Brian's exhibition
A selection of Brian and Barbara's old grocery wares and toys was on show in the National Museum's Hall 8−21 January 2007.This slideshow highlights some of Brian's favourite pieces.
Invicta grape and lemon saline tin
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Photo: Dragi Markovic.
| Brian said this 'refreshing saline aperient' appeared on Australian grocery shelves to combat the heat and problems with indigestion.
'Miss Bishop's Famous Cakes' tin
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Photo: Dragi Markovic.
| Brian doesn't know who Miss Bishop is, but he's quite taken by her image. 'I haven't seen many Miss Bishops but I suspect she came out of a small company operating in the back blocks of Sydney', he said. 'A lot of those smaller companies were overtaken by bigger and multinational companies.'
Mettoy racing car
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Photo: Dean McNicoll.
| This turquoise racing car is one of the most valuable tin toys in Brian's collection. He dates it in the 1940s and considers it extra special because of its good condition and a personal association. 'It doesn't wind up or anything, but it's in excellent condition and I do like it because it was given to me by a friend in Wagga,' Brian said.
Futuristic toy car
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Photo: Dean McNicoll.
| Brian dates this green and orange moulded plastic car from the 1950s. He acquired the piece after advertising for old toys about two decades ago.
Mettoy tin car and caravan
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Photo: Dean McNicoll.
| This small car, which was made in Great Britain and bears a German flag on the bonnet, tows a 'Cosicot' caravan with a sliding roof. Brian picked it up three years ago at a Wagga antique shop. 'I was there shopping for cabinets when this piece took my eye', he said.
Harper's Spices model Christmas pudding
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Photo: Dean McNicoll.
| Another of Brian's favourites, he flipped a coin with a mate and won the toss to bid for this plaster promotional piece at an auction in Holbrook. 'I guess it was a counter advertising piece', Brian said. 'People at the sale thought I was queer bidding for it, but I was quite taken by it', Brian said. The pudding also doubles as a money box. 'There's a slot at the top, but nowhere to open it, so I'd guess you'd have to smash it.'
