We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
The author had been part of the Dutch Administration in the former Dutch East Indies, including a role as Governor of Sumatr'a East Coast. His tales bear witness to a deep appreciation and love of the country.
Hardcover book of short stories concerning life in the former Dutch East Indies.
Author L.C. Westenenk
Published by H.P.Leopolds Uitgeverij N.V. Den Haag
Wooden
A doll dressed in the costume of a woman from the province of Zeeland in the south west of The Netherlands.
Regional costumes conveyed information about the wearer, e.g., particular part of the country or province; religion; wealth.
Doll dressed in the traditional costume of a man from Zeeland.
The costume jacket has the brand name "Dovina" Rotterdam-Holland on the back.
The story of how this collection came to be put together in the late 1990's from the memories of a very young child is told in the Introduction. The Tjelana Monet (jumpsuit or "onesie") had a large pocket in the front in which the child could carry his or her treasures. Figuratively speaking, it's from this pocket that Huib Deetman pulled the 50 pre-WWII songs in this collection. The language is also pre-war rather than the post-1945 Bahasa.
A 112p.soft cover book of children's songs in the Indonesian language. The 50 songs are all illustrated with black and white pen drawings. The words are written below the music. The items were collected by Huib Deetman and illustrated by Emmy Verhoeff.
Paperback issue
The book describes a group migration of several families from Groningen all of whom had been involved in the Resistance. They settled in Tasmania, built their own homes and named a street after their home town. They contributed to the development of Kingston.
In de uitgebreide briefwisseling tussen vader Eric van der Laan die vooruit reisde naar Tasmanië in 1950 en de achterblijvers in Groningen word je meegezogen in alle avonturen van de pioniers in het nieuwe land. Ondanks alle ontberingen die Eric en vele andere verzetsstrijders hebben moeten doorstaan (waaronder martelingen in het Huis van Bewaring, het verblijf in kamp Neuengamme en op de Cap d’Arcona), beschikt deze man over een enorme dosis humor en levenslust.
Anne Frank was one of a group of eight Jews in hiding from the Nazis. After their betrayal and transportation only her father Otto Frank survived. Her diary was saved by one of the helpers who brought them food and news during the 2 years in hiding.
The diary bears witness to Anne's budding talent as a writer. It is also an invaluable record of a Jewish family in hiding during WWII. It has been translated into over 70 languages and formed the inspiration for several movies and plays. The house on the Prinsengracht quickly became a major Amsterdam tourist destination and is the home of the Anne Frank Foundation.
120pp hard cover book about the world-wide reactions to Anne Frank's diary. Hence the title "Echo". It describes a stage play and quotes many reactions from readers worldwide. Some of these are in the form of poetry. Authors are Otto Frank and Henri van Praag, President of the Anne Frank Foundation.
"For my daughter Bettina Christina - to remember her Mam. Jan.1976."
3 copper 1 cent coins with holes in the centre issued for The Dutch East Indies
On one side: Nederlandsch Indie 1945; on the other the same information in Sanskrit.
When the German Government imposed ID cards on the Dutch population they employed the collaborator and expert designer Jacob Lentz who claimed they were impossible to forge. The Jewish ones showed a black J on both front and back. However, a Jewish woman living in the Netherlands, Alice Cohn, did learn how to replicate them and thus saved numerous Jewish lives.
These items are significant insofar as all Dutch citizens over the age of 15 were obliged to carry ID on their persons at all times.
Proof of Identity cards issued by the Dutch Government under orders of the German occupying forces. Inside each folder are the owner's full name; DOB; address; occupation; fingerprints and Date of Issue.
a) Photograph and signature of male - J.W.W. v. Alphen. Stamp: Gemeente (Municipality) Rotterdam. Inside cover: R29 No.487892. DOB: Sept.20 1890. b) Photograph and signature of female - H. v. Alphen. Stamp: Gemeente (Municipality) 's-Gravenhage. Inside cover: G41 No.003830. DOB: 12 July, 1920.
Paperback copy of memoir by retired Queen Wilhelmina.
