Collection
Objects
EXPLORE THE WMA OBJECTS COLLECTION
The Women’s Museum of Australia collection holds over 2500 objects including domestic technology, photographs, manuscripts, clothing, jewellery and books.
Digitising the collection and making it available online is an evolving resource that will, over time, represent many more of the Museum’s collection highlights.
You can also explore our Library, which holds books and audiovisual materials by clicking HERE.
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Pattern book, ''Patons; Men Who've Made It - In Misti''
This book contains some advertisements and patterns for making men’s jumpers, cardigans and vest. It also explains what needles to use and the accessories like a stitch holder and the abbreviation… Read more…
Maker: COATS PATONS [AUSTRALIA]
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CWA Air Branch No. 1 Minute Book
CWA [Country Women’s Association] Air Branch No. 1 minute book. The cover is dark green and made of cardboard with fabric binding. In blue ink is written, in the top right corner, “MINUTE BOOK” and… Read more…
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WEL Alice Springs Minute Book, 1975-76
Minutes Book for WEL [Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL)] Alice Springs, 1975 – 76, Gillen Primary School. Blue notebook, measuring 20.5 cm width by 26 cm length, with “5020 NOTEBOOK” underlined and… Read more…
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"The Harmony Guide to 100's More Crochet-Stitches"
This book is a knitting dictionary and explains what is needed before starting to knit, knitting pattern stitches, patchwork motifs, hints and professional finish. It also contains advice on how to… Read more…
Maker: Gordon and Gotch [Australiasia] Ltd.
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Stroud Berlin upright piano
STROUD BERLIN PIANO circa 1920 The Pianola Company, New York HISTORY This well travelled piano was bought second hand by Eileen Kathleen Kempe in the early 1920’s when the Kempe family were living… Read more…
Maker: The Pianola Company
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Upright Piano
UPRIGHT PIANO Made in England, circa 1932 by E. Belling HISTORY Oral history states this piano arrived in Alice Springs in 1928, and was wheeled to dance halls on a trolley after being purchased… Read more…
Maker: E. Belling
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Blue Supper Cloth
Light blue supper cloth with embroidered scenes representing various Northern Territory industries. Hand embroidered, made for the 100 anniversary of the Northern Territory (NT). It illustrates the… Read more…
Maker: Georgina Florence Rose
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Pattern book ''Craftmakers Special; Winter Knitting Collection''
This book contains patterns for knitting and crocheting for her, him and the kids. It also mentions tension, that tension varies between knitters. Therefore it is very important to carry out a… Read more…
Maker: BETTER HOMES AND GARDEN
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Clutch Bag
Gold clutch bag with gold clasp and metal chain handle.
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Pink Dress and Jacket
Pink dress, slip, and jacket. (a) Slip with front V. (b) Dress with front V. No label. (a) slip(b) dress© jacket
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Fawn Dress, Belt and Jacket
Fawn coloured dress, belt, and jacket. No label, no size. (a) dress w/belt (b) jacket
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Book "Hopwood & Crew's Harmonium Tutor Without a Master"
“Hopwood & Crew’s Harmonium Tutor Without a Master”. Harmonium Series No. 1. Price one shilling. Several instructive lessons. The whole compiled, composed, and arranged by Carlo Minasi. The… Read more…
Maker: Henderson, Rait, and Fenton, Type-Music and General Printers
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
Chadwick’s cotton reel (thread), six cord, 200 yards. Appears black.
Maker: Chadwick’s
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
J. & P. Coats cotton reel (thread), 6 cord, 200 yards. Appears black.
Maker: J. & P. Coats
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
C. A. Rickards machine silk, (thread). The shade is dark navy blue.
Maker: C. A. Rickards
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
Imperial Union Manufacturing cotton reel (thread). Best six cord #40, 200 yards.
Maker: Imperial Union Manufacturing
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
Warranted 200 yards, cotton reel (thread). The other label is missing.
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
Cotton reel (thread). Chadwick’s six cord, 200 yards. Appears black in color. In an inverted triangle is J C & BRO.
Maker: Chadwick’s
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
Cotton reel (thread), royal blue in colour. One label has “shade no. 409”. The other has the manufacturer’s logo (unknown), 50 yards, extra super machine twist. The colour is either black or dark… Read more…
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
Anchor/Clark & Co’s cotton button thread, 50 yards, extra strong, black.
Maker: Anchor/Clark & Cos.
