Life's A Beach

Couldn't resist this Crown Devon dish from a series called The Beach, bought from an antique store in Esk (which, ironically is no where near a beach).

It's 30cm in length with a smooth red back and a stucco face with hand painted beach balls, bucket and spade, a deck chair and bathing machine popular during the time when beach belles didn't stroll nonchalantly half-naked to the water to take a dip.

Crown Devon started in 1870 and its life came to an end in 1982 with the last 60 years of its work more producing novelty and souvenir pieces. More history is here.

According to an eBay listing, a Crown Devon jug from the same collection, Antigua Stucco, dates to the 1950s, so it's reasonable to assume that this dish is about the same age.

Cute - but it's the closest I've been to the beach all summer!

Looking Smart In Tweed

Nifty Knick Knacks are back!

It has been a very long hiatus from sifting through all things nifty and from blogging in general - but that's life - it happens when you least expect it.

While the updates have dried up, the collecting hasn't. While Nifty Knick Knack postings will be a little less frequent than before, there will be at least two updates a week.

One thing which has been lovely is discovering that we have no where near exhausted the supply of Gold Coast souvenirs. There's at least another four in the collection and they'll be profiled over the next few weeks.

This one is the most recent in our collection thanks to a last minute eBay bid.
It's a candy dish with what seems to be a 1930s view looking north-east along Wharf Street across the New South Wales border town of Tweed Heads to its adjoining 'twin', Coolangatta in Queensland.

From the Gold Coast City Council's local studies library is the photograph on which this transfer print is based.



Of course, none of the buildings found in this picture exist any more but that's just par for the course on the Coast.

Here is a Google map reference for that street.

There used to be a Myer store on that street, just on the New South Wales side of the border but that closed down in the late 1970s when Tweed Mall, now Centro Tweed was opened.

That Myer was the only one for 120km and in the days before Pacific Fair Brisbane or Tweed were your only choices for upmarket furniture and household items not quite as upmarket or as old money as David Jones mind, but very flash for a working class family all the same.

My mother bought this in the mid 1970s from that very Myer. Here's some info on it from one of our links, Retro Select.



I don't recall the occasion, except as a child a trip aaalllll the way into NSW was a day-long adventure.

I do remember is being fascinated by fabulous coin operated carousel dappled horse that sat outside the store.

According to the pillar box red coin box was sixpence a ride, even though pounds, shilling and pence had gone a decade earlier.

What a bargain I thought, it used to be sixpence now it's five cents!

Good Thing It Was A British Explorer

Australia Day isn't until three and a bit weeks but one couldn't resist the temptation to go with this image early.

It is the third plate in the lovely Ladybird book series Flight One Australia.

The image is supposed to depict Captain James Cook landing at Botany Bay in 1770 but in fact it bares more resemblance to the portrait of Captain Phillip Arthur who settled at Sydney Cove on January 26 1788.

Note the difference between the naval ensign and the Union Jack in each of the portraits and this image.

Here's some text from the facing page in the book:

"They had an idea there was land here," said Mrs Spencer. "The old maps only had vague lines drawn on this part of the world and it was called the 'Unknown Land'. Three of four hundred years ago seamen from England, Portugal, Holland and France discovered the other side, but it was such a barren land they they didn't bother about it."

"Captain Cook came the other way," said Mike. "He sailed around South American and across the Pacific and landing in this bay. He was so excited about all the new plants he found that he called it Botany Bay."

"What a good thing it was a British explorer," said John.

Yes.

Yes indeed it is, John.

What an Adventure!

Wow, we're looking at the cockpit of a passenger liner that's half a century old with technology largely developed during World War Two.

In fact the cockpit looks as uncomfortable and as utilitarian as a bomber.

Judging by the the line art on the book's cover (see the link below), it is reasonable to believe the plane is a De Havilland Comet 4B.

This is the second colour plate from Ladybird's Flight One Australia.

What an adventure it was! First they flew right across Europe, and on over the desert and mountains of Iraq and Persia. The plan stopped for an hour at Karachi in Pakistan and then went on eastwards across India, the land of the striped tiger and the lordly elephant.

