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Collection

97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 2 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 3 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 4 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
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    Image 5 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 6 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 7 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 8 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 9 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 10 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 11 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 12 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 13 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 14 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 15 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 16 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 17 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 18 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 19 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 20 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 21 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 22 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 23 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 24 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 25 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 26 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 27 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 28 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 29 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 30 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 31 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 32 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 33 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 34 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 35 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 36 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 37 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge
  • Image 38 of 38, 97/132/1 Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894. Click to enlarge

Maggie’s ABC book

Made by Harrison, William in Australia, Oceania, 1894.

This hand-drawn children’s alphabet book features delightful pen, ink and water colour drawings and was made in 1894 by 30-year-old William Harrison. (William went on to be an Art Director and later Advertising Manager for the Australian firm of Wunderlich, famous makers of terracotta roof tiles and stamped metal ceilings).

The ABC book was made for Harrison’s young niece, Maggie Harrison, who lived near Bath in England. It includes a clever combination of British and Australian images such as ...

Summary

Object No.

97/132/1

Object Statement

Book, alphabet, hand-drawn, hand-coloured, paper/cloth, made by William Harrison, [Melbourne], Australia, 1894, used by Maggie Harrison, Twerton on Avon, Bath, England, 1894

Physical Description

This hand-drawn and hand-coloured children's alphabet features pen and ink and water colour drawings. The book is cloth bound with the inscription on the cover : ABC Maggie Harrison 1894. Inside front cover is inscription : Miss Maggie Harrison Argyle Terrace Twerton on Avon England Bath. On facing page is globe showing England at top and Australia at bottom with ribbon with inscription : Maggie from Uncle Will 1894. British and Australian coat of arms have been drawn at opposite corners. The title page has inscription : Maggie's ABC.

Inside each page has a hand-drawn and coloured letter of the alphabet with accompanying illustration. Thus A : Apple, Ant, Australia has drawing of apple orchard and apples with tiny ants in the foreground. Australian/British themes are preserved throughout. After the alphabet comes a clock surrounded by examples of colours, numbers from 1 to 12, the alphabet in upper case, the alphabet in lower case, the months of the year and directions on a compass and finally 'Evening Prayer'. The last page illustrates a collection of children's toys including Noah's Ark, a boat and sailor doll, ball and doll.

Marks

Inscriptions, front cover, top left, hand printed black ink "ABC", front cover, bottom right, hand printed black ink "Maggie Harrison/1894", inside front cover, top left, hand printed black ink "Miss Maggie Harrison/Argyle Terrace/TWERTON on AVON/ENGLAND, BATH".

Short URL

https://ma.as/155534

Dimensions

Height

102 mm

Width

155 mm

Depth

10 mm

Production

Notes

The alphabet book was drawn by William Harrison (1864-1923) when he was 30 years of age for his English niece, Maggie Harrison, of Twerton on Avon, near Bath, in the County of Avon. William Harrison was born in England in about 1864 and arrived in Australia as a young man. He began his working career with the Melbourne furniture supplier, W H Rocke & Co Ltd of 247-249 Collins Street. In 1889 the Wunderlich brothers had sold their patent rights for pressed metal ceilings to this firm only to purchase it back again in 1893. The company merged with Wunderlich in 1908 and became Wunderlich Ltd. By 1904 Harrison had been transferred to Sydney with Wunderlich. He spent the rest of his working life with the firm and rose to become an Art Director and later Advertising Manager before he died in 1923 at the age of 59 years.

Made

Harrison, William Australia, Oceania 1894

History

Notes

This alphabet book was made by 30-year-old William Harrison for his niece Maggie, the daughter of his older brother, Frank Harrison, who was then living near Bath, England. Maggie came out to Australia but returned to England as a young woman and died there of influenza. Maggie's sister, Kathleen, moved to Australia and brought the book with her. When she was in her 50s or 60s Kathleen gave the book to her cousin Helena Harrison, William Harrison's daugher, who treasured and kept it. The book was presented to the Museum in 1997 by Helena Harrison of Mont Albert, Victoria.

Source

Credit Line

Gift of Miss Helena Harrison, 1997

Acquisition Date

12 May 1997

Cite this Object

Harvard

Maggie's ABC book 2018, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 24 March 2019, <https://ma.as/155534>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/155534 |title=Maggie's ABC book |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=24 March 2019 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}
Creative Commons Licence

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Incomplete

This object record is currently incomplete. Other information may exist in a non-digital form. The Museum continues to update and add new research to collection records.

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