Dr.Fischer-Dückelmann wrote numerous books and papers in 13 languages. She believed female and family health, emotional as well as physical would counteract the evils of war.
The popularity of this early 20th century publication (half a million copies printed) points to a desire among Dutch women to become more educated about their own bodies and their role in the family.
A 216pp hardcover book describing female sexuality. It includes a fold-out colour plate of the female body and numerous other illustrations.
See Item 4533
The diary is still a significant witness to the cruel persecution of Jews and attempted extermination of Jewry by Hitler and his adherents. The Frank family's hiding place at Prinsengracht 263 Amsterdam, is a much visited museum. Translations, plays and movies have followed the diary's publication. Travelling exhibitions have included one in the Melbourne Jewish Museum. The diary is often used as teaching material in secondary schools.
A 269p. soft cover edition of this famous WWII diary of a Jewish teenager in hiding. Apart from the text it contains a number of photos of Anne in the pre-war years. These had not yet been published in the earlier editions (see Item 4533).
A secondary titile reads: "Dagboek brieven 14Juni 1942 - 1 Augustus 1944". (Diary Letters 14th June 1942 - 1st August 1944)
Very likely acquired during the Dutch colonial era.
wooden carving of a kingfisher or jacana in the act of pulling a fish from the water.
Small pale wooden carving of a bird about to land on a tree branch which forms the carving's base.
This copy is part of the 57th print run of the first edition.
A unique insider account by a Jewish teenager of hiding from Hitler during WWII. It is well written and obvious the author could have become a successful writer had she lived.
A paper back issue of the diary.
This diaryof a young Jewish girl is one of the best-known items to come out of the WWII occupation of The Netherlands.
Jews in all Nazi-occupied countries suffered indescribably during the years 1939-1945. In The Netherlands restrictions were imposed gradually but by 1942 it was imperative the family Frank either hide or be transported East. Although many were betrayed by fellow Dutch, in this case 8 Jews were kept hidden at the work address of father, Otto Frank. At the risk of their own lives his colleagues brought food and news. Anne had received a diary for her 13th birthday and immediately made it into her best and most secret friend. Two weeks later the family went into hiding and she continued to record her personal experiences and growth.
A smallish, hard-cover book printed on poor quality paper (indicative of the immediate post-war shortage), illustrated in black and white with one photo of Anne and a few of The Annexe.
Anne Frank. Het Achterhuis. Dagboek brieven van 12 Juni 1942 - 1 Augustus 1944. Met een woord vooraf door Annie Romein - Verschoor. Amsterdam Uitgeverij Contact. Anne Frank. The Annexe. Diary letters from June 12, 1942 to August 1, 1944. With a foreword by Annie Romein - Verschoor. Amsterdam Publisher Contact. Gedrukt door Ellerman Harms N.V. te Amsterdam. Copyright 1947. Printed by Ellerman Harms Ltd. in Amsterdam.
Paperback edition this popular book first published in 1839.
Cleverly folded 1:250,000 road map produced in Dutch, French, German and English containing not only the Dutch road network but also much information of interest to tourists. It is enclosed in a brown imitation leather cover that closes with a stud. Optimal ease of use through patented Falk folding mode.
Falk Plan. Road Map. Netherlands. Repeated in Dutch, French and German.
The German occupation during WWII lives on in the memories of those who survived and the relatives of victims. Many Dutch emigrated during the post-war years but maintained their connection with the home country. This item was most likely acquired during a visit at the time of the 1993 exhibition of which it is the catalogue.
Soft cover publication containing numerous photos taken between May 1940 and May 1945, the years of occupation by Germany.
The contents have been assembled by René Kok, Herman Selier and Erik Somers from the National Institute for War Documentation, Amsterdam. Publisher is Waanders in Zwolle. A single page Foreword was written by Dr .L. de Jong. The six divisions are headed: Introduction, Press Photography, Professional Photography, Colour Photography, Amateur Photography, Illegal Photography. The back cover carries 6 thumbnails indicative of the 6 divisions and a sticker showing the price of €14.95.
