When the threat of war in 1914 became a reality, this series of cards for the armed forces was produced to give pleasure and a reminder of home to the diggers overseas.
Nutcote: Home of May Gibbs
Nutcote was the harbourside home of the famous children's author and illustrator May Gibbs. It was built to her design in 1925 by acclaimed Sydney architect B.J Waterhouse. She lived there for forty four years until her death in 1969. Following a nation-wide outcry at the proposed demolition by a developer, the house was bought by the North Sydney Council and opened to the public in 1994.
Address:
5 Wallaringa Avenue, Neutral Bay, NSW
Tel:
0299534453
Hours:
11am-3pm Wed to Sun
Website:
Email:
Admission:
Adults $7, Children (over 3yrs) $3, Concession $5, Family of four $17, Groups of 10 or more $5 each.
Facilities:
Shop, café, guided tours, education programs, house and garden
Collection:
May Gibbs' property and possessions were sold on her death and the funds given to children's charities. The main items in the collection are the house itself and the garden; some items of furniture originally in the house have been located and returned, but most furnishings and paintings have been faithfully replaced with similar items.
Items
Postcard
Creator:
May Gibbs
Description:
9cm x 14cm colour postcard, reverse shows address of recipient. A typical example of May Gibbs' "bush babies" drawing.
Date:
1914-1940
Nutcote Garden
Dorothy Perkin's Roses
Creator:
May Gibbs and her husband J. O. Kelly
Description:
These roses, planted by May Gibbs, climb on the side fence, flanked on the other side of the path by beds of annuals. Other roses trees and shrubs in the front garden contrast with rockeries and native plants (original Banskia and Casuarinas) in the harbourside garden.
Date:
1930s
These roses are one of the few original plants still surviving. Other plantings and the trellises replace those known from records/letters, photographs etc) and the memories of May Gibbs' family and friends of how she had established the garden.
House
Nutcote
Creator:
May Gibbs with Architect B.J. Waterhouse
Description:
Stucco yellow walls, arched windows and blue/green shutters. Consists of central large living room with two bedrooms and studio to the left; dining room, kitchen, bathroom and spare bedroom. Veranda looks down the harbourside garden to the water.
Date:
1925
The interior has an early English/Baronial character with the generous use of dark stained timber joinery of either Californian Redwood or Cedar. The flooring is Jarrah.
Paint Box
May Gibbs Paintbox
Description:
Metal Paintbox H155mm x W310mm x D40mm contains 4 compartments, oval shaped latch handle lid.
Date:
1900
Contains two rags, wooden palette, tubes of paint and brushes. On loan from Mr and Mrs Shand.
Easel
May Gibbs Painting Desk
Description:
Adjustable wooden easel on a wooden stand with built in drawer and desk, shown in her studio at Nutcote.
Date:
1910
This desk was used by May Gibbs when working on her books (Snugglepots, Cuddlepie, Little Ragged Blossom, the story of Little Obelia, Prince Dandelion etc) On loan from Dr and Mrs Shand