Object No.
2010/87/1Object Statement
Picnic case and contents, Rexine cloth / metal / plastic / glass, made by Brexton, England, 1950s, used in Australia, 1950-1989Physical Description
Green Rexine picnic hamper or suitcase, containing a two person afternoon tea picnic set. Picnic set includes: Thermos flask, with cork and cup, 2 cups, 2 saucers; two teaspoons, two glass jars with lids for sugar and milk, and a green painted tin, with hinged lid.
The case is made of green Rexine, a trademark for a polyvinyl upholstery cloth, with black metal handle and silvered metal fittings / studs and clasp and hinges at back which allow the lid to remain upright when open. Lid has white paper lining with blue leather fittings holding 2 saucers and 2 teaspoons.
The thermos is made of cream Bandalasta, (a Trademarked early plastic) with an internal glass vacuum flask. On the base 'Thermos (1925) Ltd. Made in England / London'. The cup is plastic and printed with Thermos Made in England. Registered Trade Mark. Cork stopper has black plastic top. Is now wrapped in cling wrap.
The two cups are also of cream Bandalasta and are nesting ,with a smaller lower section which fits into the other cup. The cup base fits securely into the saucer. A small handle is on the upper section of the cup. On base: 'Bandalasta Regd / 159 / Made in England / (numbers obscured) Reg.BES. 735210 (?)'
The two saucers are of cream Bandalasta plastic, with high sides, and a deeper centre section to hold the cup base securely. On base: 'Bandalasta / Regd / 153 / Made in England.'
The milk jar, is a small rectangular shaped glass jar with a round slightly domed cream lid, with ridged sections on the sides to assist turning. On base of jar, '13927-1 / Brexton / U G B'
The sugar jar is a circular glass jar, with slightly domed lid with ridged flat sections to assist turning. The lid has the original paper liner. On base: 'R 777/? 7 / U G B". It still contains sugar, somewhat solidified, and a broken plastic spoon.
There are two teaspoons which are standard metal silver-plate teaspoons (Old English pattern), with bowl, narrow waist widening to rounded handle end. On the back: 'Grosvenor Plate EPNS At (numbers obscured)'.
The tin is painted green, with a hinged lid, silvered on inside. Originally empty and designed for food, it now contains: A plastic bag which is lining the base and is printed with red lettering: 'New Times / The Monthly publication of the South Australian / Synod of the Uniting Church of Australia. registered by Australia Post-- publication No SAR 0255. If undelivered please return to: New Times, 33 Pirie Street, Adelaide, ?S.A. 5000'; A small glass vial with aplastic lid, containing salt; A used cup cake wrapper, yellow , green and pink dots on white; A small cylindrical glass vial, containing pepper, the label of which reads: '200 "SAXIN' trademark. Tabloid Brand, one or more in place of as many lumps of sugar may be added to tea, coffee, cocoa, etc. Made in England 1794 Ex. Burroughs Wellcome & Co'; a bayonet style tin opener made of steel; a small fruit knife with a brown wooden handle, 'Stainless Steel Japan' printed on the blade; A larger knife, with a brown wooden handle, marked 'Chrome Vanadium. Prestige, Made in England' on the much worn blade; 2 plastic forks, with three narrow tines. One stamped on back with '12', the second '22'; 2 large white plastic 'DECOR' teaspoons, one broken. 'Made in Australia'; One new dish cloth of open weave type; one faded, used but untorn tea towel, with '1980 Calendar, Peace and Plenty', at bottom edge; One detachable handle, cream plastic, use unknown
.Marks
On the outside lid, left hand top corner, written in copperplate letters in white paint/ chalk, now faded, E MP
Clasp stamped with British made/ Pat. No 185363, 173997
Label inside lid: Brexton/ Made in England
On base of Thermos:Thermos (1925) Ltd. Made in England/ London. On lid: Thermos Made in England. Registered Trade Mark.
Cup: On base: Bandalasta Regd/ 159/ Made in England/ (numbers obscured) Reg.BES. 735210 (?)
Saucers: On base: Bandalasta/ Regd/ 153/ Made in England.
Milk jar: on base 13927-1/Brexton/ U G B
Sugar jar: On base: R 777/? 7/U G B.
Teaspoons: Grosvenor Plate EPNS At.