Historical information

Lillie Duncan was a member of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, the women's auxiliary group of the Mission to Seafarers organisation. The LHLG was formed in 1902 and organised social events for visiting seafarers and were directly responsible for much of the fundraising for the construction of the facility at 717 Flinders Street. As a member of the Guild, Lillie was expected to entertain and support visiting seafarers, although within a strict set of rules. This letter, along with a number of others, was sent to Lillie from abroad.

Significance

This letter, along with a number of others sent to Lillie Duncan by visiting seafarers, underscore the social conventions of the time and the work of the Mission to Seafarers in provide comfort and support to visiting seafarers. The letters speak of the many events and activities undertaken at the Mission and provide a snapshot of the era.

Physical description

Letter addressed to Miss L. Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from J. Kokx, U.S.S. Medusa, c/o Pm San Francisco, 5th Div Cal consisting of two parts.
Part 0074.1 Envelope
Part 0074.2 Letter
Both the envelope and the letter are creamy yellow in colour with black curly writing on one side of the envelope and both sides of the letter. The letter begins with "Dear Lillie, I received your letter..." and concludes with "Bundles of love, Julius Kokx, x Little Melbourne girl x"

Inscriptions & markings

The envelope is torn across the top and part of the flap for access to its contents. It has two 2 cent red stamps with the text "United States Postage" and "Washington" on it, and one green 1 cent stamp with the text "U.S. Postage 1 cent 1"