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| ruth_s_autograph_book [2025/01/07 11:55] – judith | ruth_s_autograph_book [2025/02/04 09:34] (current) – judith |
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| Emma and Fiona Cullen-Ward have a battered album that we would call an autograph book. {{:cover_c_14.4_x_11cmscan_20241206.jpg?200|}}It is 11 x 14.5cm and contains signatures and sketches both on its pages and as loose additions. There are also loose photos tucked into the album. I have put the names of those who signed in bold for easier identification.\\ | Emma and Fiona Cullen-Ward have a battered album that we would call an autograph book. {{:cover_c_14.4_x_11cmscan_20241206.jpg?200|}}It is 11 x 14.5cm and contains signatures and sketches both on its pages and as loose additions. There are also loose photos tucked into the album. I have put the names of those who signed in bold for easier identification.\\ |
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| The best indication of its owner is the following page: {{:to_ruth_scan_20241206_3_.jpg?200|}} It reads: 'To Ruth. I love you. Not because your face is fair/And sweet & gentle too. But because you are yourself/So good & kind and true. **Jo Collingridge**. "St Cloud" Ryde 11th Feb. 1901." This declaration narrows the ownership to Ruth and almost certainly to Ruth Murray-Prior. It is also a reminder that we can be more inhibited than our forebears because our society is more sexualised. So this open and quite public declaration of love could be lesbian (at a time when homosexuality was illegal and largely considered deviant), but more likely referred to an openly loving friendship. \\ | The best indication of its owner is the following page: {{:to_ruth_scan_20241206_3_.jpg?200|}} It reads: 'To Ruth. I love you. Not because your face is fair/And sweet & gentle too. But because you are yourself/So good & kind and true. **Jo [or Lo?] Collingridge**. "St Cloud" Ryde 11th Feb. 1901." This declaration narrows the ownership to Ruth and almost certainly to Ruth Murray-Prior. It is also a reminder that we can be more inhibited than our forebears because our society is more sexualised. So this open and quite public declaration of love could be lesbian (at a time when homosexuality was illegal and considered deviant), but more likely referred an openly loving friendship. The little book has another contribution by **Jo [Lo?] Collingridge** - this drawing of a Japanese musician: {{:japanese_drawing_scan_20241206_2_.jpg?400|}} The Collingridge family who lived at St Cloud were Arthur and his wife Margaret and their 12 surviving children. The identity of the person is unclear. My assumption is that a young man would not write such a declaration unless they were family or engaged/married. That leaves 4 possibilities as Arthur and Margaret only had 4 daughters: Maud b.1874; Louisa b.1875 (known in the family as Googs); Mary b. 1877 (known in the family as Bobbie); and Anne b. 1880 (known in the family as Darkie.((Winsome Collingridge, email to J. Godden,3/2/2025)) The most likely of these is Louisa signing herself as 'Lo' - her nickname Googs was perhaps just for her family to use.\\ |
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| The little book has another contribution by **Jo Collingridge** - this drawing of a Japanese musician: {{:japanese_drawing_scan_20241206_2_.jpg?400|}} The (probably unrelated) autograph on the facing page is by **Lilian Graham** but it is not dated. Throughout the book, four other members of the Graham family have signed.\\ | That there are so many sketches in this small album indicates how art was valued by Ruth, her family and friends including the Collingridge family- see [[http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Library/Local-and-Family-History/Historic-Ryde/Historic-Figures/Arthur-Collingridge|Ryde Library]]. It is not known if Ruth herself drew or whether she concentrated her talents on writing. This album are not about masterpieces nor professional artists; rather it indicates the enjoyment amateur artists and others gained from creating and treasuring art.\\ |
