Summary
Small black hair comb belonging to Fredric Tolksdorf and contained in the pocket of a quilt (HT 57607) made by Julienne Tolksdorf (nee Precious) in 2003 at her home in Moonee Ponds in memory of her husband Fredric (Ferdinand on his passport) who died in 2001. The quilt has been made from shirts which had belonged to Fredric and also includes fabric-printed photographs of him and their son Christopher (who died in 2010). The pocket also contains Fredric's German passport (HT 57607.1) and a Deutschmark coin (NU 49823). The pocket has a silver Victorian Railways button taken from his work uniform.
The images reproduced on the quilt include: Fredric from his passport photo, likely taken to come to Australia in 1952; Christopher and Fredric in their Moonee Ponds home, probably taken by Julie Tolksdorf, 4 November 1996; Fredric in front of a derelict tin shed possibly turning on a tap or indicating the condition of the building, probably taken by Julie Tolksdorf, 24 July 1999; Fredric most likely on a boat trip on a German river during the couples' trip to Germany, taken by Julie Tolksdorf, 18 March 1996.
Physical Description
Small black plastic hair comb originally stored in pocket of quilt made from shirts, with a passport and a Deutschmark coin. Pocket has a silver Victorian Railways button.
Significance
The maker's own story is entwined with her husband through the creation of the quilt using an artform of particular importance to her that she loved, demonstrating her skill as she created the canvas on which to highlight her husband's life while she herself remained in the background. It is a tangible expression of love.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
Migration & Cultural Diversity, Clothing & Textiles, Home & Community, Leisure, Images & Image Making
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Maker
Mrs Julienne Tolksdorf, Moonee Ponds, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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In Memory Of
Mr Fredric Tolksdorf, Moonee Ponds, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Inscriptions
Painted/printed: 'JOSE'
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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
154 mm (Length), 35 mm (Width), 4 mm (Depth)
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Keywords
German Immigration, German Communities, English Immigration, Needlework, Crafts, Hair Combs