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
Cotton reel (thread). The manufacturer identifying label is missing. The colour appears black; the shade number is given as 524.
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Silk Reel (Thread)
“B. C of A” Quality Sewing Silk reel (thread). Shade no. 219 (appears to be black).
Maker: B. C of A
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Cotton Reel (Thread)
Chadwick’s cotton reel (thread), six cord, 200 yards. Appears black in colour.
Maker: Chadwick’s
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Gloves Short, Black Gathered at Wrist
Gloves black, short gathered at wrist (4 gathers) on outside . Inside is plain.
Maker: KAYSER
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Gloves Short Black with Embroidery
Gloves black short with embroidery along side nearest little finger and half way across wrist on outside. Inside of glove is plain. On inside of glove can see where cloth was used to aid embroidery. Read more…
Maker: DENTS
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Short, Black Gloves
Gloves short, black with long slit gathered in at regular intervals leaving 8 peepholes from wrist to fingers on outside of glove.Decorative seam on outside of hand.
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Gloves, Russet, Short
Gloves, russet,short. Given to us as a pair but on closer inspection not a pair. a) gathered in 3 seams at the wrist and a paler russet colour than the other. b) longer and has only one seam gathered… Read more…
Maker: MAMBO
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Gloves, Brown, Short
Gloves, short and brown. 3 seams on outside of gloves and visual seams on all fingers and thumbs. Scalloped edges on wrists with overlocked edges.
Maker: MYJOY
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Zither
Zither
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The Young Ladies Journal
The Young Ladies Journal
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Pattern book ''Patons Classic Collection in 5 and 8 Ply for Ladies'' No. 53
This book contains patterns, measurements and materials to make ladies cardigans and jumpers. It also describes the correct tension for your garments to make it work and the correct needle to use.… Read more…
Maker: COATS PATONS PTY, LIMITED
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Pattern book ''Totem ; 11 Children's Designs'' Paton's Book 480
This book contains some advertisements and patterns for making clothes for the children. Knitting and crocheting like crocheted ponchos, jumpers, cardigans, caps and scarfs. It has twenty pages and… Read more…
Maker: COATS PATONS [ AUSTRALIA ] LTD.
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4 cups, 2 saucers, 2 dessert/salad plates, & dinner plate
4 cups, 2 saucers, 2 dessert/salad plates, & dinner plate4 cups: 9 cm top diameter, 4.8 base diameter, 7.8 cm high2 saucers: 14.5 cm diameter2 dessert/salad plates: 17 cm diameter1 dinner… Read more…
Maker: Thomas Forester & Sons
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Needle, Bone
Bone needle.
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Pack of Needles
Pack of needles (Cleopatra NEEDLES, T. & J. Holyoake’s, Established 1734). One needle has green thread. Seven needles.
Maker: T. & J. Holyoake
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Pack of Needles
Pack of needles (T. & J. Holyoake’s Original DIAMOND 1⁄5 Egg Eyed __nble Long …” Eight needles of two sizes.
Maker: T. & J. Holyoake
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Booklet "Sydney Harbour Bridge, Souvenir and Guide Book"
Booklet Sydney Harbour Bridge, Souvenir and Guide Book. All pages are of glossy paper. Including the front and back covers, there are 24 unmarked pages, almost entirely of photos. Measures 24.5 cm… Read more…
Maker: Sydney Ferries Ltd.
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Booklet “Sydney Harbour Bridge”
Booklet Sydney Harbour Bridge. The covers are made of heavy, red cardstock. Twelve photos. Measures 22.7 cm wide by 18 cm long.
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Booklet "The SOLVOL Animal Book"
Booklet The SOLVOL Animal Book. The covers are of glossy paper. Twenty-eight pages, which includes the contents page. Included are such categories as: Egg-Laying Mammals — Bandicoots,… Read more…
Maker: J. Kitchen & Sons Pty. Ltd. By Halstead Press Pty. Ltd.
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Booklet "The Australian Museum, 1952"
Booklet The Australian Museum, 1952. The covers are of heavy cardstock. Thirty-two, numbered pages. The sections are Places and Pastoral Stations; Aboriginal Names of Port Jackson; Euphonious… Read more…
Maker: A. H. Pettifer, Government Printer
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Length of Lace Trimming
Length of lace trimming (with pink round buttons). Measures 77 cm in length and 2 cm in width.
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Length of Sequined Trimming
Length of sequined trimming (beaded). Measures 23 cm length by 1.5 cm width.
