#vintage ephemera
1983 Pepsi Supermarket Display
fromPoint of Purchase Design: The Graphics of Merchandise Display
(via:archive.org)
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And so it’s goodbye for the present, as the Ephemera Curator ends work. The Ephemera Tumblr page is finishing its current form - to be replaced in the future by a new approach. Keep your eye on the National Library’s home page for details.
“Q.S.M.V Dominion Monarch” (Capt. D Aitcheson). Concert and prize distribution held in the Lounge at 9 p.m. on Tuesday April 1st, 1952 at sea. Compere Dr E A Booth; stage manager Mr P D Pickup; choreographers Mrs P Smith and Mr Ron Oates; producer Glyn Davies. Programme.
Eph-A-SHIP-1952 detail from front cover
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Australia’s Slim Dusty (1927-2003) had a career that lasted half a century. He was well-known in the 1950s for his hit song “The pub with no beer”. In 2000, he released his hundredth album, and in that year sang “Waltzing Matilda” in the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics. New Zealand’s impressively virtuosic Hamilton County Bluegrass Band sprang to fame in the 1960s. They toured for two years with Slim Dusty at the end of that decade.
Kerridge Odeon Corporation Ltd: Kerridge Odeon presents Australia’s king of country and western, Slim Dusty. The Slim Dusty Show, with New Zealand’s own No. 1 attraction, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band. 1 might only. Wellington St James Theatre, Wednesday 7th May at 8 pm [1969]
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The height of exoticism in the 1960s, full of the colour and excitement of a tropic sun. Red, orange and magenta set the mood for an exciting evening with two of our best-known ‘60s stars, along with Maori singer and guitarist duo Isobel and Peter Cowan, Maori female vocal trio The Shevelles, and entertainer Chic Littlewood.
Ken Cooper Ltd: South American fiesta. John Rowles, first and only Wellington appearance. Allison Durbin, Gold Disc winner 1968. Winter Show Building, Friday 28 February. 7.45 pm. [1969]
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A cheerful contestant in the Miss New Zealand pageant in 1969 displays a typical hairstyle of the day, as she stands beside an unusual stage prop. This Auckland woman eventually won the Miss Zealand title for 1969.
Miss NZ 1969: Miss Auckland, Carole Robinson, age 21. Occupation secretary [1969]
Eph-A-CABOT-Miss-NZ-1969-01-36
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A beer label celebrating 100 years since the first Hereford cattle were imported to New Zealand in 1869 by sailing ship from England. These cattle were brought in by R & E McLean of Bleak House, Howick, Auckland.
New Zealand Breweries Ltd: New Zealand Herefords, 1869-1969, 100 years. Centennial brew, Red Band export lager, brewed and bottled in N.Z. by New Zealand Breweries Ltd, Wellington. [Label. 1969]
Eph-A-ALCOHOL-Labels-NZB-1969-01
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One side of a pamphlet demanding equal pay for women, and suggesting that a judicious vote in the general election could do the trick. It encourages the voter to demand a pledge to extend equal pay to industry, and a illustrates the contrasting dress of Victorian women and those of 1969.
In 1969 we are no longer in the Dark Ages; demand equal pay for work of equal value this year. Standard Press [Front. 1969]
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New Zealand fans were pleased to see Elvis’ car on tour in New Zealand in early 1969. Elvis Presley is said to have bought the car in 1959, and had it customised over the next few years. He sent the car on tour around America to promote his movies in 1965, and then sent it on tour to Australia in 1968, and New Zealand in January 1969.
Radio Corporation of New Zealand Ltd: Elvis Presley’s $75,000 “gold” Cadillac. New Zealand tour. Don’t fail to see this fabulous car. Location - see your local newspaper or radio. By courtesy of R.C.A. [1969]
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This advertisement for a Fiat Bambina, appeared in the 1969 Miss New Zealand contest programme - because such a car was in fact the prize that the successful Miss New Zealand would win. The advertisement shows a young woman standing in the driver’s seat of a Bambina whose sunroof is open. At lower left is a list of all the positive features of the car: easy parking, petrol economy, safety, deceptively large capacity, quality fittings, low price. At lower right is a coupon to send away for a “Propaganda kit for wives” to persuade their husbands to buy them a Fiat Bambina. Such was life.
Fiat (Firm) :Shopping basket or picnic basket, or school bus, or escape kit. Your brand new Bambina will probably be the most versatile thing you’ve ever owned. Torino Motors Ltd, Fiat concessionaires for New Zealand [1969]
Eph-A-CABOT-Miss-NZ-1969-01-33
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A rather special poster for a 1969 Ngaio Marsh production. Do you recognise the actor in the centre, as Theseus? At the time he went by the name of Nigel Neill, but is now known as Sam Neill. The other cast members, from left to right are: Yvonne McKay as Hermia, Bill Stalker as Lysander, Deirdre O'Connor (rear) as Helena, Catherine Wilkin (front) as Hippolyta, Douglas Blair as Demetrius. An attractive group although it omits Oberon, Titania and Puck.
The University of Canterbury Drama Society presents William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, produced by Ngaio Marsh, with Elric Hooper as Puck. Ngaio Marsh Theatre, June 14-July 5, [1969]
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An unusual piece from the Ephemera Collection in that it is hand-painted. This appears to be a drawing made in preparation for publication enclosing a body of text. The vignette of Maori mother and baby at lower right is taken from Lindauer’s portrait of Ana Rupene. The scenic vignettes show Auckland Harbour and Ohinemutu at Rotorua.
