Summary

A tin containing six biscuit cutters including a club, heart, diamond, spade, and two outlines of Australia in different sizes, and a recipe for Centenary Shortbread. The item was produced as a souvenir of the Centenary of Melbourne & Victoria, in 1934.
This tin of biscuit cutters is one of many souvenirs produced to commemorate the Centenary of Melbourne & Victoria in 1934-35. Many of the souvenirs were domestic items: razor strops, notebook covers, plates, etc., to be used and displayed within the less-public parts of the home. This tin is designed for use in the kitchen, not for display in a souvenir cabinet. The use of the motifs from a pack of cards suggests that it was aimed particularly at women who were catering for card afternoons, bridge parties, etc.

Physical Description

Tin, rectangular in shape, containing six tin shapes that could be used to cut out biscuits from dough. Shapes include club, heart, diamond and spade, and two outlines of Australia in different sizes. There is a piece of thick paper, (soiled) on the base of the tin: on one side is the recommended placement of the shapes, and on the other side (readable when the tin is inverted) is a recipe for 'Centenary Shortbread'. The top of the tin is printed in shades of blue, gold, black and red, with images of the four suits and a map of Australia.

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