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Length of Sequined Trimming
Length of sequined trimming (black). Measures 10 cm width and 23 – 24 cm length. Slightly torn.
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Length of Sequined Trimming
Two pieces of sequined trimming (turquoise). (a) measures 19 cm length by 1 cm width and is torn at one end. (b) measures 18 cm length by 1 cm width.
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Zipper
Khaki-coloured zipper, measuring 29.5 cm length and 2 cm width. Appears to have been used with clipped threads from where it was removed.
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Pack of Gold Elastic Braid
Pack of gold elastic braid. The braid was not unrolled to measure its length. The cardboard it is wrapped around measures 4 cm width by 5 cm length.
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Card of Buttons (Wedgewood)
Card of buttons (Wedgewood). Four cards, with the last torn off the fan base. Card two (16 lines) contains 12 1‑cm ivory buttons. Card three (20 lines) has 12 1.2‑cm ivory buttons. Card four (18… Read more…
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Pearl Earring
Described in the NPWHF as a pearl earring, although it looks like a decorating bauble. White in colour, hanging from a curved, silver hook. A loop extends from its bottom. Measures 2.9 cm length,… Read more…
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Child's Shoe
Child’s shoe (button-up type), only one, white. Inside the shoe is the label:GUARANTEED HIGH CLASSInfants Footwear‘CUTHY’ — O — LEATHER SOLECUTHBERTSON – OATLEY N.S.W.30 Years Trading
Maker: Cuthbertson
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Beaded Floral Patch
Beaded floral patch. Appears hand-made. Eight petals around center. Measures 5.7 cm in diameter.
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Beaded Floral Patch
Beaded floral patch. Appears hand-made. Eight petals around center. Measures 5.9 cm in diameter.
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Pack of Hooks and Eyes
Pack of hooks and eyes (“World Famed” Newey Hooks & Eyes”). On the front, is printed:“WORLD FAMED” SIZE 1NEWEY HOOKS & EYESBY APPOINTMENT TO H.M. QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER — HOOK… Read more…
Maker: Newey
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Pack of Hooks and Eyes (Newey's Art. S. 19)
Pack of Hooks and Eyes (Newey’s Art. S. 19). On the back is written:FINEST HARD STEEL WIRE – MADE IN ENGLAND. – EXTRA JAPANNED FINISH.On the front, in the top two corners is the number one in an… Read more…
Maker: Newey
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Thimble
Thimble. Measures 1.9 cm diameter by 1.8 cm height. Made of aluminum.
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Tin of Beads and Shells
E. C. Calvert & Co. Carbolic Tooth Powder tin of beads and shells for adorning jug covers. Eight light blue round beads, 34 shells.
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"Eumenthol" Jujubes Tin of Hooks and Eyes
“Eumenthol” Jujubes tin of hooks and eyes. Contains 64 hooks, 98 eyes, and 10 snaps.
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Buttons (Beauclaire)
Buttons (Beauclaire). Five light blue, measures 2.2 cm diameter. The card measures 9 cm length and 6 cm width.
Maker: Beauclaire
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Two Bodkins
Two bodkins (a,b), brass coloured. Measures 0.6 cm width by 7.3 cm length.
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Needle, 8 cm
Needle, 8 cm length.
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Buttons, Assorted
Thirty-two assorted buttons. A description of each can be found in the NPWHF donation folder.
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Pattern book, '' Handwerken met Ariadne'' Nr 9 September 1983
This book contains some advertisements and patterns for making clothes for the family, knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching. It has a hundred and ten pages and in Dutch language. Some tear at… Read more…
Maker: Ariadne, Antwoordnummer 333, 3500 XC UTRECHT
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Booklet "Land of the Southern Cross"
Booklet Land of the Southern Cross. Every page is printed in colour on a thick paper. Secured by two staples. Ten pages plus the two covers. Measures 12 cm wide by 18.5 cm long.
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Booklet "A Coronation Memento Presented to Young People"
Booklet A Coronation Memento Presented to Young People made entirely of glossy paper. Twelve pages plus the two covers. Measures 13.5 cm width by 21 cm length.
Maker: The Specialty Press Limited
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Booklet "Catalogue & Guide to the Pylon Lookout and all Australian Exhibition"
Booklet Catalogue & Guide to the Pylon Lookout and all Australian Exhibition – Sydney Harbour Bridge – No. 3 Edition made entirely of glossy paper, secured with two staples. Six pages of… Read more…
Maker: Seaborn Printing Co.
