Historical information

Popular souvenirs during World War Two that were easy to fold and post home to Australia.

Like the First World War Egyptian embroideries, they used cotton sateen in a range of bright colours (although sometimes velveteen was used instead) and bear the words 'Souvenir of Palestine', a year date, and sometimes a personal message, as well as images of specific mosques or landmarks, camels, goats and date palms. The Palestinian souvenirs were often seen displayed for sale outside houses in country villages.

Physical description

Colourful cotton sateen Souvenir of Palestine. Beige background with painted images, probably screen-printed, with machine embroidered outlines. Pink fringe. Objects depicted are two brown/yellow camels and one donkey with rider; two date palms with orange trunks and green leaves; the Union Jack and the Australian Flag; and the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Rising Sun badge.

Inscriptions & markings

"Souvenir of Palestine"
"Australian Commonwealth Military Forces"