Uploads from National Library NZ on The Commons

Binding by Zaehnsdorf, late 19th or early 20th century

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:03:21 -0800

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

The upper and lower covers of this light green goatskin binding have a single outer fillet enclosing an ornate floral border tooled in gold, with a central armorial crest of Alexander H. Turnbull. The spine is also gold tooled with a floral design, and the volume has gold tooled edges and turn-ins, with marbled endpapers, and gilt text edges. The binder’s stamp on the turn-in of upper cover reads "Bound by Zaehnsdorf"; with Zaehnsdorf’s oval seal in gold on the lower pastedown.

Purchased by Alexander H. Turnbull.

Algernon Charles Swinburne, Atalanta in Calydon (London : E. Moxon & Co., 1865). REng SWIN Atal 1865.

Binding by Zaehnsdorf, 1914

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:03:18 -0800

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

The upper and lower covers of this red goatskin binding are blind stamped with an oval floral design. One of Alexander H. Turnbull’s nine armorial crests is stamped in gold in the centre of both covers. The binder’s stamp on the 1st flyleaf reads “Bound by Zaehnsdorf 1914”; with Zaehnsdorf’s oval seal in gold on the lower pastedown.

Purchased by Alexander H. Turnbull.

John Suckling, Fragmenta aurea (London : prinred [sic] for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Princes Arms in S. Pauls Church-yard, 1648). REng SUCK Frag 1648.

Woolworths in Levin, around 1949

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:58:21 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Woolworths Ltd., Woolworths, open in Levin. Bargains in all departments, ca 1949, Photolithograph 540 x 432 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-D-RETAIL-1949-01

As the country slowly recovered from war shortages, variety stores such as Woolworth’s and McKenzie’s used this matter-of-fact format in the 1940-1950s, with individual squares clearly advertising each product with its price beside it.

From a teatowel to a tumbler, from slippers to knitting wool, no product was too humble to appear proudly in print, as a more comfortable everyday life resumed.

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Riverhead Gold tobacco, 1940s?

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:57:33 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

National Tobacco Company Ltd, Riverhead Gold Tobacco. It's toasted, 1940s, Photolithograph on card, 502 x 258 mm (irregular), Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-C-TOBACCO-NTC-1940s-01

Despite the product, we are assured that tobacco is a relatively healthful indulgence (less nicotine!), and the glowing face of the smiling young woman working in the healthy outdoors, reinforces this idea.

Riverhead Gold tobacco was picked just out of Auckland, but taken for processing to the National Tobacco Company’s factory at Napier.

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The Great Levante in Wellington, 1941

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:55:30 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Opera House Wellington, The Great Levante … Hows Tricks, 1941, Chromolithograph, on poster 691 x 470 mm (cropped)), Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-D-CABOT-Magic-1941-01

This event may have served as an escape from thoughts of war. The design continues the trend of posters of the 1930s which tended to be full of saturated colour.

The Great Levante dominates this lively montage of fantastical vignettes, at the top of a diagonal column of fire at top right. The fire rises from a cauldron at bottom left, held by two devils. And at lower right, two devils shoot a young woman out of a cannon through a screen while rabbits and geese run away. Towards the top left, Levante shoots through two devils and a young woman, at the target.

Other motifs include a guillotine, glasses and tumblers, playing cards, a skeleton, a woman in a glass case, bell, dovecote, bats and owls.

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The New Zealand centennial Exhibition 1939-1940

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:54:37 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Charles Haines Advertising Agency Ltd, .Z. Centennial Exhibition. The fun of the fair, November, 1939, Offset lithograph, 750 x 505 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-E-EXHIBITION-1939-01

From anecdotal evidence, we believe that many homes had copies of this poster hanging up during the 1940s. The atmosphere is indeed of the enormous fun, variety and colour to be experienced by all at the Centennial Exhibition.

The poster design style is reminiscent of popular comics, and appeals to a thirst for celebration and escapism, especially with a World War beginning on the horizon.

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Commercial airlines become successful, late 1930s

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:52:29 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

New Zealand Union Airways Ltd, Speed comfort regularity by air; Union Airways, 1936-1939, Relief print, red, green, silver and black, on paper, 886 x 570 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-E-AVIATION-1930s-01

There is something intriguing about cut-away pictures showing a peek inside an inner world, normally hidden from view.

It is often used in children’s illustrations and the covers of toy model boxes! On the other hand, the heading “speed, comfort, regularity” evokes advertising for another type of product altogether.
Union Airways was, from 1936, the largest New Zealand airline, and began a scheduled interisland service on 16 January 1936. In 1938, it merged with East Coast Airways, which had begun in 1935. Both companies had financial backing from the Union Steam Ship Company.

