Photograph (series), Christmas shopping in the wind and rain, Bourke Street, Melbourne

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SHOPPING CONTINUED AMID RAIN AND STORM IN THE CITY.

Battling against the rain and wind, Christmas shoppers had an unpleasant time in Melbourne yesterday as they made their way from shop to shop; but still, they made their purchases, and with parcels and shopping bags clutched close, and with umbrellas held against the wind, they made their way to trains and trams for the homeward journey. A picture in Bourke-street yesterday.

Photographer notations on slide: "Xmas shopping in wind and rain Age B9"
Published: (1933, December 15). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 13.
Published title: SHOPPING CONTINUED AMID RAIN AND STORM IN THE CITY.
Published caption: Battling against the rain and wind, Christmas shoppers had an unpleasant time in Melbourne yesterday as they made their way from shop to shop; but still, they made their purchases, and with parcels and shopping bags clutched close, and with umbrellas held against the wind, they made their way to trains and trams for the homeward journey. A picture in Bourke-street yesterday.
Trove article identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203353770

Description: Crowd of men and women in winter clothing, in the rain, carrying umbrellas, crossing at the intersection of Bourke and Swanston streets.

“Xmas shopping in wind and rain. When we first saw the rain, umbrellas, long coats and fox stoles, we naturally assumed this photo was taken in mid-winter. Some months later, we noticed the photographer’s pencil “scritchings” at the slide’s edge, and the truth was revealed: mid-December Melbourne in Bourke Street!"

Research by project volunteers:
Visible buildings include Leviathan Men's Clothing Store in Beaux Arts style, Melba Theatre and London Stores, together with signage for Public Benefit Footwear (later to become PBs). Leviathan was an Australian clothing brand established 1865, producing garments for sailing and watersports. Melba Theatre, opened in 1911, was a long narrow theatre of only 17 seats across. Adjacent to the Melba Theatre are a Woolworths and a Coles. The Public Bootery, a shoe shop established 1908, moved to this site 1924. Double headed decorative street lights (now called "Collins Street lights") were installed in 1929, inspired by the street lighting style of San Francisco.

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