Information about Mac Robertson and the Centenary Air-Race of 1934
Hand-embroidered apron commemorating the Centenary Air Race in 1934
c. 1934Hand-embroidered apron commemorating the London-Australia air race in 1934. The body of the apron is made from cream-coloured cotton to which is attached matching bias binding to the top and sides for wearing.
The outline of England, featuring the printed word 'London' appears on the top left hand side, while the outline of Australia (sans Tasmania) with the printed word 'Melbourne' appears on the lower right hand side.
Between the two countries, are depictions of four planes, getting increasingly larger from left to right. The largest plane is coloured grey and red and is similar in style to the winning plane, a De Havilland DH88 Comet. The second plane is black with voided wings and the last two are just black outlines.
There is a pocket on the upper right hand side which has the words 'Centenary Air-Race 1934' embroidered onto it. The edges of the pocket and those of the apron are embroidered with bright blue blanket stitch.
There is a line of orange chain stitch extending parallel to the edges of the apron, through England and Australia, and there are several areas of decorative floral embroidery featuring wattle blossoms and leaves at the top and on either side.
The Centenary Air-Race was conceived by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Gengoult Smith, as part of the celebrations recognising the centenary of Melbourne.
It was sponsored by the Australian confectionary maker, MacPherson Robertson (known as MacRobertson). As part of this support, he insisted that the race include his name, so it was alternatively known as 'The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race' or the 'London to Melbourne Air Race'.
The race ran from RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia to Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, with 5 compulsory stops en route at Baghdad, Allahabad, Singapore, Darwin, and Charleville, Queensland. Otherwise the route chosen was up to the pilots and crews.
More of the history of the event is attached as a link.
There are several other items relating to this Air-Race in the collection.
There are other similar souvenir embroidered aprons in collections. However, each seems to be different and unique.
Details
Details
Map of England with "LONDON" printed in position.
Map of Australia with "MELBOURNE" printed in position.
On pocket:
"CENTENARY
AIR RACE
1934"
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