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Maltexo for growing greater, 1935

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:52:00 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

New Zealand Railways. Publicity Branch, For growing greater! Wilson's Maltexo, ca 1935, Chromolithograph, 1015 x 755 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-E-PHARMACY-1935-01

Another Railways Studios poster for a well-known dietary supplement, to raise bonny babies and children, a matter of pride for New Zealanders.

Once again the impact of this poster is in its simplicity and the child’s spontaneous pose; and his flesh tone colour is complementary to the blue background. The sight of the baby would be sure to warm the hearts of parents, and encourage them to buy the product.

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Fleming’s Creamoata, 1933

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:51:07 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Fleming & Co. (N.Z.), Sergt. Dan's favourite - Sweet Heart O'Wheat custard, 1933, Photolithograph, 64 x 111 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-A-FOOD-1933-01

Young Sergeant Dan became a well-known mascot for Fleming’s ‘Creamoata’. He was a figure designed initially by Charlotte Lawlor (1879-1941), while she was working for the advertising agency, Chandler and Co in Auckland in the early 1920s.

Later illustrations made Sergeant Dan a more mature adventurer, but the appeal of this small round-eyed figure is more timeless, and was the version used on the side of Fleming’s Creamoata factory in Gore.

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Screening at a country town, 1931

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:48:27 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Warner Bros, The Green Goddess, 1931, Offset print on cover spread, 190 x 230 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-A-CINEMA-1931-01-cover

The 1920s and 1930s saw the proliferation of the type of small pamphlets and fliers that once again came into vogue in the 1990s.

This folded pamphlet, for an action thriller with touches of exoticism, was published in Massachusetts but it was rubber-stamped in New Zealand to advertise a screening at Kerepehi.

Buses brought theatre-goers from the surrounding rural district to watch the show. The Ephemera collection contains several pamphlets stamped in this way

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Chevrolet at General Motors, Petone, 1930

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:47:15 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

General Motors New Zealand, The greatest Chevrolet in Chevrolet history. [Catalogue cover], 1930, Photolithograph, 160 x 216 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-A-MOTOR-VEHICLES-1930-01-cover

This glamorous scene is the front cover of a beautiful colour illustrated sales catalogue for Chevrolet which was assembled locally by the General Motors factory in Petone, opened in 1926.

The milestone of 1000 vehicles was reached after eight months, and by 1929, 12,000 vehicles had been assembled.

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Shipping poster, 1930s

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:46:46 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

New Zealand Shipping Company Ltd, New Zealand line. R.M.S. Rangitata in Gaillard Cut, 1930s, Screenprint, 980 x 1253 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-H-SHIP-1930s-01

Some of the most striking posters on the international scene in the twentieth century were those showing ships; the large flat surfaces lent themselves well to poster treatment. This one uses a comparatively subtle colour palette.

We think the date is likely to be the early 1930s, because of the style and because the R.M.S. Rangitata was launched in 1929.

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Stanley Davis

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:45:22 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Stanley Davis (1882?-1938), "New life"; Lane's Emulsion restores and maintains health., 1927, Colour lithograph, 1015 x 760 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-E-PHARMACY-1927-01

A touch of melodrama and a warm background colour draw the eye to this magnificent poster, lithographed by the Christchurch Press.

The artist was Stanley Davis, a supervising artist of the New Zealand Outdoor Advertising Branch. He had studied art in London and Paris and was responsible for several striking posters.

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Smith & Caughey department store, 1926

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:45:03 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Smith & Caughey Ltd, Spring and summer [clothing catalogue], 1926, Photolithograph, 245 x 185 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-A-COSTUME-1926-01-cover

The war years forgotten, this elegant young woman leads the way in demonstrating how to stand around looking decorative.

Perfectly colour co-ordinated in soft pink, she stands in an elegant architectural setting and graces the front cover of a 72-page illustrated catalogue of fashion clothing for men and women, evoking glamour just before the Depression arrived.

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Thomson soda, 1915-1918

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:44:42 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Thomson & Company , Postcard for Thomson Soda. Caxton Co., Dunedin, ca 1915-1918, Chromolithograph on postcard, 137 x 87 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-A-BEVERAGE-Soft-1915-01

This advertisement is notable because of the unlikely juxtaposition of a soda bottle and an Egyptian desert. What more welcome sight for a sweltering soldier, than a bottle of refreshing Thomson soda.

