Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

Desert Mounted Corps Memorial Souvenir Silk Scarf

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1964

Overview

A silk scarf which depicts the sculpture of the 'Desert Mounted Corps Memorial' of two (2) horsemen on horseback surrounded by colourful scenes and native wildflowers of Albany. Centred below is the round 'Town of Albany' crest, and right edge has the producer/designer signature. The scarf has a blue border.

Historical information

Souvenirs scarf like this one were popular in Australia throughout the 1950-1960s with domestic and international visitors. Its central depiction of the memorial by Neil, who was one of the most prolific producers of souvenir scarves during that mid-twentieth century, highlight the main purpose of its production; a souvenir of the event. NB: One of his last designed for Francois before Neil purchase the company in 1965.
Designed by 'Francois' for Neil drawing of natural landscape formations, historic buildings and native flora of the Albany region. This scarf also features the ‘Town of Albany’ crest which would indicate that it was supported by the Albany council. “Neil NEWMAN (1924-1968) started designing for 'Francois', the souvenir division of Mark Spencer & Company in 1955, at the height of the tourist scarf boom. In 1965 he took the opportunity to buy out this arm of the company with a friend and colleague from 'Francois', Mr MULLER. NEWMAN died three years later but the company lived on.” Anne-Marie VAN de VEN, Ref: Rosie Nice, 'The Australian Scarf' exhibition catalogue, HHT, Sydney, 1993.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2016.4.1

Item type

Souvenirs

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Silk (Textile)

Width

691 mm

Height or length

691 mm

Inscriptions and markings

"LIGHTHORSE MEMORIAL / AUSTRALIA / AND / NEW ZEALAND / 1914-1918 / Albany / Western Australia / TOWN OF ALBANY / DEFENSIVE NOT OFENSIVE / ALBANY BANKSIA / ALBANY BOTTLEBRUSH / THE OLD TOWN HALL / BROWN BORONIA AND ALBANY CATSPAW / SKING RIVER, ALBANY, W.A. / KANGAROO PAWS / NATURAL BRIDGE / BLACK WATTLE / MIDDLETON BEACH, OYSTER HARBOUR, EMU POINT / YELLOW KANGAROO PAW / DOG ROCK. / FLOWERING GUMS / ENTRANCE CHANNEL, PRINCESS ROYAL HARBOUR. / SPIDER ORCHIDS AND LESCHENAULTIA. / MT. CLARENCE"

Contextual information

Bought by Albert George KINGSTON of Albany at the official unveiling of the ‘Desert Mounted Corps Memorial’ on Sunday 11th October 1964. It is a interesting souvenir as it has incorrect details on it such as 'Lighthorse Memorial' which should be 'Desert Mounted Corps Memorial', and the date being '1914-1918' which should read '1916-1918'.

Keywords

Albany

Desert Mounted Corps Memorial

Souvenir

Year

1964

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity