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Childhood & Youth Collection
Image: Knucklebones (1950s)
Source: Museum Victoria
Childhood is common to all humans, but with all the individuality that this brings. The Childhood and Youth Collection contains objects made by children, which reflect their world views, and collections about children and childhood. It also encompasses photographs, documents and audiovisual material, as well as recording material culture and intangibles such as play lore, experiences and ideas.
The collection was begun in the 1980s, and in 2009 comprised around 2237 objects, including games, dolls, toys, school material, clothing and costumes, domestic items, and information on child-related organisations and issues.
A significant component of the collection is the Australian Children's Folklore Collection (ACFC), acquired in 1999. This comprises over 10,000 card files listing children's games, rhymes, riddles, jokes and superstitions, from the 1940s to the present. The collection contains 500 photographs; extensive video and audio collection; over 300 play artefacts; research files and fieldwork files.
The ACFC was placed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register in 2004, which recognises collections of long-term and wide-ranging international significance.
Other significant items:
- The Le Forgeron Marionette Theatre collection - a rare surviving example of the travelling marionette/puppet troupes that regularly toured throughout Australia until the 1960s.
- Sterne Doll Company Collection, including Gerry Gee puppet and paraphernalia, and doll-making materials and equipment.
- The Panaroos Playthings Doll and Toy Museum Collection, featuring items made by Australian companies during the 1930s-1950s.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 61 - 70) 1036 items
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Photograph - Ron Blaskett & Gerry Gee on The Tarax Show, Melbourne, circa 1960
Black and white photograph, depicting Ron Blaskett and Gerry Gee performing on The Tarax Show, circa 1960. This photograph relates to products and promotions of the L.J. Sterne Doll Co ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - Kevin Constantine with Ventriloquist Doll, Melbourne, circa 1960
Black and white photograph, depicting Kevin Constantine with his ventriloquist doll, circa 1960.
Images: 1 -
Photograph - L. J. Sterne Doll Co., 'Patricia' & 'Yvonne' Dolls Display, Melbourne, 1950
Black and white photograph of two Stern dolls in wedding attire. This photograph relates to products and promotions of the L.J. Sterne Doll Company (1939-1971), a Melbourne doll and toy ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - Woman Posing with Toys from L. J Sterne Doll Co., Australia, 1945
Black and white photograph of a woman posing outside with a toy display. This photograph relates to products and promotions of the L.J. Sterne Doll Company (1939-1971), a Melbourne doll ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - L. J. Sterne Doll Co., 'Australia's Finest Dolls', Melbourne, circa 1950
Black and white photograph depicting seven female dolls on display. This photograph relates to products and promotions of the L.J. Sterne Doll Company (1939-1971), a Melbourne doll and ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - The Tarax show, Gerry Gee & Ron Blaskett, Melbourne, circa 1960
Black and white photograph taken of a television screen during The Tarax show. The photo depicts Gerry Gee and Ron Blaskett performing on the show. This photograph relates to products a ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - L. J. Sterne Doll Co., Man Using a Gerry Gee Doll with a Woman & Two Boys Wat ...
Black and white photograph depicting an older man using a Gerry Gee doll. There is an older woman and two boys looking on. They are in an outdoor shelter at a picnic table. This photog ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - L. J. Sterne Doll Co., Mandy, Baby Susie & Lu-Lu Dolls, Carlton, Victoria, 19 ...
Black and white photograph, depicting three dolls made by the L.J. Sterne Doll Company, taken in 1950. This photograph relates to products and promotions of the L.J. Sterne Doll Compan ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - L. J. Sterne Doll Co., Young Girl with Sterne Doll, Carlton, Victoria, circa ...
Black and white studio portrait, depicting a young girl modeling with a doll made by the L.J Sterne Doll Company. This photograph relates to products and promotions of the L.J. Sterne ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - L.J. Sterne Doll Co., Three Fredd Bears, Carlton, Victoria, circa 1965
Black and white photograph, depicting three Fredd Bears made by the L.J. Sterne Doll Company, and a wooden toy train, circa 1965. This photograph relates to products and promotions of ...
Images: 1