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| That there are so many sketches in this small album indicates how art was valued by Ruth, her family and friends including Jo Collingridge's family- see [[http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Library/Local-and-Family-History/Historic-Ryde/Historic-Figures/Arthur-Collingridge|Ryde Library]]. It is not known if Ruth herself drew or whether she concentrated her talents on writing. This album are not about masterpieces nor professional artists; rather it indicates the enjoyment amateur artists and others gained from creating and treasuring art.\\ | |
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| {{:emily_s_paterson_again_scan_20241206_3_.jpg?300|}} {{:emily_s_paterson_scan_20241206_3_.jpg?450|}}These charming paintings are by **Emily Susan Paterson**, Ruth's first cousin who was a talented amateur artist.((Judith Godden, 'The Matriarch of //Rockend//: Emily Mary Barton, more than Banjo Paterson's grandmother', Ryde History Series No 13, Ryde District Historical Society, 2020, pp.20-21. Emily Susan was Emily Mary Barton's daughter.)) \\ | {{:emily_s_paterson_again_scan_20241206_3_.jpg?300|}} {{:emily_s_paterson_scan_20241206_3_.jpg?450|}}These charming paintings are by **Emily Susan Paterson**, Ruth's first cousin who was a talented amateur artist.((Judith Godden, 'The Matriarch of //Rockend//: Emily Mary Barton, more than Banjo Paterson's grandmother', Ryde History Series No 13, Ryde District Historical Society, 2020, pp.20-21. Emily Susan was Emily Mary Barton's daughter.)) \\ |
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| {{:kitty_barton_painting_scan_20241206_2_.jpg?300|}} {{:scan_20241206_2_.jpg?300|}} These paintings are by **Sarah Kate (Kitty) Barton**, another of Ruth's first cousins, and the daughter of Henry Francis (Frank) Barton and Sarah Kate nee Macansh. They lived at //Nyrangie//, Linsley Street, Gladesville. The painting of a boat is done on roughly cut, uneven paper.\\ | {{:kitty_barton_painting_scan_20241206_2_.jpg?300|}} {{:scan_20241206_2_.jpg?300|}} These paintings are by **Sarah Kate (Kitty) Barton**, another of Ruth's first cousins, and the daughter of Henry Francis (Frank) Barton and Sarah Kate nee Macansh. They lived at //Nyrangie//, Linsley Street, Gladesville. The painting of a boat is done on roughly cut, uneven paper.\\ |
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| This painting is signed **EJ Smith** 1902. The 1902 date is not clear, but the autograph on the previous facing page is **Dora Gordon** 18 November 1901. {{:ej_smith_croppedscan_20241206_4_.jpg?300|}}\\ | This painting is signed **EJ Smith** 1902. The 1902 date is not clear, but the autograph on the previous facing page is **Dora Gordon** 18 November 1901. {{:ej_smith_croppedscan_20241206_4_.jpg?300|}}\\ |
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| There are three paintings of boats as if the artist was trying out the best way to depict them - the first one in the book, the others loose. The loose ones are on roughly cut, uneven thick paper. The opposite page to the painting in the book has the autograph **Mabel D Mackenzie** but it is unlikely to be the artist as it is in the far corner from the painting. There is no date to the paintings or autograph.{{:goes_with_2_other_similar_loose_paintings_cropped_.jpg?400|}}; {{:loose_uneven_paper_boat20241227_181707.jpg?400|}}; {{:loose_unsigned_boat.jpg?300|}}\\ | There are three paintings of boats as if the artist was trying out the best way to depict them - the first one in the book, the others loose. The loose ones are on roughly cut, uneven thick paper. The opposite page to the painting in the book has the autograph **Mabel D Mackenzie** but it is unlikely to be the artist as it is in the far corner from the painting. There is no date to the paintings or autograph. {{:20250118_212637_cropped.jpg?400|}} The next two are loose in the album: {{:loose_uneven_paper_boat20241227_181707.jpg?400|}}; {{:loose_unsigned_boat.jpg?300|}} There is a photo of a similar boat on what looks to be the Parramatta River in papers keep with the album. {{:unidentified_scan_20250115_2_.jpg?300|}}\\ |
