WWII era paper fundraising tag - China Relief appeal
1942World War Two era circular paper patriotic tag likely sold in Brisbane in August 1942 to support Chinese civilian war relief.
It features the patriotic colours of red, white and blue on a cream background.
The centre of the tag features two large, bold Chinese characters written in a traditional calligraphic style using a vibrant red ink. The characters are orientated vertically and read from top to bottom.
The top character 福 (fú), represents 'good fortune', 'blessing' or 'happiness', while the bottom character 壽 (shòu), represents 'longevity' or 'long life'.
Enclosing the central text is a circular wreath (a universal symbol of victory, honour, and peace) with a ribbon at the centre bottom printed in a blue-grey ink.The background is cream in colour.
There is a small hole at the centre top through which a piece of dark blue cotton cord is threaded for attachment.
The reverse has a name, 'E. Mathieson', handwritten in black ink vertically on the right hand side.
The reverse is plain and there are no maker's marks.
During the late 1930s and 1940s, organisations like the China War Relief Association and United China Relief (established in 1941) held massive fundraising campaigns across the United States, Australia, and other Allied nations. They raised millions of dollars to supply medical aid, food, and refugee assistance to the Chinese people enduring the Second Sino-Japanese War.
The bold red Chinese characters for 福壽 (fú shòu—Blessing and Longevity) were chosen intentionally to represent survival, endurance, and hope for the long-term future of the Chinese people amidst wartime destruction.
This tag was attached with a safety pin to another supporting the Australian Comforts Fund and associated charities through an appeal called 'Battle Stations Week'.
Both tags were signed by the same person, E. Mathieson, on the reverse, so it seems likely that they were purchased at the same time and worn as proof of donation to both causes.
Details
Details
"福
壽"
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