Summary

Toy drum dating from World War I, with front showing a map of Australia and the Read's store in Prahran. The reverse with the flags of the Allied powers. The drum depicting military scenes and portraits of King George V, Field Marshalls Earl Kitchener and Sir John French.

The dram may have been made by BJ Salute, a tinplate cannister manufacturer which expanded to making toys around World War I. A tambourine probably made by BJ Salute in the late 1910s, with exactly the same flag motif, is depicted in Luke Jones, Australian Toys, 2019, p.11.

This is a wonderful example of the types of patriotic toys available for children during World War I. It is also significant due to its links to iconic Prahran institution Read's Department Store, which was one of a number of emporiums that lined Chapel Street from the early 1900s until the 1950s. It was during this time that Prahran was considered the largest shopping centre outside of the CBD. After the business closed in the 1970s, the building was renovated and reopened as Pran Central. The building was again renovated in the late 1990s to become residential apartments.

Physical Description

Round metal drum with threaded cord zig-zagging around its circumference. The top and bottom sections as as well as the circumference have all been decoratively painted. Surface has some scratches and dents.

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