Come Fly With Me

Nick and Nora went on a little camping adventure last weekend and stopped off at the markets of a little country hamlet called Jimna.

Well markets, is somewhat over stating things, it was more like a second hand, second hand store in the local public hall.

Sadly it would appear that Jimna's best days as a timber milling town are behind it, but that's a blog for another time.

For 50 cents, Nora picked up this little 1958 Ladybird children's book Flight One Australia, the first of a series of six books which introduced geography to six year old readers.

The text is engagingly trite - just as you'd expect a children's book from half a century to read.

The great air-liner stood at the end of the runaway, ready for the journey right across the world to Australia.

Among the passengers were two very ecitied children, Alison and John. John sat beside Daddy and Alison was in the seat in front, next to a tall suburned gentleman.

The stranger pointed tot he ravellingbag on Alsion's lap, marked B.O.A.C. "I see you've got your tucket-bag,"aid. "Tucker-bag is an Australian word, it means food-bag."

"Oh, I see," said Alison. "Are you a real Australian?"

Unfortunately the paper dust jacket is long gone from this edition, but the colour plates are just as beautiful as ever. The one illustrated here is one presumes an idealistic view of the white cliffs of Dover.

This will be the first in a series on this book.

Winter Wonderland

Well winter is here and it's been a terrific excuse to bring out those winter coats - even if they only get worn at the beginning and end of the day.

We're spoiled here in Queensland. Winters typically mean crisp mornings, blue sky fine days and chilly evenings - very bearable all in all.

Posting on Nifty Knick Knacks is sporadic as real life duties overtake - the good news is there have been plenty of vintage books Nick and Nora have uncovered from long neglected boxes.

But if you're short of things to do, we recommend taking a look at Nick and Nora's Lovely Link List - there's a new entry, the bitingly acerbic What Not To Crochet and don't forget to look at Archive - plenty of radio plays, TV shows and old movies. They're all out of copyright and all completely free to download.

Back to our label. Who know what concoction this label held, so here are a couple of Winter Punch recipes to see us through the three months ahead.

Winter Punch Bowl
2 litres apple cider
500ml ginger ale
Juice of two lemons
Juice of two oranges
Ice (optional)
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 orange, thinly sliced
In a large punch bowl, combine cider, ginger ale and juices. Add ice if you wish and garnish with fruit slices

What A Dish!

Nicky is such a romantic.

He knew the perfect thing to buy me for our wedding anniversary - this 1950s Crown Devon Dish.

It's part of the Gaiety Grill collection, a whimsical series of serving dishes and platters illustrated with fruits, vegetables and sausages entertaining around the grill.

According to Retro Select, the pieces are relatively rare. But their rarity value means less to Nick and Nora than having a fun talking point around the family barbecue.

If you're interested in the interior and homeware design of the period, just a wuick peek at some of Sir Terence Conran's charming and iconic pieces.

A Touch Of Frost

For a girl growing up in the 1970s there was nothing more special then being allowed to occasionally have your fingernails painted with mum or gran's own nail polish.

In Nora's mind at least there was nothing more glamorous than a Cutex nail polish bottle. No small and stumpy brush handle here - just look at the long handle with its waist nipped in by the gold band.

Perfect for controlling the polish.

Sadly it looks like Cutex is now out of the colour game, instead now concentrating on the all important nail polish removal and general nail care.

BTW, gotta love the names of these colours - Aurora Lights, Blushing, Silver Frost, Wicked White, Nearly Pink, Amethyst, Virgin Pink and Snow White - it can't be easy to differentiate between so many similar hues.

Advertisement - Australian Women's Weekly, February 26, 1969. Click for a larger image.

Are Friends Electric?

Early experiments with electric toothbrushes were a failure.

Following reports that children all over the world were being electrocuted (see exhibit A at left), electric toothbrush manufacturers were forced to revise their 240V mains powered models.

Advertisement from The Australian Women's Weekly February 26, 1969.

