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Sign with the word "Eternity" written in white chalk on a piece of cardboard painted with blackboard paint

Object type
Signs

Object number
2000.0026.0001

Description
Sign with 'Eternity' written in copperplate writing style in white chalk on a piece of cardboard painted with blackboard paint.

Arthur Stace was a reformed alcoholic who for 35 years was inspired to write 'Eternity' in perfect copperplate in chalk on the streets of Sydney. Many people who lived in, or visited, Sydney between 1932 and 1967, would have seen the word written on footpaths. He wrote 'Eternity' over half a million times.

Collection name
Stan Levit collection

Collection statement of significance
The Eternity symbol has become an Australian icon. The story of Arthur Stace's salvation in Sydney in the 1930s and the appearance of the mysterious 'Eternity' word chalked on street pavers, captured the imagination of the nation.

This Eternity sign is of added significance because it still exists. The ephemeral nature of the medium, the chalked word, means the sign is especially precious and remarkable. This is one of only two examples of Arthur Stace's Eternity still in existence.

Author
Arthur Stace

Place made
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Date made
1960 - 1967
Approximate

Associated person
Thelma Dodds
Stace wrote this example on cardboard for his friend Thelma Dodds

Associated person
Reverend Stan Levit
Thelma Dodds gave this sign to Reverend Levit who preached at the Burton Street Baptist Church in Paddington, Sydney, in 1970

Associated organisation
Burton Street Baptist Church, Darlinghurst
Stace discovered salvation at this church

Place of use
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The sign was owned by Thelma Dodds and then Reverend Levit in Sydney

Place of use
Woy Woy, New South Wales, Australia
Reverend Levit took this sign to Woy Woy when he retired and it was stuck to his back door until 2000

Associated period
1935 - 1967
Period that Arthur Stace wrote 'Eternity' on the streets of Sydney

Materials
Cardboard, Paint - non specific, Chalk

Dimensions
Width: 453mm
Height: 180mm
Depth: 2mm

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