Is it a mirage?! This is an attractive example of patriotic advertising, used often during the First World War (other examples in the collection include advertisements for Kaka Ale, Hancock's "Imperial" ale, Aulsebrook's Biscuits. It is also interesting that postcards were used for advertising at that time; this format also became common in the mid-late 1990s.

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A theatre café in Auckland, 1913

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:43:58 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Messenger Bros, Study your health!!! Our tea rooms are the cosiest in the city, 1913, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-A-CINEMA-1913-01-10

A fine figure in animal skin, a touch of humour and a rather cheeky smile combine to attract the eye to this little advertisement.

The health food bandwagon and the backing of the scientific community is also used to draw the public’s attention to the food on offer at this tea rooms, including icecream, fruit salad, cream, and iced drinks.

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Taxis come to Wellington, circa 1909

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:43:23 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Model of Zedel Car no. 90, the "Zedel" taxi cab, circa 1910, Photolithograph, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-B-MOTOR-VEHICLE-1910-01

An evocative advertisement from around 1909-10 with an art nouveau flavour explains the luxuries of the Zedel taxi cab. The driver, George Fernandos was likely from the Greek Fernandos family, Wellington fishmongers, and began work as a chauffeur in Wellington in 1909. The taxi-cab industry had barely begun late in that year.

From the Evening Post, 22 November 1909, Page 6:

"Constables, armed with stop-watches, have recently been stationed along the main thoroughfares of Newtown, in order to regulate the traffic and to detect any offences against the bylaws. As a result, the drivers of two motor-cars were to-day convicted in the Magistrate's Court for driving at a dangerous speed. One of the offenders — George Fernandos — was the chauffeur of taxicab No. 70, owned by Messrs Reid and Keene. According to the official timekeepers, he drove his car at a speed of twenty-three miles per hour from Constable-street to Riddiford-street, and twenty-seven miles thence to John-street, or an average of twenty-five miles an hour. In entering a plea of not guilty, Mr P. W. Jackson, who appeared for defendant, urged that the car was not geared up to such a high rate of speed. Sub-Inspector Norwood contended that, being on the down-grade, the vehicle had gathered the speed mentioned. Defendant was fined 40s, with costs 9s,- in default, seven days' imprisonment."

A year later, Mr Fernandos was adjudged bankrupt, owing to some business failures, first in Napier from 1906-1908 and then as a chauffeur in Wellington.

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A Christchurch nursery, 1904

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:42:46 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Nairn & Sons Ltd, Plant catalogue [cover], 1904-05, `Lithograph, coloured 240 x 182 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-A-HORTICULTURE-Nairn-1904-01-cover

Somewhat reminiscent of William Morris foliage designs in its shallow depth of field, this 1904 sales catalogue cover attracts with its warm vibrant colour. At the lower right is an illustration of the seal showing that the nursery had a special Royal appointment.

C M Banks, the printer of many beautiful colour images at the time, lithographed the cover.

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D.I.C. at Christmas, 1901

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:42:17 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

Drapery and General Importing Company of New Zealand Ltd, Xmas and New Year gifts, 1901, Letterpress and Japanese woodblock print, on Japanese paper 203 x 290 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-B-RETAIL-1901-01

About fifteen years later, this pamphlet reflects a trend for Japonaiserie at the time. It advertises goods for Christmas, some imported from America, Japan and the East, and is illustrated with Japanese woodcuts of fans, curtains, women in traditional dress.

It is printed on Japanese paper, possibly even printed in Japan, and. The Evening post of 16 December 1901 advertised “D.I.C. Christmas Show... toys and presents; Old Father Christmas, Daily, at 3 p.m.... 10,000 new toys useful and amusing, at the D. I. C.”

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A prizewinning Christchurch confectioner, 1880s

nobody@flickr.com (National Library NZ on The Commons) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:41:27 -0700

National Library NZ on The Commons posted a photo:

William Mouldey (Firm), W. Mouldey. Mixed lollies, confectionery of all descriptions, 1883-1890, One-colour (blue) relief print on flyer, 287 x 219 mm, Printed Ephemera Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: Eph-B-CONFECTIONERY-1885-01

This proud arrangement of even more ornate typography and some illustrative elements, with its curving lines of lettering shows an advance in layout, and the influence of Victorian graphic style. Note the scalloped border, leaf decoration, and the scroll across the centre featuring a medal gained in the New Zealand International Exhibition in 1882.

The Christchurch star reports that Mr Mouldey supplied the lollies for Christmas dinner parties for inmates of the Armagh Street Charitable Aid Depot in 1884 and 1885.

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