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Booklet "Highlights from History"
Booklet “Highlights from History issued by The Savings Bank of South Australia on the Occasion of Its Centenary 11th March 1948.” The covers are made of beige-coloured cardstock. The pages have… Read more…
Maker: The Collotype Ltd., Printers
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Book "Commonwealth of Australia Jubilee 1901-1951"
Paperback, forty unnumbered pages secured with two staples, and measuring 14.4 cm width by 16.7 cm length. Gold cover with the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, and the title “Commonwealth of Australia… Read more…
Maker: The Commonwealth of Australia
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Book "Green and Gold Cookery Book, Revised"
Paperback, measuring 12 cm width by 17.5 cm length. Thirty-eighth edition; a search for a year was unsuccessful. Contains 253 numbered pages. The back, left endleaf has a recipe for Cheese Ball… Read more…
Maker: Rigby Limited
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Book "We of the Never Never"
Paperback book, We of the Never Never, by HerStory author Jeannie GUNN. Measures 12 cm wide by 18.5 cm length and contains 188 pages.
Maker: Brown, Prior & Co. Pty. Ltd.
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Magazine "Australian Home Journal", August 1963
Contains 50 pages. No table of contents or index. Measures 21.1 cm width by 27.7 cm length. The magazine included three original, unused, patterns: 5970 – woman’s frock; 9221 – girl’s (6 years)… Read more…
Maker: Australian Home Journal Offices
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New Year Greeting Card, 1911-12
Gold border with “Lest we Forget” in blue font and “My New Year Greeting” in gold font. Drawing contains gold leaves and blue flowers. In the address area, written in black fountain pen ink is: To… Read more…
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Birthday Card
Birthday card (postcard type). In the address area, written in blue fountain pen ink is: To Mother from Lena The drawing is of a woven basket holding pink flowers with yellow centers and leaves.… Read more…
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Book - "Australian Girl Guides Diary, 1950"
The cover is of an ivory-coloured canvas-type material with a drawing in red ink. The title is in ivory font on a red background. The pages are not numbered. There is no table of contents or… Read more…
Maker: Exchange Press Pty. Ltd.
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Book - "Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, 1934"
Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, 1934. Measures 14 cm wide, 20.1 cm length, and 4.2 cm height. Has a dust cover which is worn and torn in places. Contains 234 pages. The stitches… Read more…
Maker: Hodder & Stoughton Limited
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Book - "New Testament in Commemoration of The Coronation, 1911, for Daily Use"
Hardback book New Testament in Commemoration of The Coronation, 1911, for Daily Use, containing 286 pages. Red cover with black font. Measures 9.5 cm width by 14.7 cm length. Inscribed to Mary… Read more…
Maker: Horace Hart, Printer to the University
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Booklet - "Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret"
This booklet is one in a series of six. Published by Sampson Low, a 19th century London bookseller and publisher and L. T. A. Robinson Ltd. Measures 6.5 cm width by 8 cm length. Made entirely of… Read more…
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Booklet "Her Majesty the Queen"
This booklet is one in a series of six. Published by Sampson Low, a 19th century London bookseller and publisher and L. T. A. Robinson Ltd. Measures 6.5 cm width by 8 cm length. Made entirely of… Read more…
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Booklet - "Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cornwall and the Princess Anne"
This booklet is one in a series of six. Published by Sampson Low, a 19th century London bookseller and publisher and L. T. A. Robinson Ltd. Measures 6.5 cm width by 8 cm length. Made entirely of… Read more…
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Booklet - "H.M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother"
This booklet is one in a series of six. Published by Sampson Low, a 19th century London bookseller and publisher and L. T. A. Robinson Ltd. Measures 6.5 cm width by 8 cm length. Made entirely of… Read more…
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Booklet - "Her Majesty Queen Mary"
This booklet is one in a series of six. Published by Sampson Low, a 19th century London bookseller and publisher and L. T. A. Robinson Ltd. Measures 6.5 cm width by 8 cm length. Made entirely of… Read more…
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Booklet "His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh"
This booklet is one in a series of six. Published by Sampson Low, a 19th century London bookseller and publisher and L. T. A. Robinson Ltd. Measures 6.5 cm width by 8 cm length. Made entirely of… Read more…
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Button Hook
Measures 10.9 cm length and 1.4 cm width at widest. Bone is discoloured/marked and metal has turned black in many places. The handle is 5.4 cm, and the needle is 5.5 cm length.
