[Australia Day, 1915]

Australia Day, 30th July, 1915. Souvenir. In Aid of Funds for Wounded Soldiers ... [cover title]

Sydney, Trustees of the National Art Gallery of NSW, 1915.

Quarto, a portfolio containing 7 plates tipped in on thin gilt-captioned card mounts (external dimensions 220 × 285 mm), housed in the original glassine sleeve.

A portfolio of gilt-lettered dark green paper over thin card (a little bowed); extremities a little rubbed, with minor wear to the head of the spine; front pastedown unevenly discoloured; overall, in excellent condition (the contents are fine).

The first plate is a photographic view of the Gallery building; the others reproduce paintings by Arthur Burgess, George Lambert, William Lister Lister, Fred Mahony, A. de Neuville (France), and Sir Luke Fildes (Britain). The only war-related images are one of the Australian Fleet in 1913, and 'The Defence of Rorke's Drift' from the Zulu War in 1879! Several relics of the day are pinned to the flaps on the rear cover of the portfolio: a large inscribed gum leaf surmounted by the Australian Coat of Arms printed on a small card disc, with an attached blue ribbon; a stickpin with a small enamel Australian flag; a flower made out of felt; and a white ribbon tied in a bow, with a small piece of red, white and blue ribbon around the centre.

For the record, the Sir John Monash Centre at the Australian National Memorial in France has this to say about Australia Day: 'In 1915, Australia Day was part of a fundraising plan for Australian troops serving in the war, to help improve the general living conditions of the soldiers and to enable the Red Cross and other organisations such as the South Australians Soldiers' Fund to provide more comfort and care for injured and ill Australian soldiers.

It was the mother of four Australian soldiers, Mrs Ellen Wharton-Kirke, who suggested the organisation of a national patriotic fundraising day to celebrate Australia's military achievements in the conflict and help improve the lives of Australians serving on the front line. The idea was taken up by the government and the date of the first "Australia Day" was set for 30 July 1915.

Three months after the landing of Australian troops in Gallipoli, Australian communities took part in Australia Day. During this day, marches, fairs, auctions and performances are organised all over Australia to raise funds for the troops.

Commemorative items such as ribbons, handkerchiefs, badges or matchboxes were made and sold in the streets of Australia. The messages written on these objects appealed to Australian patriotic sentiment and the development of a strong national identity. The day was also an opportunity for those who could not serve to support the troops.

In 1915, Australia Day was a success and continued in the subsequent years to support the troops fighting on the frontline. It was not until 1935 that Australia Day became Australia's national holiday and was celebrated on 26 January'.

Item #134649

Price (AUD): $500.00
other currencies