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| {{:closeup_of_leaf20241221_144324.jpg?400|}}{{:closeup_leaf_other_side_20241221_144338.jpg?400|}} No image I'm capable of taking can do this leaf justice. It's damaged but still exquisite. At first glance it appears to be a pressed leaf complete with all the veins and marks of a real leaf. But pick it up and it feels like the finest silk. It's a burnished gold colour. Was it a souvenir Ruth kept to remind her of Australia during (what turned out to be) the decades she lived overseas?\\ | {{:closeup_of_leaf20241221_144324.jpg?400|}}{{:closeup_leaf_other_side_20241221_144338.jpg?400|}} No image I'm capable of taking can do this leaf justice. It's damaged but still exquisite. At first glance it appears to be a pressed leaf complete with all the veins and marks of a real leaf. But pick it up and it feels like the finest silk. It's a burnished gold colour. Was it a souvenir Ruth kept to remind her of Australia during (what turned out to be) the decades she lived overseas?\\ |
| * **Jennie B. Uther**, a University of Sydney student.(([[https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23176235?search%5Bi%5D%5Bname_authority_id%5D=-193953&search%5Bpath%5D=items]]))\\ | * **Jennie B. Uther**, a University of Sydney student.(([[https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23176235?search%5Bi%5D%5Bname_authority_id%5D=-193953&search%5Bpath%5D=items]]))\\ |
| * **Matne[?] Palmer**, **Grace A. Horrocks[?]** (both signed 14 December 1900); **Ida. M. Mackenzie** 31 May 1902.\\ | * **Matne[?] Palmer**, **Grace A. Horrocks[?]** (both signed 14 December 1900); **Ida. M. Mackenzie** 31 May 1902.\\ |
| * **Constance H. Wilson**; and (in now-faint pencil) **Dorothy Vine Hall** 28 August 1907. Dorothy Vine Hall was the daughter of marine surveyor Captain J. Vine-Hall. She was educated at SGCEGS (Sydney Church of England Grammar School) and graduated with a BA from the University of Sydney in 1907, the same year as Ruth.In 1906 she was appointed teacher at the (Anglican) Bishopthorpe High School in Goulburn.(([[http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/historictabledpapers/files/184169/1907_1_004.pdfexample.com]] and //Goulburn Evening Penny Post//21 July 1906, p.4.))\\ | * **Constance H. Wilson**; and (in now-faint pencil) **Dorothy Vine Hall** 28 August 1907. Dorothy Vine Hall was the daughter of marine surveyor Captain J. Vine-Hall. She was educated at SGCEGS (Sydney Church of England Grammar School) and graduated with a BA from the University of Sydney in 1907, the same year as Ruth.In 1906 she was appointed teacher at the (Anglican) Bishopthorpe High School in Goulburn.(([[http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/historictabledpapers/files/184169/1907_1_004.pdfexample.com]] and //Goulburn Evening Penny Post//, 21 July 1906, p.4.))\\ |
| * **Mollie[?] G. Graham**, 31 January 1902; **T.B. M-Prior** (see relatives list);\\ | * **Mollie[?] G. Graham**, 31 January 1902; **T.B. M-Prior** (see relatives list);\\ |
| | * **Lilian Graham**, no date. A total of five members of the Graham family have signed.\\ |
| * **Peri Macphail**, **Spider Storrock**, **Ruth Amos**, and **Lucy A. Peele** (who also did one of the above drawings) all signed on 2 November 1900. Others choose this page to sign, which suggests a connection: **Amy F. A. Paine**, 31 January 1903; **Mabel G. Green** and **Cara May** (both on 20 November 1900); **Margery M. Marr** and **Ettie Wallach** (both on 24 April 1901).\\ | * **Peri Macphail**, **Spider Storrock**, **Ruth Amos**, and **Lucy A. Peele** (who also did one of the above drawings) all signed on 2 November 1900. Others choose this page to sign, which suggests a connection: **Amy F. A. Paine**, 31 January 1903; **Mabel G. Green** and **Cara May** (both on 20 November 1900); **Margery M. Marr** and **Ettie Wallach** (both on 24 April 1901).\\ |
| * **T.W.[Sir Tannatt William]** [[wp>Edgeworth_David|**Edgeworth David**]] the famous geologist and Antarctic explorer, his wife **Cara David**, and daughter **Margaret Edgeworth David**, later [[wp>Margaret_McIntyre|McIntyre]] and the first woman elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council); and Ethel Davies;\\ | * **T.W.[Sir Tannatt William]** [[wp>Edgeworth_David|**Edgeworth David**]] the famous geologist and Antarctic explorer, his wife **Cara David**, and daughter **Margaret Edgeworth David**, later [[wp>Margaret_McIntyre|McIntyre]] and the first woman elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council); and Ethel Davies;\\ |