Search the collections
Similar items over time
Cake Design Exercise Book - Karl Muffler, 1929-1948
Reg. No: HT 18079
- Summary:
- Purple covered exercise book containing varying designs hand-drawn in coloured pencil, with the German word 'Torten' (cakes) on the cover. The dates recorded on some of the designs range from 1929 to 1948, with some designs annotated in German. The book was collated and used by Karl Muffler in his work as a pastry chef and confectioner from the 1920s.
This item relates to Karl Friedrich Muffler, qualified pastry chef and confectioner, born in 1900, who migrated to Melbourne from Germany in 1930, aboard the passenger liner 'Balranald'. Muffler quickly established himself in Melbourne, commencing employment with Bill Ikinger (who had recruited and sponsored him) at his cake shop in Brunswick, as well as joining the long-running German establishment 'Club Tivoli'. Muffler went on to establish his own business, 'The Embassy' in Malvern, and in 1939 married fellow German migrant Mathilde 'Hilde' Mayer. At this time they were members of the 'German Labour Front' of which Adolf Mayer (Hilde's father) was president. On 4th September, 1939 Karl Muffler, along with dozens of other German residents (including his father-in-law), was placed into police custody as an enemy alien. He was transferred to Tatura internment camp and while there undertook woodcarving and drafting classes and worked as a cake decorator. He was transferred to a Forestry Commission camp in Broadford, and finally released in 1945. With no family left in Germany he decided to stay in Australia and became naturalised in 1947. After the war, Muffler accepted a position at William Angliss Food Trades School in Melbourne teaching ex-servicemen new skills in cake decoration. He maintained a connection to the German community though Club Tivoli and died in 1996. - Description:
- Purple exercise book with varying designs hand-drawn in coloured pencil, has the word 'Torten' (cakes) on the cover.
Some of the pages are dated but it is unclear as to whether these are the dates on which the sketches were done or if they refer to the date of conception. Dates vary from 1929 to 1948. Some designs are in German. - Acquisition Information:
- Donation from Ms Sue Muffler, 2005
| Discipline: | History |
| Dimensions: | 260 mm (Height), 200 mm (Width) |
More information
| Tagged with: | cake decorating, forestry camps, german communities, german immigration, internment camps, pastry making |
| Themes this item is part of: | Migration Collection, Karl Friedrich Muffler, German Migrant, Pastry Chef & Internee, 1930, Karl Friedrich Muffler, German Migrant, Pastry Chef & Internee, 1930, Karl Friedrich Muffler, German Migrant, Pastry Chef & Internee, 1930 |
| Primary Classification: | TRADES |
| Secondary Classification: | Baking |
| Tertiary Classification: | designs |
| Creator: | Karl Muffler, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1930-1948 The earliest recorded designs date from 1929 (Germany) and the latest 1948. However, Karl may have continued to use the designs well into his professional career in the late 1970s. |
| Creator: | Karl Muffler, Germany, 1929 The earliest recorded designs date from 1929 (Germany) and the latest 1948. However, Karl may have continued to use the designs well into his professional career in the late 1970s. |
| User: | Karl Muffler, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1930s-1970s The earliest recorded designs date from 1929 (Germany) and the latest 1948. However, Karl may have continued to use the designs well into his professional career in the late 1970s. |
Themes
This item is part of the following themes:




Add your question or comment