British youths willing to become farm workers in Australia 1911-1939 were noted too. On the 19th March 1932, RMS Orford featured in the “Parade of Ships” celebrating the official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Only country people were allowed to book a ticket as a guest on board. The Post Office issued commemorative postage stamps showing the Orford sailing under the bridge. In March 1934, the Orford sailed from Australia to London, via Colombo, Aden, Port Said, Naples, Villefranche, Toulon, Parma, Gibraltar and Channel Port. Amongst the 2000 passengers on board was the Davis Cup Tennis team, tennis champions Joan Hartigan and Nell Hopman, the Australian Test cricket team and British champion swimmer Joyce Cooper. Every day tennis player Harry Hopman and an Australian Press Association reporter radioed through reports on their activities, which included – - Test cricket batsman Len Darling having spend 4 days in his cabin after straining his groin when he slipped over while playing ball tennis in his slippers. - Batsman Bill Brown dancing the fox-trot, displaying footwork similar to the grace he showed at the wicket. - Alluding to the seasickness of Don Bradman and Stan McCabe and how they were making up for meals lost on the Great (very choppy) Australian Bight. - Miss Joan Hartigan discarding her bright blue shorts for brighter blue bathers and being first into the pool. - Bowler Bill O’Reilly being tripped by a passenger on the deck and spending the voyage with bandaged wrists with daily updates of his progress in the press. - Wicketkeeper Ben Barnett’s conjuring tricks and constant whirring movie camera. - Results of the quoits, ball tennis and bridge tournaments. A fancy dress ball was held one night and the cricketers dressed as sheiks and sang “The Riff Song” from the pre-code 1929 operetta film “The Desert Song” starring John Bates as the Red Shadow and Myrna Lay as a native dancing girl. Alan Kippax’s beard blew overboard! Joan Hartigan dressed as Burlington Bertie from the music hall song and Nell Hopman a doll in a box wearing a crinkled paper dress. On arrival at Southampton, while they waited for the gangway to be lowered, Bradman entertained the team at the piano playing popular tunes while the cricketers sang. . In 1935, RMS Orford’s third class accommodation was converted to tourist class. Her passenger capacity was now 468 First Class, 515 tourist class and 440 crew. First saloon from Sydney fares cost for single £76, £82, £88 and Third Class fares were £21, £23, £25. Less than a penny a mile. . In 1936, the Orford embarked the exiled Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie at Gibraltar on his way to the UK. In 1939, she was requisitioned for Australian government service and on 7/1/1940 she conveyed the first Australian troops to Egypt and was then used to carry French troops from Tamatave, Madagascar to Marseilles. On 1/6/1940 RMS Orford was bombed and set on fire at Marseilles by German aircraft. 14 crew were killed, 25 wounded. In 1947, the wreck was re-floated and broken up at Savona. . . References: R.M.S. ORFORD. (1928, November 23). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16511535 ARRIVAL OF THE ORFORD (1928, November 30). The Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), p. 21. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article181126802 CROWDED TOURIST SHIP WILL CARRY TEST AND DAVIS CUP TEAMS. (1934, March 21). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203826897 Photographer notations on slide: "B19".tennis, ships

Combined operations plaque - designed and carved by Petty Officer Joiner 3rd Class A W VENABLES on behalf of the Commanding Officer of HMS Northney attached to Combined Operations in the Second World War.Combined Operations made a huge contribution to the successful outcome of the Second World War by undertaking dozens of Commando raids and landings, mostly against the Axis forces, from Norway in the north to Madagascar in the south and from North Africa and the Mediterranean in the west to the Far East, culminating in the D-Day Invasion on the 6th of June 1944.Round solid timber plaque with eagle over sub machine gun over anchor carved in centre.Combined Operations - United We Conquercombined operations, ww2