Skittish

I've never seen two people looking more raputous at the thought of undies.

The famous "Stretchy Seat" that gives with every move, never creeps or binds.

That quick-adjusting, gap-proof fly and the full cut pouch with its gentle support are mighty welcome, too!

Fear not, there's something for the little woman as well (apart from what's lurking in the full cut pouch):

Not only no buttons - but nothing to iron - and they wash in nothing flat!

Wear? Why, lady, those seams are reinforced - stronger than the material itself!

Besides - admit it - SKIT-Trunks would add to his appearance...

Despite this, the ad, from a February 1948 edition of Saturday Evening Post, is a lot less creepy than this 1970s Jockey ad.

Mortgage Stressed

How times have changed.

Or not.

The average weekly wage in Australia today is $1110.20
The average (male) weekly wage in Australia in 1969 was $48.78

The population of Australia today is 21,000,000
The population of Australia in 1969 was 12,000,000

The average house price today is $412,500
The average house price in 1969 was $15,000

First home buyers grant today is $7000
First home buyers grant in 1969 was $500

The Australian Women's Weekly, February 21, 1969. Click for a full view.

Who's Talent On Display

You know your product is groovy when The Who write lyrics about it. Even more surprisingly is, despite the 'endorsement', the brand still lives:

...She was happier than
she'd ever been
As he praised her for
her grace
But his expression
changed, she had seen
As he leant to kiss her
face

It ended there
He claimed a late
appointment
She quickly turned
To hide her
disappointment
She ripped her
glittering gown
Couldn't face another
show, no
Her deodorant had let
her down
She should have used
Odorono

Odorono could have
saved your day
Could have helped her
to get the part
Odorono and he would
have stay
To help her to save her
heart

It comes from the album The Who Sell Out,

If your mum knew that, she'd never let you buy that product.

You know she doesn't approve of that band and wishes you wouldn't play your records so loud but it was the final straw when she saw your latest boyfriend show up in something called a 'panel van'.

The only way you are allowed out with Sir Shags-alot, young lady, is if he keeps the armour on during the date.

Advertisement from the Australian Women's Weekly, February 21, 1969

We're Men... We're Men In Jocks!

Some how one feels that this post ought to come with a content advisory warning.

There's something... disturbing about these male models.

Almost as if they like grooming themselves in the company other half dressed men.

Homo-erotic subtext aside - our heroes appear in the October 1973 edition of Australia's Modern Motor magazine and Sydney's gay and lesbian mardi gras was a still a sparkly sequin in some rent boy's eye - depiction of men's unmentionables has changed dramatically in 35 years.

Unless there is a celebrity (usually sporting) attached, men's undies today are depicted somewhat anonymously with no scary heads to distract from the, shall we say, business end.

If you've not been put off by frightening 70s fashions, then check out James Lileks frolic through the 1973 Sears Fall/Winter catalogue that he's subtitled Le Chic, C'est Bleak.

Flushed With Success

Overheard in an advertising creative meeting in 1948:

Ad man 1: So how are we going to sell toilet cleaner to the little woman?

Ad man 2: What do these broads like any way?

Ad man 3: My wife is always going on about Hollywood movie stars.

Ad man 2: Run through what this stuff is supposed to do will ya Bob.

Ad man 3: Well she sprinkles this stuff into the toilet bowl and it's supposed to have this fast acting ingredient.

Ad man 1: (Clicks fingers as inspiration strikes. A light bulb magically appears over his head and glows but appears only to the other ad men in the room. A secretary brought in to capture the killer idea just rolls her eyes.)

That's it! Acting!

Her ACTIONS put this cleaner in the bowl and the fast ACTING ingredients make it work!!

We'll make cleaning the toilet as glamorous as them Hollywood pictures!!!

Ad from the February 21, 1948 edition of Saturday Evening Post. Don't forget to click the image for a larger view.

Berry Nice

Amongst Nick and Nora's eclectic collection are tea and coffee services of various vintages purchased purely because they look lovely.

The first in this showcase is this miniature unglazed tea set designed to look like strawberries. Nick and Nora bought it at auction for about $15 and we were the only bidders.