[Palmer, Charles?], 1841?-1928 :[Decorative border of leaf design with scenic vignettes. 1900-1929?]
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We do not know the name of the artist who designed this beautiful poster showing the famous “drop scene” on the Wanganui River, but one possibility is John Holmwood, based on suggested attributions for similar posters. The term “drop scene” is more commonly used in the world of stage settings and backdrops, and indeed this scene would make a splendid backdrop for any action.
New Zealand Railways. Publicity Branch: Wanganui River; scenic trip by train & launch. New Zealand / N.Z. Railways Studios. Issued by the N.Z. Railways Publicity Branch [1930s]
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The view shown here is from the corner of Cuba and Manners Streets, with the corner frontage of the Union Clothing Company at the left. At the right is a tram stop for those wanting to go to Newtown, Island Bay and Oriental Bay, in the same place as the current busy bus stop for many suburban destinations.
Manners St[reet], Wellington, looking west. 4366A. New Zealand post card (carte postale), printed in Britain. F.T. series no 2616. [ca 1904-1914].
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To facilitate the travel of those wishing to attend this show, the Railways issued holiday excursion return tickets to Dunedin from Oamaru, Clinton, and intermediate stations for 12-16 July. The Dunedin Fancier’s Club included those interested in birds and dogs. At around the same time other Dunedin clubs included the Orpington Club, the British Bulldog Club, and later the Otago Game Fowl Club,theDunedinPigeonClub, the Otago Canary Club and the OtagoFanciers’Society.
Dunedin Fanciers’ Club: Annual show, Dunedin 12-14 July 1906. Second prize to Mr S Prout of Mornington for Black cocker novice bitches “Papanui Corelli”.
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The Robinson’s ice cream company started up in New Zealand in about 1912, established by members of the Robinson family who had set up a similar factory in Lancashire in 1875. This rather charming advertisement appeared in an issue of the New Zealand farmer in 1925. It is not entirely clear what the Dutch connection is, but chocolate was being produced in the Netherlands at that time and Bensdorp Dutch chocolate was being advertised in New Zealand in the 1910s.
Robinson’s (Firm). Robinson’s eskimo pies. [1925]
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This poster, possibly designed by Edgar Lovell-Smith, shows the front of the Chateau Tongariro in winter time, with skiers and hotel guests outside. In the background, Mount Ngauruhoe smokes. The Chateau was officially opened as a hotel on 16 Feb 1929 but was receiving guests from Dec 1928.This image also appeared on a “poster stamp” issued by the New Zealand Government Tourist and Publicity Department in the mid-1930s.
New Zealand Railways. Publicity Branch. Chateau Tongariro National Park; best reached by rail. Issued by the Publicity Branch, N.Z. Railways. [Printed by] C.S.W. Ltd, N.Z. [ca 1932]
Eph-E-TOURISM-ca-1932-01
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Happy Christmas! If the weather holds, many New Zealand will be eating their Christmas lunch outdoors, in a park on near the beach. Rather than dancing, families may play cricket after lunch or simply find a seat under a shady tree.
New Zealand Government Publicity Office: Wood-nymphs in Wilton’s Bush, Wellington. [1925]
Eph-A-TOURISM-Wellington-1925-01-11
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A poster issued by the “Continuance” lobby in 1928, urging voters in the coming referendum to vote against prohibition. Such a referendum was held together with the general elections. In the poster, a prosperous man is heading down the “Liberty” road along which a Continuance vote would take the country. The white-haired old man in the top hat represents Uncle Sam and America, where prohibition was in force.
The parting of the ways. Keep to the right. Liberty / Oppression. Vote for Continuance / S Westrup [1928?]
Eph-D-ALCOHOL-Continuance-1928-01
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The King Country team won this match against Wanganui 11 to 3. All Black great Colin Meads first played for King Country in 1955 at the age of 19, but we are not certain if he played in this game. Meads ended up playing 125 matches for King Country (as well as 132 matches for New Zealand!)
King Country Rugby Union (Inc) :Representative football, Taumarunui Domain, Saturday 3rd September 1955. King Country v Wanganui, at 2.30 pm. Curtain raiser third grade representatives at 1 pm - Maniapoto v Taumarunui. [Printed by] F Darvill Ltd [1955]
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New Zealand pop singer Allison Durbin is related to Canadian-born actress and lyric soprano Deanna Durbin. After winning an Auckland talent quest, she made her first recording at the age of 14 for Zodiac Records. At 18 years old she won the 1968 Loxene Golden Disc Award for her recording of “I have loved me a man”.
Doug Elliott and Roy Young present The Allison Durbin Show! Special guest star Larry Morris, formerly of Larry’s Rebels, now incredible as a solo artist … Bobby Davis … George Tumahai … Knife Dancers … Quincy Conserve. All on the one big family show. [ca 1968].
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A page from a mail order catalogue shows a good selection of pedal cars, tricycles and bicycles available in New Zealand in the early 1930s. Toy cars cost up to 5 pounds 10 shillings back then, while a tricycle could cost up to 89 shillings or around 4 pounds 10 shillings. These prices appear to be roughly a week’s wages at the time.
Farmers Trading Company Ltd :Tricycles, scooters & toy cars [1932].
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