Summary
Ship menu from the TMS Dempo dated 27 July, kept as a souvenir by Robert Salter, of his journey from Austria to Australia. Robert Salter fled Vienna just before the German annexation of Austria in 1938. He left from Rotterdam on the 'Dempo', a holiday ship, on 20 July 1938; then transferred to the SS Nieuw Zeeland in Batavia (Jakarta) on 21 August to travel to Melbourne via Brisbane, arriving in Melbourne on 8 September 1938.
Robert had applied for residency in Australia 5 months before leaving Vienna but could not wait for approval as he was in danger of being arrested. When he arrived in Australia he discovered that his application for residency had been rejected. With the help of William Maloney, a federal Member of Parliament who befriended him, Robert was finally able to obtain permits for himself, as well as for his parents, his fiancee Ida and his friend who had accompanied him on the journey.
Physical Description
Ship menu with full colour front cover featuring an indigenous man from Borneo in traditional costume standing within a tropical landscape. Inside there is a double page full dinner menu, on one page in English; the other page in French.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr Michael Salter, 31 Jul 2008
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Place & Date Used
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User
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Inscriptions
Text, printed front cover: ROTTERDAMSCHE LLOYD/DAJAK (BORNEO).
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
161 mm (Width), 221 mm (Height)
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References
Video interview with Robert Salter particularly regarding his tailoring period in Flinders Lane - conducted by Jewish Museum of Australia for Schmutta Business exhibition, 2002? Article: Salter, Robert 'Flinders Lane.Memory Lane' The Journal of the Australian Jewish Historical Society, Vol 10, Part 7, 1989 Interview transcript: Robert Salter interviewed by son, date?. Copies of selection of photos, including one showing Robert wearing the overcoat in the months before fleeing Vienna.
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Keywords
Clothing Trade, Flinders Lane Rag Trade, Jewish Communities, Jewish Immigration, Refugees, Ship Memorabilia, Shipping Lines, Wars & Conflicts, World War II, 1939-1945