A small grey coloured statue depicting a farmer's wife sitting on a bench. Beside her is a basket with a rooster in it. The item is accompanied by a small paper folder explaining the statue's connection with the Dutch folk song: Zoete Lieve Gerritje.
The pink paper folder contains a description of the story of Zoete Lieve Gerritje in Dutch, French, German and English.
A small, lidded ceramic pot decorated in imitation of Delft Blue with images of mills, flowers and abstract designs. The lid has a cork section underneath.
"Echte Zaanse Mosterd" - (Genuine Mustard from Zaandam) "Mosterdmolen De Huisman" (Mustard Mill The Huisman) Anno 1786 The word "Delfts" appears on the bottom of the jar. All words and illustrations are in blue.
Kitchen utensils beautifully made from natural materials including rotan, bamboo, palm tree and grass.
This small statue is a replica of the much larger version of the legendary Mariken van Nijmegen in the Market Square in Nijmegen. It is coloured to look like bronze but is made of a much cheaper material, possibly plastic.
The name Vera van Hasselt appears on the statuette's base.
A soft cover reproduction on poor quality paper of a collection of illustrations first published in 1791. They were of the luxurious homes along the river Amstel owned by wealthy traders.
Although this book is the biography of a Jewess from Vienna rather than from the Netherlands the author's experiences could have taken place in any of the Nazi-occupied countries. Her tale, however, is extraordinary in the combination of survival skills and luck that enabled her to live through the Jewish persecution of WWII.
A 240p. paperback edition of the author's biographical experiences. It mostly describes her extraordinary survival of Hitler's Jew extermination policy.
De Joodse Bruid - Edith Hahn Beer met Susan Dworkin. Zij trouwde een Nazi en redde haar leven. (She married a Nazi and saved her life). Original title : The Nazi Officer's Wife Translated by Ineke van Bronswijk ISBN 90 443 0092X
Dutch migrants from the province of Limburg started a Jokers Club in Melbourne choosing a "Carnival Prins" every year. Hans 2 was chosen in 1987. The custom of partying prior to the start of Lent was very strong in the mainly Catholic Southern provinces - Limburg and Brabant. The custom has lost some of its religious significance and is mainly kept up as a fun event.
Brass medal depicting a Joker on one side with names and a date on the other. The medal is suspended from a red and white twisted cord.
Back of the medal reads: "Hans 2 1987 Bieëgdje". Made in Italy.
In their original form these smoothing irons were filled with hot coal or charcoal and used to remove creases from garments.
Brass smoothing iron most likely produced for the souvenir industry. The original would have held coal or charcoal. The lid can be lifted and there are openings to allow smoke to escape. The lid can be fastened to the main body with a hook. .
Small sweets tin.
Both tin and lid are well-covered with photographs and inscriptions. The photos are all of people and places in Zeeland. The line "J.B.Diesch" refer to the manufacturer of this well-known butterscotch flavoured sweet.
The Dutch are generally content with their Royal family and usually celebrate the birth of a new member of the ruling family. Beatrix was Queen Wilhelmina's first grandchild and destined to succeed the Queen's daughter and her mother Crown Princess Juliana. This is exactly what happened and Beatrix's own eldest child is the current (2018) King Willem Alexander. It was not unusual to present members of the populace with a commemorative item such as this plate.
Round plate with orange crown in centre. The crown is surrounded with the inscription Beatrix Wihelmina Armgard 31 Jan.1938. Around that are orange apples and green leaves. The outside of the plate is outlined with an orange border.
On the back are the words "Geschonken door de Gemeente Nijmegen ter Gelegenheid van Prinsesjes Geboorte". (Presented by the municipality of Nijmegen on the occasion of the princess' birth).
Both the spoon (1) and fork(2) are beautifully crafted in silver. They are meant as decorative items rather than for practical use. The handles of both items finish with shapes of a lion rampant holding a staff with fleur-de-lys.
Both itmes have been much polished and the markings are illegible.
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