The tea pot, creamer have gold twig-like handles and strawberry leaves for spouts and saucers as well as being liberally decorated with strawberry flowers.

It's stamped Japan on the bottom of the tea pot but contains no other markings and possibly dates back to the 1960s.

Quite trippy really.

Speaking of 1960s and trippy, savour the film clip for the Beatles' complex and richly evocative 1967 hit Strawberry Fields Forever while enjoying a Strawberry Blond:

Strawberry Blond
1 oz strawberry liqueur
Ginger ale
1 teaspoon sugar
1 whole strawberry
Put a thin rim of sugar around a chilled cocktail glass. Then put crushed ice into glass. Pour strawberry liqueur over ice, add Ginger Ale to fill. Add strawberry for decoration.

Sven And The Art of Interior Design

Ja, etz tru, ze 1960s und 1970s intro-duced to der werld lotz things Swedish.

Zer is der gud: The Saint Volvo, ABBA, naughty movies, good interior design, the Swedish chef.

Und ze bad: The boxy Volvo, the welfare state and Ikea.

Diz foto iz part of der bad.

As seen in 1972's Conde Nast's The Bride's Guide and is entry number three in Nick and Nora's Nifty Knick Knack homage to bad bathrooms.

All At Sea?

Actually this bathroom isn't too bad compared to the monstrosity featured last week.

The upright fluoro tubes on the walls by the mirrored cabinet are a little dated but that would be about it.

It has the clean lines that most of us have come to expect in modern bathrooms.

The bold pattern in the flooring isn't competing with the walls. It has a strong ocean liner/art deco look which holds particular appeal for Nick and Nora. The SOE monogrammed towels and shower curtain may be a little too much for some but it all adds to the fun.

Class, all the way.

It Won't Wash

As a young newlywed how do you redecorate a small bathroom in an older home?


That's right - introduce even more colour and pattern! From the 1972's The Bride's Guide:

The small square bathroom typical of many found in big old houses, is brightened effectively by use of bold yellow (shudder) patterns on the wallpaper and tiles (Yes, but not both. Certainly not two hideously clashing patterns). The bath is panelled to match the splashback, and a splendid old mirror has been fitted to reflect and enlarge the room. (The mirror, suspended commode and basin are perhaps the only things worth keeping in this monstrosity).

Forever Young

Amongst the things on loan from Nora's grandmother is this antique pressed and embossed paper photo frame which held a photograph of her father and mother.

It is one of the few keepsakes she has of her mother who died when her only daughter was young. We'll try to find the photo to profile in Nifty Knick Knacks some time in the future

Although in quite solid condition it is, as one might expect, discoloured from almost a century of life and several moves, including a trip from Ireland to the UK and then from the UK to Australia.

Originally it would have been bright white with hand tinted pick and white flowers.

A quick Google search returns nothing on the name of the seller in the bottom right of the frame -

Miniature Art Co
77. Aungier St.
Dublin

On site now - a computer accessories company Back From The Future.

Juicy Fruit

There are some people who are dismissive of Australian history.

...The Aborigines didn't leave the written word or great ancient cities to attract archaeologists... European settlement is too recent to be of interest to the historian.

It's a short-sighted view that ignores the fact that even yesterday is history and has something worth preserving.

It's the reason Nick and Nora started Nifty Knick Knacks.

Today's label, crisply printed and colours still fresh and lush, is from the Eckerlsey and Sons of Melbourne whose name joins the archive of the lost and forgotten in terms of early Australian manufacturing.

According to Aussie Bottle Digger:

Eckersley operated from 226 King St Melbourne until 1900 them moved to 214 Queens St. In 1906 they moved to Bourke St Melbourne, another move saw them operating from Claredon St South Melbourne where they stayed until 1935.
They also produced Aerated Water Manufacturing Machinery.
This was a large company and they had many different styles of bottles.

One of which can be see here.

A large Australian manufacturing company that disappeared after 1935.

Isn't that a mystery worth exploring?