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Cine Camera in Case
Cine camera in case. Sankyo Super CME444 Hi-Focus. Has user’s manual.
Maker: Sankyo Seiki MFG. CO., LTD., now Nidec-Sankyo, Japan
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Book "Preparation for Motherhood"
Book “Preparation for Motherhood”. Measures 13.5 cm wide by 20 cm length. Yellowed paper. The back cover is torn in several pages. One hundred twelve (112) pages. The front coverTHE MOTHERS AND… Read more…
Maker: The Mothers and Babies’ Health Association
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Book "How to Get Well"
Book, “How to Get Well”, no date. Measures 12.5 cm width by 18.5 cm length. The covers are beige in colour with black print. HOW TO GET WELLAccording to “NATURE’S WAY”With an ALPHABETICAL LIST of… Read more…
Maker: E. W. Cole’s Book Arcade
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Nylon Stockings
Nylon stockings in the original packaging, which is open. The heavy paper covering measures 16.8 cm width 22 cm length. The cover has printed in black:[a drawing of a woman putting on her hose] –… Read more…
Maker: Modern Miss
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Pot Holder
Pot holder: denim with two green flower patches on one side; the other is off-white with soft, hessian bag-type fabric and also one green flower patch. The top was bound with gold-coloured binding,… Read more…
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May Day, Alice Springs Cap
White, paper cap (similar to what nurses used to wear) with, in red lettering “MAY DAY – ALICE SPRINGS” and curved lines. Triangular when opened. Measures 24.6 cm + 17 cm + 13.7 cm, perhaps 17.5 cm… Read more…
Maker: Slingo & Williams Pty. Ltd.
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Good Luck Horseshoe
Silver horseshoe made of light, painted wood. On the front, written from top left to top right, is: Charles Stevens – 30 – Good – 9 – Luck – 33- Merle Lomas The numbers are in red ink white the… Read more…
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Tamworth District Hospital, Pharmacopoeia, 1929
Book, Tamworth District Hospital [Tamworth, New South Wales], Pharmacopoeia, 1929. The covers are dark green with “TAMWORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL – Pharmacopoeia – 1929 – “The Northern Daily Leader,”… Read more…
Maker: The Northern Daily Leader, Printers
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Invitation to Meet Queen Elizabeth II
Invitation to meet Queen Elizabeth II. Measures 25.5 cm width by 20.8 cm length. Appears to have been taped into an album as the four corners show discolouration made by tape. Some wrinkles.… Read more…
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Photo of Marie HENDERSON
Annotated photo of Marie HENDERSON. Measures 21 cm wide by 29.5 cm length. The photo measures 19.8 cm wide by 28.8 cm length.
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Photo of Marie HENDERSON
Photo of Marie HENDERSON. Measures 21 cm wide by 29.5 cm length. Is a copy of two photos with annotation. The top measures 11.1 cm wide by 16.7 cm length. The bottom measures 15.5 length and 10… Read more…
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Photo of Marie HENDERSON
Photo of Marie HENDERSON. Measures 21 cm wide by 29.5 cm length. Is a copy of two photos with annotation. The one of marie measures 15 cm wide by 11 cm length. The one of a page from her… Read more…
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Coronation Medal and Certificate
Coronation Medal and Certificate. Measures 19 cm wide by 24.7 cm length. Certificate appears to have been taped into an album as three spaced lines showing discolouration on front cover. The… Read more…
Maker: Buckingham Palace
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State Reception Program
State Reception program, measures 19 cm wide by 27.2 cm length. Eight pages. Appears to have been taped into an album as three spaced lines showing discolouration on front cover.
Maker: W. M. Houston, Government Printer
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NPWHF Images Associated with Marie HENDERSON
Standard CD case measuring 14.2 cm width by 12.5 cm length. Handwritten with blue permanent marker is: PIONEER WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME — IMAGES ASSOC WITH — MARIE HENDERSON BMP FORMAT
Maker: NPWHF
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Book "Air Raid Precautions"
Book Air Raid Precautions. Measures 10 cm wide by 16 cm length. Brown cardboard cover with red cloth binding. The front cover text is in black. Under a seal [presumably the seal of the Victorian… Read more…
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Hair Grips
Four hair grips on original cardboard. Cardboard measures 14.3 cm width by 9.5 cm length. The two bottom corners have fallen off. Between two off-white triangles is “SUPERIOR QUALITY” and under… Read more…